Arrive at Logan International Airport and take a private shuttle to the hotel in Back Bay or near Copley Square; settle into rooms and enjoy a brief welcome meeting where leaders review the week’s schedule and safety protocols. After check-in, stretch your legs with a guided stroll down the scenic Charles River Esplanade, spotting rowers and taking in early fall foliage while staff distribute maps and neighborhood tips.
Head to the nearby Prudential Center for a light lunch, then join an orientation at a reserved room at the Boston Public Library — an overview of college-visit etiquette, note-taking strategies, and how to craft thoughtful admissions questions. Finish with a brief preview walk along the Freedom Trail to familiarize the group with Boston’s historic core and the locations you’ll revisit during the tour.
Gather for a welcome dinner at a family-friendly restaurant in the North End where students try classic New England chowder and share first impressions; a short talk by a recent college student offers candid advice about campus life. End the night back at the hotel with a relaxed Q&A and time to prepare materials (notebooks, questions) for the Harvard and MIT visits the following day.
After breakfast at the hotel, take a short shuttle across the Charles River to Harvard Square for a guided campus tour led by a current student; stroll past the John Harvard statue, Widener Library, and the Yard while hearing about academic life, housing, and student clubs. Following the tour, visit the Harvard Admissions Office for an information session and drop into the Harvard Art Museums or the Peabody Museum for a quick look at the collections that complement classroom study.
Cross to MIT for a self-guided exploration and an official campus presentation—wander through the Infinite Corridor, view innovative projects in the Stata Center, and stop by the MIT Museum to see hands-on exhibits about robotics and technology. Pause for lunch at a nearby Kendall Square café where students can compare notes, then attend a brief Q&A with an admissions officer or current STEM student to discuss research opportunities and application tips.
Return to Back Bay for a relaxed dinner at a family-friendly bistro where the group debriefs the day’s impressions and updates their college-visit notes with highlights from both campuses. Finish with an optional twilight walk along the Charles River Esplanade to reflect on academic fit and campus vibes, then prepare questions and materials for tomorrow’s college fair and historical walking tour.
Start the day with an energizing hotel breakfast before heading to the college fair at the Hynes Convention Center, where students meet admissions reps from a wide range of East Coast schools, collect brochures, and attend short info sessions on majors and financial aid. Encourage teens to use the note-taking strategies from yesterday’s orientation as they ask focused questions and schedule follow-up campus visits with representatives from schools that match their interests.
After lunch in Copley Square, transition to a guided historical walking tour along the Freedom Trail beginning at Boston Common—visit the Massachusetts State House, Old South Meeting House, and Paul Revere's House while guides weave in stories about civic life and academic traditions that shaped New England colleges. This relaxed, interpretive walk doubles as a way to compare campus cultures discussed at the morning fair and gives students context for how history influences community life on many college campuses.
Return to the Back Bay area for dinner at a neighborhood bistro where students debrief their morning discoveries and refine a shortlist of schools to prioritize for campus visits later in the trip; a brief peer-led workshop helps them translate impressions into targeted application questions. Finish the night with optional free time along the Charles River Esplanade or a quiet hotel session to organize materials and plan tomorrow’s transfer to Providence and Brown University.
After an early breakfast in Back Bay, board the private shuttle for the scenic 1-1.5 hour drive to Providence, with staff highlighting campus arrival logistics and encouraging students to jot questions for Brown’s admissions team. Upon arrival, enjoy a student-led guided tour of Brown’s historic College Hill campus—pass the Van Wickle Gates, explore the Main Green and University Hall, and hear about the open curriculum, undergraduate research, and residential college life from current students.
Break for lunch at the Salvatore’s or a nearby café on Thayer Street, then attend Brown’s admissions information session and a department-led meeting (options typically include liberal arts or engineering) to learn about application tips, financial aid, and internship pathways. After the official sessions, stroll through the List Art Center or the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology for a quick cultural stop that highlights how campus resources complement academic programs.
