Touring prospective colleges is a rite of passage for many families and an important part of the college admission process.  Here are some tips to help parents plan a successful college visit trip.

Be selective.  Less is actually more when it comes to college visit. Focus on visiting the schools that seem like the best fits for your child while being sure to include a good mix of admission safe bets, realistic matches, and reaches.

Be realistic. Most students find campus visits tiring and a bit overwhelming.  Aim for no more than two campus visits each day; one visit a day is even better, unless the colleges are located very close to each other.  Allow at least three hours for each visit, including time to wander around campus and explore the surrounding area after the official tour.  A visit may take up most of the day if your child is going to be meeting with an admissions officer or a faculty member, sitting in on a class, or attending a more formal admission presentation.  

Be flexible.  Almost every parent who has ever accompanied their child on a college tour has a story about the college (or colleges) where their child simply would not get out of the car.  When this happens, just calmly move on to the next school. 

Blend into the background.  A campus visit is a chance for your child to “try on” their future.  Blend into the background while you’re on campus.  Let your child ask the questions and walk up front next to the tour guide, while you hang in the back of the tour group.  Most important of all: give your child some space and time to walk around campus on their own after the formal tour.

If your child will be interviewing with admissions while you are on campus,  remember this is your child’s interview, not yours!  While most admission officers will invite parents in to say hello at the end of the interview, this is not an invitation to chime in with things you think admission should know about your child. Similarly, if you and your child will be talking to a coach, visiting academic departments, or stopping by the office of disabilities services, let your child take the lead.  This will help your child develop the self-confident, pro-active interpersonal skills necessary for college success.

Visit the financial aid office, the security office, and the career services office.  Most families visit the admission office while on campus, but few think to pay a visit to the financial aid office, the security office, or career services.  Yet, these stops give parents the chance to ask important questions about financial aid, campus safety, and the school’s record of helping graduates find jobs.  These stops are a good time to “divide and conquer.”  Let your child explore the campus while you visit these offices for a quick chat.

Keep an open mind.  Some colleges will likely resonate with you, but not your child – and vice versa.  Expect this, and try to keep an open mind.  Be careful about assuming that your reaction is the right one, or rushing to voice your opinions before your child expresses his or hers.  Help your child reflect on the visit by asking open-ended questions about what they saw, heard, and thought while on campus.  Listen carefully to your child’s reactions before sharing your own impressions.

Enjoy this journey with your child. Yes, this trip is about visiting colleges, but it is also a chance to spend some special time with your child before they head off into adulthood. As you visit colleges together, try to build in some downtime and fun activities that have nothing to do with college and enjoy each other’s company on this exciting journey.