Visiting prospective colleges is similar to peering into a looking glass. Through exploring the college, as well as the respective city, prospective students and their families can catch a glimpse into their daily routine, what classes might be like, who their peers could be and much more. As I mentioned in “College Visits – San Francisco and South Bay,” I wanted to go to school in L.A. And to this day, I am so happy I went to visit the campuses: the L.A. I had dreamed of was nothing like the actual city. It is also important to consider that as students get further into their college years, their lives tend to be less centered around campus and more grounded in the surrounding areas.

Georgia Tech. Photo: hectorir

Atlanta
Atlanta is a hotbed of higher education. With more than 30 institutions of higher learning, the city is teeming with students, culture and history. With so many colleges available to explore, it is advised that you narrow down your list of schools to a number that is manageable for you and your family. However, this guide should get you through the major players and allow you to explore the city in about three days.

Start with Georgia State University, which is located in the heart of Atlanta and is close to Underground Atlanta, an entertainment district where you can grab a snack and sneak in some shopping before your next stop. Drive northeast 6.5 miles to Emory University, located in the suburbs of Druid Hills.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the Top 10 public universities in the country. Located in on 400 acres in Midtown, just north of downtown. Only six miles away from Georgia Tech is the historically black Morehouse College for men and the historically black Spelman College for women.

Oglethrope University is located 10 miles north of downtown and is a great way to round out your Atlanta college visits. If you have some spare time, be sure to visit Centennial Park, which was created for the ’96 Olympics.

Plan a trip to Atlanta on TravelMuse.

Loyola New Orleans. Photo: AuthenticEccentric

New Orleans
Believe it or not, the Big Easy is not just a hive of debauchery, drinking and hurricanes. Although its reputation proceeds itself, New Orleans is a fascinating, cultured city with more than 10 institutions of higher learning. So parents fear not, and hop on the nearest streetcar to easily explore the city.

Uptown Schools: Located on St. Charles Avenue, Tulane University is the largest and most well-known university in the city. Right next door, often overlooked in the shadow of Tulane, is Loyola University, a Jesuit university with fewer than 3,000 students. The only historically black Catholic college in the United States, Xavier University is located close to the Carrollton streetcar line. Be sure to explore the and Audubon Park and the Audubon Zoo.

Lakefront: For a larger campus feel, the University of New Orleans is the place to go. The campus is located on the beautiful shores on Lake Pontchartrain and in one of the city’s nicest residential areas. Dillard University is another one of the city’s historically black private colleges. Dillard is home to the Institute of Jazz Culture, which promotes jazz culture and education.

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Post adapted from “College Visit Guide: Atlanta” by Aaron Butzen and “College Visit Guide: New Orleans” by Ashleigh Nushawg.

Trying to pick the right college is difficult; believe me. I was dead set on attending school in Los Angeles . . . until I visited the colleges I was interested in applying to and realized that just because a university looks good on paper doesn’t mean that it’s the right fit. When I stepped onto the UC Santa Cruz campus, I knew immediately that it was the right school for me.

Spring and summer vacations are a perfect for checking out prospective colleges for your future applicant. Whether you’re planning on a quick weekend getaway or an extended (and well-deserved) vacation, there are many ways to integrate college visits into your travel itinerary. The San Francisco Bay Area and South Bay have a multitude of phenomenal institutions to consider—from small art schools to Stanford, one of the most well known universities in the world.

San Francisco State University. Photo: Orin Zebest

Day 1: Berkeley and San Francisco
Known as a hub for liberal politics in the 60s, UC Berkeley is one of the finest public universities in the United States. Spend the day strolling down Telegraph Avenue, shopping in the local record stores and dining at Chez Panisse, the culinary icon Alice Waters’ famed restaurant. Be sure not to tire yourself out though, because afterwards you can make your way down to San Francisco, where there is a college on what feels like every street.

If you begin your college-visit trek near Golden Gate Park, you can visit the University of San Francisco (near Haight and Ashbury streets) and the University of California, San Francisco (in the inner Sunset). From there, cruise on over to the outer Sunset where you will find San Francisco State University. If you have an art student in the family, be sure to head out to Russia Hill, where you will find the San Francisco Art Institute.

Day 2: Silicon Valley
Approximately 45 minutes south of San Francisco is Palo Alto, a major focal point of the 1990s high-tech boom. It is also home to the famous Stanford University, one of the leading research and educational institutions in the world.

As you move further south, deeper into the hear of Silicon Valley, you will find Santa Clara University, California’s oldest college. SCU was founded in 1851 on the sight of one of the original 21 California missions. Next on the list, San Jose State is home to more than 30,000 undergrads and grad students. Be sure to explore the city, which is full of culture—a trip to The Tech Museum of San Jose and dinner at Original Joe’s old-time steakhouse is a perfect way to cap off a day of exhausting college visits.

Porter College at UC Santa Cruz. Photo: Peter Alfred

Day 3: Santa Cruz
Unless you’re really alert after your Silicon Valley college visits, I suggest leaving Santa Cruz until day three, because it’s an approximately 45-minute drive from San Jose and lies on “the other side of the hill”—over the windy Highway 17. After the nerve-racking drive, you will be welcomed into the cozy little beach town of Santa Cruz—home to surfers, the Boardwalk, banana slugs and, of course, UC Santa Cruz. The campus is vast and hilly, so be sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Post adapted from “College Visit Guide: San Francisco Bay Area” by TravelMuse Editorial and “College Visit Guide: California’s South Bay” by Nicole Fancher.

Plan your Northern California college visit on TravelMuse.

TravelMuse is excited to take part in the EyeforTravel’s Social Media Strategies for Travel USA 20010 conference, which will be held in San Francisco from March 24 to 25 at the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf.

We’ll be making a short presentation and participating on a panel focusing on the Best Practices to Get the Highest ROI on Your Social Media Initiatives alongside Henry Harteveldt (Forrester Research), Brandie Feuer (Tropicana Las Vegas) and Yvonne Chen (Facebook).

Last year I attended and presented at the conference and came away armed with lots of ideas, so I am looking forward to this year’s event. The conference is aimed at travel marketers who want to learn more about social media and how to generate leads, drive traffic, boost conversions and ultimately grow sales. Here’s a taste of what will be covered this year:

• Analyzing the Advancing Social Media Landscape
• Managing the Strategic Importance of Social Media in Your Business
• Managing Your Brand Reputation Online
• Social Media Metrics and Meaning
• Twitter and the Rise of Micro-blogging
• What Extent are Travelers Influenced by Social Media?
• Boosting CRM and Loyalty Results

There’s a wide range of leading industry experts from new and established companies presenting, including Facebook, Hilton, Virgin America, Orbitz, Yapta, Uptake, Tripology, SouthWest and more.

To find out more and register, go to http://events.eyefortravel.com/social-media

To receive a 15 percent discount on your conference pass, send an e-mail to Gina Baillie (gina@eyefortravel.com) and tell her that TravelMuse referred you.