Check into the Providence hotel and reconvene for a riverside dinner in the historic Downcity district—try Providence specialties at a family-friendly restaurant along Waterplace Park while students compare notes and update their campus shortlists. Finish with a short twilight walk along the riverwalk or an optional reflection session at the hotel where leaders help students translate today’s impressions into targeted follow-up questions for future campus visits.
After an early hotel breakfast in Providence, board the private shuttle for the scenic 1.5-2 hour drive to New Haven, with staff pointing out regional history and reminding students to review questions for admissions officers. Arrive on Yale’s historic main campus and join a student-led guided tour that winds past Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Sterling Memorial Library, and the Old Campus while guides describe residential colleges, study abroad, and research opportunities.
Break for lunch at a lively spot on Chapel Street—consider Atticus Bookstore Cafe or Claire’s Corner Copia—then attend Yale’s admissions information session and a department briefing (options often include humanities, STEM, or performing arts) that covers application strategies and financial aid. After official sessions, explore the Yale University Art Gallery or catch a glimpse of a student rehearsal or professor lecture (when available) to sense campus life beyond the brochure.
Check into the New Haven hotel and gather for dinner at a classic New Haven pizza place (try a thin-crust apizza at Sally’s or Modern Apizza) where students compare notes and update their shortlists with insights from Yale. Finish the night with an informal reflection back at the hotel or a twilight stroll through the lit quads to talk through impressions and plan questions for tomorrow’s travel to New York City.
After breakfast in New Haven, board the private shuttle for the roughly 2-2.5 hour drive into Manhattan, with staff pointing out landmarks as you cross into the city and reminding students to keep campus questions handy. Arrive at your Midtown hotel near Times Square or the Garment District, check in, drop bags, and take a short guided walk to Bryant Park to stretch legs and get an initial feel for NYC’s energy.
After lunch at a nearby deli or the Bryant Park Grill, meet at a reserved conference room for an orientation and college-info session led by the tour leaders and a guest admissions counselor from a local university; topics include navigating large-city campuses, public vs. private fit, and how to schedule follow-up visits. Conclude the session with a short subway ride to Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus for a late-afternoon self-guided walk through Butler Library, Low Steps, and College Walk to compare an urban Ivy experience with earlier campuses.
Return to Midtown for dinner at a family-friendly restaurant in Hell's Kitchen where students debrief impressions and update their college shortlists, followed by an optional twilight stroll on the High Line to enjoy fall foliage views and public art. Head back to the hotel for a brief reflection session and prep materials—questions, maps, and notes—for tomorrow’s visits to Columbia and Barnard.
Start the day in Morningside Heights with a guided student-led tour of Columbia University—walk down College Walk, pose by the Low Memorial Library steps, and visit Butler Library while guides discuss Core Curriculum, research opportunities, and life in an urban Ivy. After the tour, attend Columbia’s admissions information session in the Hamilton Hall or Wien Hall auditorium to ask targeted questions about class size, internships in the city, and financial aid.
Take the short stroll or bus over to Barnard College for a campus tour and an intimate admissions presentation in Barnard Hall that highlights the all-women liberal arts experience and the cross-registration relationship with Columbia; explore the Diana Center and the Barnard campus garden to feel the smaller-campus vibe. Break for lunch at a nearby Morningside Heights café or the Columbia student center, then meet with a student ambassador or faculty member in a department of interest (e.g., English, political science, or neuroscience) for an informal Q&A and classroom visit when available.
Return to Midtown for dinner in Hell's Kitchen where students compare Columbia and Barnard impressions and update their shortlists and application questions; encourage a peer-led debrief to translate campus vibes into concrete next steps. Finish the night with an optional twilight stroll along the Hudson River Greenway or a visit to the rooftop of the hotel for city views, followed by a quiet session to organize notes and prepare for tomorrow’s focus on public universities and specialized programs.
After breakfast, head downtown to the CUNY Graduate Center and Baruch College for a paired look at public-university options—tour Baruch’s Newman Vertical Campus and the Weissman School of Arts & Sciences, then attend a scheduled info session at the CUNY Graduate Center to learn about transfer pathways, affordability, and internship partnerships across the CUNY system. Guides will highlight how large-city public colleges connect students to civic resources and help teens compare public vs. private value as they refine their shortlists.
