Columbus Day Weekend college visits-where would you go?
 

We have the 3 day weekend off next weekend and are struggling where to go for a college visit so am looking for some help! We are trying to decide between the following:Charleston,Boston,Tampa or Syracuse. Factors include weather,availability of hotels,how easy to get to from the midwest and if(for instance the New England area-colors) would it be to get rental car and get around. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also,if there is a hotel in that town near a college you would like to recommend-please do.

Of the ones you listed Charleston would easily be my first choice for weather, etc. (assuming no hurricanes). For colleges though I would hit Boston.

I thought that Boston would be great for next weekend but my husband says that it is a big weekend with parade,etc. for them? Also,he thinks that all the tour buses for the "color tour" of New England would be stopping there. Anyone from that area that could give their imput?Thanks-

Why would one visit a college if one did not intend to "go" to said school?<BR><BR>If you are looking for a college to attend for higher education purposes...why would local hotels, rental cars and foliage be a determining factor in your education? <BR><BR>You are asking me to recommend a college for you...okay...Utah State. Try that one.<BR><BR>Ed<BR><BR>I am confused.

I suggest you check availability of hotels in Boston for the long weekend, although Boston proper is not really leaf peeping territory (more trees and scenic splendor north and west of the city) it is a busy time to visit the city - the weather is often glorious here in october. I wouldn't worry about parades slowing you down - I'm pretty sure there are some scheduled, but they would tend to be neighborhood affairs. You cant beat Boston as a base for college visits, but some of the other destinations you mention might be easier to arrange for this particular weekend. My suggestion would be to visit Boston during one of the drearier months (most of the winter through early spring) so that your son/daughter can get a feel for what it's really like to live here.

I would vote against Boston - too booked and expensive with foliage viewers. Since other 3 cities have only a college or 2 in each, check them off your list now and save Boston for a time when you have more advance notice to shop around for hotels, etc. <BR><BR>Availability of hotel near college might be an issue in other cities, though - as many college schedule parent's weekend for this long weekend.<BR><BR>PS - Take my kid with you on your trip - we are facing this starting in the spring.

I have to agree -- parades won't be an issue in Boston, but availability of hotels might be. Visit Boston during your spring break, which probably doesn't overlap with the breaks at the colleges you'll be visiting.<BR><BR>Also, depending on which schools you'll be visiting, you might not need a car at all in Boston. For schools right in the city and in Cambridge (BU, Northeastern, Emerson, Simmons, MIT, Harvard, etc.) a car is definitely a liability. Public transportation is the best route in Boston, and will give your prospective student that much more insight into the lifestyles of local students!

Not sure what kinds of schools you are looking at (which is probably, at the end of the day, more important than where is a good place to spend a 3 day weekend)...but maybe fly into Boston and then rent a car and drive westward, going to Amherst, UMass Amherst, Smith, Williams, etc. It's gorgeous out there that time of year, and the schools are fantastic.

I agree with Ed, I'm confused. I too, am looking for colleges with my high school senior and I never considered picking a travel destination and then picking some schools in that area. I thought you were supposed to pick schools that you might like to go to, and then visit them.

I just graudated from Clemson in Clemson SC. I would recommend that! Of course, I'm biased. Charleston is a very busy town. Clemson is relaxed and beautiful. Check out the webpage:<BR><BR>www.clemson.edu

"Ed" and "confusedtoo" I think you've misread the original post. I got the impression that the 4 cities named are places where "college mom"'s offspring has already identified colleges to look at, and they're just trying to decide which city to start with.

I do college counseling. Boston is a great college town, with many schools still coping with the winter weather and major airline flights home. Syracuse is less so. Can't speak to Tampa or Charleston. Depends on where your home is and how many times will the student come home. I think you must focus on the schools rather than the weather or transportation issues. If you fly into Boston I'm sure you'll be able to get hotels on the outskits of the city such as in Newton. Foliage seekers don't go there.

Collegemom, where are you? Do you see hte confusion you have created? Please come back and reassure us that all these trivial factors like weather and hotels are related to weekend plans, and not to college choice.

College Mom, avoid Boston over the Columbus Day weekend!!! Not only is parent's weekend at many schools (like BU) but it's also the weekend of the Head-of-the-Charles Regatta, the largest meeting of crew teams in the country! I think this would make finding a hotel nearly impossible at this late date. <BR><BR>On the other hand, at any other time, don't miss visiting Boston to see all our colleges, as well as Boston itself. I think I'd visit Charleston given your choices. What a lovely place...but what's it like to go to college there? Obviously I'm biased. I came to Boston as a freshman in '68 and I'm still here! It's a common story in this area.

The Head of the Charles in Boston is not Columbus Day weekend. It starts Oct 19.

Oops! My bad. Indeed the Head of the Charles is Oct. 19-20. I guess it's bad enough that it's a three day weekend in leaf season, and not H-O-C and Parent's weekend. In that case, do visit Boston!!!

