Whether it’s the annual trek to Aunt Martha’s or a vacation in a more exotic locale, the summer months provide an excellent opportunity for families with college-bound children to incorporate a preliminary visit to a college or university into their travel plans.
There’s no substitute for experiencing a college in person. The summer months are a perfect time to accomplish this. Visitors will likely find more one-on-one attention from campus representatives and a great opportunity to explore what the school has to offer.

Even though many college campuses are not bustling with activity during the summer, you can still get a “feel” for college life. Before the actual visit, contact the school’s admissions office and request an interview with a school representative. Decide beforehand what you want to learn about the school, putting together a list of key questions. Use a similar list for every school you eventually visit so you can make comparisons. Here are a few pointers:

• Ask questions. No one can tell you more about a school than the students currently attending. If a particular campus you visit has ongoing summer sessions, ask students you encounter about the campus, what they like and don’t like about the school, what dorm life is like, what campus activities are offered, etc.
• Visit a class in session. If possible, find out if you can sit in on a summer class. Better yet, meet with a professor who teaches in your area of interest.
• Trust your instincts. Pay attention to first impressions. Ask yourself if this is where you want to live and go to school for the next four years? Drive through surrounding neighborhoods and get a feel for the community. Make notes to jog your memory when decision time comes and when something catches your interest follow up with a phone call or e- mail.

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