Take the subway to Washington Square and spend the afternoon at NYU with a student-led campus walk through the lively Village, stopping at the Kimmel Center, Bobst Library, and the Institute of Fine Arts to explore NYU’s specialized programs in film, performing arts, and social sciences; follow with an admissions Q&A focused on study-abroad sites, Tisch or Steinhardt application pathways, and experiential learning opportunities. Break for lunch at a nearby café on MacDougal Street where students can trade notes about program fit and ask faculty or student ambassadors targeted questions about classroom life in an urban setting.
Return to Midtown for dinner at a family-friendly restaurant in Greenwich Village where the group compares impressions of public and private campus models and updates application priorities; finish with an optional guided evening walk through Washington Square Park to feel the student culture and street performance scene. Back at the hotel, leaders facilitate a short reflection exercise to translate today’s discoveries into follow-up actions — contacts to email, campus features to research, and which schools to prioritize on upcoming visits.
After breakfast, board the private shuttle for the roughly 2-hour drive from New York to Philadelphia, with staff pointing out the skyline as you cross the state line and reminding students to review their Penn questions. Arrive on Penn’s campus mid-morning and join a student-led tour that winds through Locust Walk, past the Fisher Fine Arts Library and College Hall, while guides describe the Quaker heritage, interdisciplinary opportunities, and on-campus research programs.
Enjoy lunch at a campus favorite like the Penn Bookstore café or nearby Distrito in University City, then attend an admissions information session in the Annenberg Center followed by a department meeting (options often include Wharton information or a humanities briefing) to learn about internships, community partnerships, and study-abroad pathways. After official sessions, stroll through the Penn Museum or the Morris Arboretum (time permitting) to see how cultural and green spaces complement academic life and give students fresh context for assessing fit.
Check into the centrally located Philadelphia hotel and gather for dinner in Old City at a family-friendly restaurant on Market Street, where students compare notes on Penn’s urban campus vibe and competitive programs. Finish the night with a short guided walk past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to connect the day’s academic impressions to Philadelphia’s historic civic identity, then return to the hotel for a brief reflection and planning session for tomorrow’s visits and admissions workshop.
Begin with an energizing breakfast at the hotel before heading to Drexel University for a student-led campus tour that highlights innovation hubs like the ExCITe Center, co-op program offices, and the Compact Research Buildings—students will compare Drexel’s experiential learning model with yesterday’s Penn visit. After the tour, attend a brief info session in the Bossone Research Enterprise Center to ask targeted questions about internships, co-op placement, and hands-on research opportunities.
Return to University City for a focused admissions workshop held in a reserved room on Penn’s campus (Annenberg or a nearby conference space), where an admissions counselor walks the group through application timelines, essay strategy, and financial-aid basics using examples from Wharton and Penn Arts & Sciences; students break into small groups for peer review of personal statements and résumé tips. Follow the workshop with a casual lunch at Distrito or the Penn Bookstore café and a short visit to the Penn Museum to relax and reflect on how campus resources support academic interests.
Conclude the day with dinner in Rittenhouse Square at a family-friendly restaurant where the group debriefs workshop takeaways and updates their school shortlists and next-step checklists; a closing mini-session led by tour leaders assigns follow-up emails to admissions reps and plans for tomorrow’s drive to Baltimore. Finish with optional free time for a twilight walk past the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to enjoy fall foliage and Philadelphia’s cultural landmarks before returning to the hotel to organize notes.
After breakfast in Philadelphia, board the private shuttle for the roughly 1.5-2 hour drive to Baltimore, with leaders pointing out Chesapeake Bay landmarks and reminding students to review their Johns Hopkins questions. Arrive at Homewood campus mid-morning for a student-led tour that winds past Gilman Hall, the iconic Levering Hall steps, and the Johns Hopkins University admissions office, where guides discuss undergraduate research opportunities, pre-med pathways, and the university’s strong emphasis on lab and clinical experience.
