College Visit Advice For Parents.

Parents can make a college visit experience either very positive for their child or very negative. During my time in admissions, I saw it both ways. And, you could sense the difference just in everyone's attitude and demeanor.

Parents need to remember that the ultimate objective of a college visit is for their child to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses as a possible best fit for THE CHILD.

In that regard, here's a simple Do and Don't list to help you understand the best ways to support your child during this important time.

DO List.

DO help them to be on time for their visit and to make a courtesy call if you are running behind.

DO talk with them ahead of time about what questions THEY want to ask of a college admissins officer and the tour guide. Trust me, they do have lots of them but sometimes they assume YOU will think they are dumb so they don't ask. By the way, there is no such thing as a silly question.

DO go on the tour with your child. They need to feel that you are there with them.

DO remember to get directions ahead of time! Colleges can be hard to find.

DO check in with the admissions office and make sure it's ok to look around even if you are just passing through and didn't want an organized campus tour.

DO encourage your child to sit in on a class while you are there. No you don't have to do that, too. Ask your child their preference. They may not want you to sit in with them or maybe your child would like your impressions, too.

DO ask questions yourself. Ones that are appropriate parent-related questions. Talk with your child ahead of time about the kinds of questions you plan to ask so they are expecting them.

DO be polite and show respect for the student tour guide no matter what!

DO appreciate the fact that the young admissions counselor who's going to interview your child is sizing you up, too.

DO encourage your child to dress appropriately for a college visit even if they aren't going to have an interview. No, they don't need to wear a dress or a tie. Clean, casual, no t-shirts, no holes are usually good rules to follow.

DO make sure your child sends a thank you note. Not you. One to both the interviewer and the tour guide is a nice touch.

Don't List.

DON'T just sit in the car and wait for your student. They need you by their side and it's more impressive if they take the lead WITH you there.

DON'T participate in the interview with your child. Let them handle this on their own. If you are invited to sit in politely decline. You can ask your questions later or call back another time.

DON'T answer any question directed towards your child. They need to answer for themselves.

DON'T talk on your cell phone the whole time you are on the campus tour. It's rude to the tour guide and sends the message that this really isn't that important to you.

DON'T show a negative attitude if your at a school that isn't an Ivy League and you think is beneath your child. You never know, you might really NEED this option!

DON't brag about who you are or your accomplishments. Not only does this actually hurt your child's chances by painting a "privileged" picture that has a negative affect in the review process, but really it's not relevant and no one cares except you.

DON't be rude or demanding of the admissions receptionist, these people report things back to Directors of Admission and make notes about impressions, too.

DON't expect to arrive unannounced at a college and for them to be able to give you a campus tour on the spot.

DON't just go off on your own on the tour. Ask the tour guide if they can show you what you are looking for.

DON't demand to interview with the Director of Admissions. What if that person isn't impressed? And, they certainly won't be happy about having you demand they do an interview when they have spent oodles of time training others to do this. Better to let the assigned interviewer, no matter who it is, conduct the interview.

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