You want to make sure each campus visit counts. Here's the scoop on maximizing your visits from four different perspectives.

Kerianne Johnstin
High School Senior, Richmond, IL

• "Before you visit, write down a list of things you need to know about the college. For example: What extra-curricular activities are available, how AP class credits are transferred, where the closest airport and train station are and what internship opportunities are offered?
• "Check out bulletin boards and posters around campusand politely listen in on student conversations. You'll likely get a great sense of what's hot and what's not."

Claire Sandford
Guidance Counselor
Boulder High School, Boulder, CO

• "Campus visits are especially important if you're considering a school far from home. You'll not only get a real feel for the school, but will also experience how different a culture you might be entering.
• Take the time to talk to students-not just tour guides. Ask them questions about what they like about the, what they like to do off campus, how easy it might be to meet with professors, and how they rate the school's academic challenge."

Erica Jordan, Parent
Wellesley, Massachusetts

• "The more time you put into planning-i.e. where you are going to stay, which schools you might see in one day, etc.-the more relaxed the actual trip will be. (This will insure a more successful and productive campus visit.)
• Listen carefully to the general philosophy of the staff and how they deal with the students; how they approach academic, roommate and discipline issues; and how they encourage students to discover what the community is like beyond the campus gates."

Barbara Elliott
Director of Enrollment Mgmt.
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

• "If you're seriously interested in a particular school, plan to make multiple visits. Come for an open house in your sophomore or junior year. Follow that up with a student- guided tour and information session. Then, come back after the admissions process is over. You'll have multiple experiences on the same campus, and each time you'll be looking at the school a bit differently, because you'll be at a different stage of the admission process."