College visits feel productive.

You walk the quad.
You sit in an info session.
You take photos by the sign.

And yet… many families leave visits thinking:

“That was nice — but I’m not sure what we learned.”

Here’s what no one tells you:
College visits are easy to do — and surprisingly easy to waste.

Let’s talk about how that happens, and how to make visits actually matter.

---

Mistake #1: Treating the Tour Like the Decision

A campus tour is a highlight reel.

It shows:

• The prettiest buildings
• The most enthusiastic students
• The best dining hall option

What it doesn’t show:

• Academic rigor in your student’s major
• Advising quality
• Support systems when things get hard

👉 A visit should inform questions, not make the final call.

---

Mistake #2: Visiting Too Late in the Process

Many families wait until senior year — or even after applications are submitted.

By then:

• The college list is already set
• Deadlines are looming
• Visits become emotional instead of strategic

The best visits happen:

• Late sophomore year
• Junior year (especially spring)

👉 Early visits clarify fit before decisions feel urgent.

---

Mistake #3: Asking the Wrong Questions

Most tours cover:

• Housing
• Dining
• Class size (vaguely)

But families forget to ask:

• How easy is it to change majors?
• How accessible are professors?
• What academic support is actually used?
• How do students get internships or research?

👉 The value of a visit depends on the questions you bring.

---

Mistake #4: Ignoring “Fit” Because of Name Recognition

This one is hard — especially for parents.

A recognizable name does not guarantee:

• Student happiness
• Academic confidence
• Graduation in four years

Pay attention to:

• Student energy on campus
• How your child feels after the visit
• Whether your student can picture daily life there

👉 Fit beats prestige every time.

---

Mistake #5: Talking Too Much During the Visit

Parents want to help — but sometimes we unintentionally dominate the experience.

If parents:

• Ask all the questions
• Share opinions mid-tour
• “Sell” the school to their child

Students don’t get space to:

• Reflect
• React honestly
• Form their own opinions

👉 The visit belongs to the student. Parents are guides, not directors.

---

How to Make College Visits Count

A productive visit includes:
✔ A short list of must-ask questions
✔ Time to explore independently
✔ A debrief after leaving campus
✔ Notes taken the same day (memory fades fast)

And most importantly:
✔ Permission for your student to say, “This isn’t for me.”

---

The Truth Families Need to Hear

You don’t need to visit every college.
You don’t need to love a school because others do.
You don’t need to decide anything on the spot.

You just need visits that provide clarity.

That’s how college visits stop being a photo opportunity — and start being a planning tool.

---

💙 College Ready
Calm. Clear. Confident college guidance.