Visiting a college campus is a great way to get a sense of what you may be looking for in a college. Early in the process when you are still trying to determine what characteristics you want in a college it is advisbale to see a varety of schools:, big, small, in a city or college town, driving distance vs farther away. Many families will just visit local schools or perhaps see some campuses while on vacation. Gaining a sense of what you want, and even what you don't want, can help a great deal in the search process.
As you advance in the process more and know what you are looking for you may start to target some schools to visit that you are particulrly interested in based on their characteristics. Remember that you have until May 1 of senior year to make any decision about where you are going so you don't have to visit all of the schools you will apply to, you can absolutely leave some until you see whether or not you have been admitted, what the cost will be, etc. As far as "must" visits go you will absolutely want to see any school to which you are considering applying Early Decision. In addition we also suggest visiting one of your safeties to make sure that is a good school for your list. Most students have a variety of places that could be a safe option, visiting will ensure that yours is one you will actually want to go to!
To set up your visit simply go to the college's website, most will have a way to register onlne. You do want to do the official information session and tour whenever possible as it is not only the best way to see the campus but also is a part of demonstrating interest at the school. If you are early in the process or don't have the time for an offical tour many colleges will offer maps and walking tours that you can download from their site. Once you are done visiting the campus make sure to check out the surrounding area, have lunch at the local burger joint or hang at a coffee shop for a bit. Try to get a feel for the social environment/community you will be spending four-years in, it's almost as important as the academic one!
For more information on visiting colleges, including things to do and questions to ask, check out this resource.
