Are college campus tours part of your summer vacation?

Do your summer plans include one or more visits to campuses of schools being considered by a teen in the family? Such tours can be very positive and helpful experiences, if done right.

The best approach is to do some planning before any college visit. Try to evaluate whether the schools under consideration are really good options for the student.

Does a school offer the programs that meet the student’s interests? Is it large enough, or small enough, to feel right for them? Is it affordable for the family, and does the student have a realistic chance of being accepted based on high school perfo...