Fly-In Programs & College Visits

The only way to really know if a college is the right fit is to visit it. Most visits are easy to set up and will typically include an information session and a campus tour, given by a student at the school. They're a great way to learn more about a school and show them that you are interested in applying/ attending! I've completed 7 college visits now, and they've all given me a better idea about if I really want to apply to a college. It's cool to see what classrooms really look like and to see students walking around campus.
These visits can be difficult to attend, especially if the school you're interested in is far away. Another great option  fly-in programs!

Fly in programs are set up by colleges and fly out students to gie them an opportunity to get a campus feel and basically visit the school for free. Most of these programs are geared towards minorities, low-income families, and underrepresented students. Most wil cover the travel costs or at least provide large scholarships.

I've personally never done one, but my friend, and fellow gifted student, Bashar has done 2. Bashar applied for a number of schools that interested him- he ended up visiting Tufts and George Washington Univeristy but was rejected from a few others. This experiences allowed for him to get an in-depth experience of the unversity and connect with other seniors from around the world.