Q: Some of my friends want to visit college campuses over the summer. But what's the point of visiting a school when it's not in session?

A: While it would be ideal to visit a college on a weekday during the regular academic year, for practical purposes this is not always possible, particularly if the campus is some distance from your home. So summer is a fine alternative, and you can still gain valuable information from campus visits. In the last 20 years or so, college admission offices, as well, have realized that summer is the only time when some families can travel, and they are not only prepared for but welcome prospective students. If you go to the admissions page of any campus website, you will see tour times listed and either a phone number or online form to arrange your visit. Admission offices are open year-round (though rarely on weekends). This schedule allows you to meet staff members, regardless of the time of year you visit the school. Also, tour guides are usually enrolled students, so you can get their perspective about the school.

There are two major goals you can achieve with summer campus visits. First, if you stop at the admissions office and sign in there, the college will have a record of your visit. Later, if you decide to apply for admission, this will be evidence of your "demonstrated interest" in the school (this doesn't guarantee acceptance, of course, but it can be a plus factor). Remember to obtain the business card of the admissions officer who speaks with you. If you have further questions you will have someone specific to contact. <!--more-->

The second goal of the campus visit is to see if the school is physically appealing, well maintained, provides an easy commute, and what the surrounding neighborhood is like. You can sample the campus cuisine and browse through the library and bookstore. Don't simply go on the official admissions tour - wander around a bit to get a feel for the whole campus. You might even be fortunate enough to meet a professor who'd be agreeable to chat for a few minutes about the school. If your schedule allows, you can go back towards the evening (this should only be done by students AND parents together) to see if the campus is well lit and feels secure.

My suggestion would be to save colleges that are nearby for fall visits, and use the summer for schools that are further away. Bring a camera and a notebook so you can record your observations. If you plan to visit a number of colleges, your impressions will start to blur after the first few. Keeping a written record will help you later as you narrow down your college list.