When should I start touring colleges?

I'm a junior in high school and starting to get serious about my college plans. I've heard a lot about college tours being really helpful, but I'm not sure when is the right time to start visiting schools. Should I be looking at colleges during my junior year, or is it better to wait until the summer before senior year? I'm trying to figure out the best timeline so I can make my decisions with all the info I need and maybe even narrow down my list of schools.

Planning college visits can certainly play a crucial role in making informed decisions about which colleges are the right fit for you. As a general rule, I'd recommend starting to look into college tours towards the end of your junior year—this can be the spring months—and then continuing through the summer before senior year. This can give you a good head start on understanding the college atmosphere and identifying what factors are really important to you in a school.

A lot of students find that visiting colleges while school is in session gives them a more accurate feel for the campus vibe. During these visits, they get to see the student community in action, which is a significant part of the college experience. It helps to witness the interactions between students and professors or to understand the dynamics of campus life.

On the other hand, scheduling your visits during the summer can also work if you have heavy commitments during the school year. College campuses may not be as populated during the summer, but most college admissions offices are still open and they do often conduct tours.

Remember, starting your visits earlier gives you more time to process what you liked or didn't like about each school. This will help you when it comes time to draft essays or when you need to make a decision after acceptances come in.

Lastly, remember that in addition to physical tours, many schools offer virtual tours as well. This could be a good way to 'visit' a lot of colleges in a short amount of time or to explore colleges that are further away from your location. However, an in-person visit may give you a more authentic feel of the college's environment.

All in all, this timeline is not a strict rule, and you should start when you feel ready. It's all about what makes the most sense for you and your schedule. Good luck in this exciting phase of your college search process!