This summer and fall, thousands of teens and their families will tour college campuses. Signing up for the official tour is the obvious first step, but what else can parents and students do to prepare for and make the most of these important visits?

1. BEFORE TOURS, DISCUSS YOUR TEEN'S VALUES. Help them clarify their Why for attending college. College consultant Dr. Steven Antonoff offers free, downloadable tools to help families start the discussion.

2. ENGAGE WITH A DIVERSE RANGE OF PEOPLE BEYOND THE SCRIPTED TOUR. Ask at least three current students questions about their campus experiences. Get specific. Instead of "What's the social scene like?" ask "What did you do last weekend?" Instead of "How many majors are there?" ask "Do counselors help freshmen sign up for classes?"

3. SIT IN ON A CLASS THAT INTERESTS YOU.

4. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT DORMS. Housing can be stressful. Ask about availability of on-campus housing beyond freshman year. If not guaranteed, what's the process to obtain off-campus housing? How far in advance do students typically plan?

5. OBSERVE HOW PEOPLE GET AROUND CAMPUS. Are they riding bikes? Taking the bus? Walking? Is the campus walkable to local shopping and dining? Is there a free campus shuttle to town?

6. BE A PEOPLE WATCHER. What are your impressions of the student body? Is there a fun, positive vibe or do people look stressed and exhausted? Can you see yourself happily fitting in?

Instead of asking what the social scene is like, ask what they did last weekend.

7. SAFETY MEASURES MATTER. Look for emergency call boxes. Ask if there are campus security escorts or free shuttles available at night.

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8. EAT IN THE DINING HALL. How well do they accommodate dietary preferences or needs? Can meal plans be used at cafes campuswide?

9. TAKE PHOTOS to help you remember key positives and negatives about each campus. Use a tracker to record your impressions.

10. VISIT THE CAREER CENTER. Ask questions about internship placement and post-graduation outcomes.

11. CHECK THE LIBRARY AND STUDY SPACES. Are they used? Do they look like places students actually want to be?

12. DEBRIEF AS A FAMILY. After each visit, talk together about what stood out — both positives and negatives.