Your kids have done all the research, seen all of the brochures, and even made your suggested list of pros and cons. But they’re still unsure what school they want to apply to. It’s your chance to be the hero and take them on a campus tour. So pack their suitcase, grab a camera, and an inquisitive disposition and let’s find out what your kids need to know about visiting prospective schools.

Web of Influence
Before you make those plane reservations, you may first want to sit down with your child and take a virtual tour; after all, this is the twenty-first century. The latest marketing tool used by schools to attract students comes in a variety of formats, from slide shows to interactive maps with video. Though it may not provide all the answers your son or daughter may be looking for, it could potentially help determine the must-see schools. So the first thing to do is visit the school website and look for the section devoted to prospective students. Of course, you can also head to www.campustours.com, which links to more than 800 U.S. colleges and universities, or www.ecampustours.com, which boasts 1200 virtual tours. There’s even a website that sells independently videotaped campus tours (www.collegiatechoice.com).

Is it Worth it?
According to a poll conducted by the Art & Science Group, 65 percent of prospective college students indicated campus visits were very influential in making their application decisions. So the quick answer to the question “Are they worth it?” appears to be a resounding yes. That same survey from Art and Science found that students visit an average of two or three campuses. Of course, if the schools your kids are interested in checking out are in-state, it’ll no doubt be easier and less pricey to add some more names to the list.

Getting More from your Tour
When your kids come to the decision of what schools they want to tour, make sure they call the admissions department to see if they’ll need a reservation. The best time to head to the campus or campuses of choice is late in your child’s junior year of high school or fall of senior year. Though many students wait for spring break to visit schools, it is recommended that they tour a campus while classes are in session. This is important because they’ll want to talk to the students who attend the school on a regular basis and find out their thoughts. You’ll also want to encourage them to meet with professors, and maybe even sit in on a class.

Remind your kids to ask a lot of questions of the tour guide or admissions department to learn more about the services, like counseling and tutoring, which the college or university may offer. Take them to check out the downtown area to see about possible job opportunities, or consider the corporate landscape to determine potential internships that match their career ambitions. And don’t forget to look at housing. The key is for prospective students to get a really good feel for what life will be like on the campus. That way there will be less surprises when they arrive for their first day.

Advise your kids to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Have them keep their options open, and even if they were wary of a particular campus or just visited it via a virtual tour, encourage them to apply and cover their bases. Support them in taking the lead on this decision, since it will determine where they spend the next four or more years.