College Mom-You ought to keep your nose out of it and let your kid decide where they want to go. Your kid is going to be spending 4 years there not you. NO wonder today's kids can't think for themelves or make decisions Mommy and Daddy do it all for them.

X - I agree with you IF the child is paying the $100,000+ college education.<BR><BR>Now, what I think college mom was asking is where there is good weather and availability of hotels, etc for the up coming 3 day weekend. NOT that she was condsidering the weather, transport, etc. in the decision on where the kid should go to college.<BR><BR>So, my thoughts are that all those schools, except maybe for Tampa, have popular college football teams. I'd check the school's websites to see who has a home game, and mark them off the list for that weekend.

Go to Charleston. Beautiful city with Citadel, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, and the Medical University of South Carolina.

Excuse me people-let me clarify for those who did not understand my original post. My child DOES have a definite school in mind in those three cities;we have spent the last 2 years looking at many different schools cross the USA and the reason that I asked the post was that we are coming up to a deadline on applications and we thought that we would visit these last 3 schools.My child has a definite major in mind and NO, I do not chose schools for my kids based on hotels and tours.You got to be kidding? I also don't pick schools for my kids as I think that if you are spending 4 years there-you better feel something for it. I thought that what I was asking was in reference to those particular cities-would it be difficult to get hotels or rental cars with the holiday weekends.I appreciate the info from the posters who did not question my parental duties.(And you wonder why I have started posting under a different email address?)I think that if I was going to pick a city first and then tell my kid to go to college there-it would Paris or London.......not Utah State!

to the top

Very hard to get a room for under 300$ in Boston for Sat. 12 oct. Booked solid everywhere.<BR><BR>I know,I just tried!

Mom - If the time is getting near where you have to apply, pick any one of them - or all of them - start calling area hotels, or go on-line. (I'd Pick the one the kid is leaning towards the most just in case you can't get to them all in time) I think you could have found a place by now, considering all the bickering here.<BR><BR>If you want suggestions, I'd say Tampa or Syracuse. I think Boston and Charleston will be heavy with tourists for the foliage and other events. Maybe even Syracuse, since it's probably closer to where you are. You might check their website like someone else suggested to see if there is a home football game. <BR><BR>I knew what you meant by the way. I thought it was clear.

Lisa, we have Palm Trees in Charleston. Last time I looked, the Palm Trees in my front yard did not change color so it's pretty safe to say Charleston does not have foilage traffic. Duh.

College Mom--Boston on that weekend will be as good as it gets what with the "leaf peepers" and Head of the Charles --would recommend you look outside of Boston. College kids all over the place, tourists, and a wonderful atmosphere.. Just driving along the Charles and seeing the runners, skate boarders, etc. is enough to make students want to stay

Columbus Day is not celebrated in Tampa in the way of parades. Schools in the local school district do not have the day off for it although Oct 11th is a "early release day" for the end of the quarter.<BR><BR>It is still a bit warm here in Tampa but we are bracing for a possible cold front - yeah that means the high will be 88 instead of 92.<BR><BR><BR>If the student in question is looking at Univ of South Florida, there is an Embassy Suites on campus. If they are looking at University of Tampa, there is the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel close by.<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR>

Thanks for your tips and I am sorry that people were confused on my questions.Child was looking at Eckerd College in Tampa:College of Charleston in Charleston and Boston University in Boston for those who were wondering? Its Monday and we STILL haven't figured out where we are going.............These schools were on a list by my child that would be titled:"if I had time to go see?"

College Mom, why haven't you decided where to go yet? You seem to not have much direction, and it almost sounds like you are asking us to pick which trip you should take.

Still voting on Tampa however I assume you know that Eckerd College is really in St. Petersburg. That being said, you may want to look at hotels near St. Pete Beach.

College Mom, why not add the University of Connecticut to your list! Lots of great leaf peeping at a beautiful rural setting in Storrs,Ct., about 1 1/4 hr. from Boston.

I think big cities offer more for college kids. I studied in Washington DC which has to be the best because you actually get to learn about how the US government operates and probably get several interesting internships. Tons of schools to pick from there. I am from Chicago and wanted to get AWAY from winter so we zeroed on in southern locations exclusively. I would not send my child to Tampa or Syracuse, two ends of the earth. Charleston is lovely, I looked at many schools in Virginia also. Of course other than DC, Boston is the best college town in the US. My alma maters were Georgetown and Tufts. Boston is gorgeous to the max right now, and it is still basically summer in Charleston. I would pick one of those. The best year's of one's life should not be spent in Tampa or Syracuse or...god forbid...Utah!

Well, as a Syracuse Grad- I have to put in my 2 cents- if you are planning to visit the school -go now because you dont want to see how cold and snowy it gets there after November 1st. Its really lovely there this time of year- You can stay at the Marriot right next to the campus and walk to everything.

Sorry-The reason I am dragging my feet on this upcoming trip has been a bout with a flu type illness.And to the other ideas-Our family would actually fly into Syracuse and go look at Cornell(again) in Ithaca.Keep up those informative ideas!