Using the Family Vacation for College Visits

Family vacations can serve a dual purpose if you have a student thinking about college. Combining your family vacation with college visits can be an enjoyable way to explore potential schools while spending quality time together. Here’s how to make the most of your family vacation for college visits.

Why Summer

While summer may not be the ideal time to visit a campus (fewer students, less sense of the campus “vibe”), it’s still a valid time to see what a college is like. And some folks, such as admission staff or student affairs staff are often more available during the summer to answer questions. In addition, visiting as part of a family vacation is often less stressful for your student than when they’re actively applying. And here’s an important tip: let your student take the lead on the visit with you as an active supporter. This can be the first part of their approaching college like a young adult. Make the most of it!

Before You Plan Your Trip

I’m not suggesting that you change your long-planned trip to some exotic location to travel half way across the county to visit a college your student is thinking of. You can do that if you wish. My focus here is on incorporating college visits into the vacation you’ve already planned. Keep in mind that you could visit a school your student isn’t considering for two reasons. First, that college may offer some of the academic programs your student is interested in. But more importantly, it gives you a benchmark on what things you can look for in future college visits.

While on vacation in Florida years ago, we visited a beautiful school before either of our kids was thinking about colleges. The campus was wonderful as was the academic program, but neither of my kids wanted to attend school on a campus of that small size nor in a waterfront location. This helped them cross a number of potential schools off their lists right off the bat.

Scheduling Visits

Many colleges have specific times for tours and information sessions, which may include meetings with admissions counselors, faculty, and current students. Ask about the possibility of visiting or sitting in on classes, or meeting with faculty in your student’s intended major. Even though it’s summer, many schools will offer these opportunities.

Be Systematic

Agree beforehand to ask questions about academics, campus life, fraternities and sororities, diversity, and other things your student cares about. Be sure to ask about class size, learning resources, and career services, too. Take a critical look at the campus. Does it appear clean and do people seem to care about the place? How do people in the bookstore or library greet you or your student? What you see and hear is likely what your student will be seeing and hearing for four years.

And while you’re at it, have someone—perhaps a sibling—take pictures and notes during your visit. This will help you all remember what you experienced while on that campus.

Connect With the Tour Guide

Our daughter served as an Admissions Ambassador while in college, giving tours and interviews with prospective students. These admissions staffers are excellent resources for you. Sure, they’re likely to be big supporters of their school, but they also understand the importance of finding the right college for each student.

We visited a college years ago with a party school reputation, and I asked the tour guide about that. As I recall, I asked something like: “This school has the reputation as a party school. When you hear that, how do you respond to that?” The tour guide handled the questions well, acknowledging that if students really wanted to find parties, they can find them. But she also pointed out the vibrant campus activity schedule that keeps students focused on the right things. She gave a great response, and volunteered other valuable information during out tour. And if you’re touring with a smaller group—common in summer—you can get many of your individual questions answered. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Don’t Forget the Neighborhood

During your campus visit take a look at the town or city in which the college is located. Would your student be comfortable and welcomed living there for four years? Visiting in summer offers an advantage here. In some communities, there is a tension between the regular towns people and college students. During the school year, many people in town shrug off the tension, given how important the college may be to the local economy. In the summer, however, that veneer of niceness may fade. If your student feels really uncomfortable in the local convenience or grocery store, that should raise at least a yellow flag for them. Students are, after all, attending college within a community, and they should feel comfortable in both.

Reflect on the Experience

After the vacation, take time as a family to discuss the visits. Reflect on what you all experienced during each of the college visits. This is a valuable opportunity to narrow down choices and prepare for applications and future visits. Again, let your student take the lead, but prompt them with questions such as: could you see yourself there for four years? Or, what would you think would be the best or most challenging thing about going to school there? Help them evaluate their experience of this visit so they’re better prepared for making future decisions such as whether to apply to that school or not.

Conclusion

Using a family vacation for college visits can be a rewarding and efficient way to explore college options. With careful planning and a balance of fun and exploration, your family can make the most of the experience, providing valuable insights and memories during your student’s journey to college.