Some food for thought - fall is a beautiful time to visit these schools, but if your son has grown up in Alabama, winter in the northeast might come as a big shock to him! I remember visiting Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, and Williams during a snowy and cold February, and it definitely altered my perspective on what going to these schools in the winter would be like! (and I come from Minnesota...)

If this weather/climate is a consideration, and it's at all possible, you might want to think about another visit in the colder months.

just realized I posted the same thing as Ackislander :)

My son grew up in Alabama but I grew up in No. Va. and went to Mt.Holyoke for college (near Amherst) and Bowdoin for my Junior year. I am partial to New England schools and would like him to visit and see for himself how lovely the area is. That being said, I appreciate all the advice on the weather (I am realizing that I do need to make him realize that it can be very cold for a number of months given that he is not used to very cold/snowy weather). I have also appreciated all the advice about the airports and the drives as it has been 30 years since I have been in college and I never tried to visit two or three within a few days.