The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: May twenty-ninth, contemplating campus visits.

Wise shoppers always gather information before making a major investment or life-directing decision. Ballooning education costs make picking a college or university well-suited for their high school graduate a huge concern for most parents. With more than 3500 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. alone, the choices can be overwhelming, for both parents and students. Here are thoughts to help focus the search.

First, relax. There are plenty of resources. College fairs can be a good way to gather initial information and first impressions. High school guidance counselors can provide long lists and printed directories, such as the venerable Peterson's Guides. Almost all schools post admission information on the Internet, many provide detailed virtual tours. At least one independent Web site, campustours.com, has highly searchable links to nearly 1000 institutions.

Research can help winnow the choices to a manageable few, but the final decision should always include an actual visit to the school. Junior year is probably the best time to go, ideally when classes are in session, so students will be around. Don't try to cram too many visits into a day or two. In addition to meeting admissions people, arrange for your student to sit in on a class, eat in the dining hall, even spend a night in a dorm. The number of schools a student visits is a matter of time, money and parental dedication, but this much is sure: the more you find out about a place, the better a fit the eventual choice is likely to be. Ambition and intuition remain key factors, but both are more accurate when based on actual experience.

FMI For info, www.campustours.com

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