Break for lunch at the Remington neighborhood or at The Hopkins Student Center and then attend an admissions information session and departmental meeting (options often include biology/engineering or public health) to learn about research labs, summer programs, and clinical affiliations with Johns Hopkins Hospital. After official sessions, stroll through the adjacent Evergreen Museum & Library or visit a working lab demo or campus makerspace when available to get a hands-on sense of academic life and research culture.
Check into the Inner Harbor-area hotel and gather for dinner at a family-friendly waterfront restaurant near Pratt Street—try Maryland crab cakes or a hearty seafood option as students compare notes and update their college shortlists. Finish the night with an optional twilight walk along the Inner Harbor promenade to view the National Aquarium from the outside and reflect on how Johns Hopkins’ urban research partnerships and medical strengths fit each student’s academic goals.
After breakfast at the Baltimore hotel, board the private shuttle for the roughly 1.5-2 hour drive to Washington, D.C., with staff pointing out landmarks as you approach the Potomac and briefing students on security procedures for Capitol-area visits. Arrive in the Capitol Hill neighborhood mid-morning for a guided exterior tour of the U.S. Capitol grounds, a photo stop at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, and a scheduled visit to the Capitol Visitor Center where students learn about civic careers and can book a future guided interior tour if available.
After a quick lunch at a nearby café in Eastern Market, transfer to the National Mall for a walking introduction—brief stops at the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court (exterior and visitor center as time permits) set civic context before heading to Georgetown University for a student-led campus tour that visits Healy Hall, the Leavey Center, and the Lauinger Library while discussing Washington-based internship and public-policy opportunities. Conclude the afternoon with an admissions information session or department meeting at Georgetown (political science or international relations recommended) to compare urban campus life and internship pipelines with previous visits.
Check into the downtown D.C. hotel near Foggy Bottom or Penn Quarter and gather for dinner at a family-friendly restaurant along the Wharf or in Penn Quarter where students debrief the day’s impressions and update their application shortlists with Washington-specific opportunities. Finish the night with an optional guided twilight stroll along the Tidal Basin to view fall foliage and the Jefferson Memorial by moonlight, followed by a short reflection session at the hotel to prepare questions for tomorrow’s college fairs and campus visits.
Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for a regional college fair where students meet admissions reps from D.C.-area and national schools, collect materials, and attend short breakout sessions on scholarships and majors; encourage use of yesterday’s follow-up list to set meetings with priority reps. Between fair sessions, pop into scheduled mini-presentations from Georgetown, American University, and George Washington University to compare admissions priorities and urban-campus internship pipelines in person.
After a quick lunch at the nearby Chinatown cafés, transfer to campus visits—start with a student-led tour at George Washington University (visit Lisner Hall and the Elliott School for international affairs) then head to American University for a walk around the quad and a department briefing on public policy and communications; these visits build on Monday’s Georgetown tour and spotlight D.C.-specific career pathways. Conclude the afternoon with a career-counseling workshop at the GW Career Center where counselors lead resume reviews, mock informational interviews, and guidance on arranging local internships and summer programs.
Gather for dinner at the Wharf with waterfront views and a relaxed recap of fair takeaways and campus impressions, encouraging students to compare internship and research opportunities across the D.C. schools visited this week. Finish the night with a reflection session back at the hotel—students update their shortlists, draft targeted follow-up emails to admissions and career centers, and prepare final questions for tomorrow’s departure review.
After an early hotel breakfast, gather in the conference room for a final review session that pulls together notes from the week—students compare campus shortlists, finalize follow-up email drafts to admissions reps (Georgetown, GW, American, Penn, Columbia, etc.), and confirm that portfolios, résumés, and reference lists are organized. Staff help with on-the-spot printing or scanning at the hotel business center and review airport logistics for both DCA and IAD departures, ensuring everyone has boarding passes and knows shuttle schedules.
Check out and load luggage onto the private shuttle for departures; groups head to either Reagan National (DCA) or Dulles International (IAD) depending on flight times, with a planned stop at a coffee shop near the terminals (e.g., District Chophouse & Brewery at DCA or the Coal Vines Café near IAD) for a calm final debrief and snack. Time permitting, students can make one last quick photo stop at the Tidal Basin or the National Mall to capture the trip’s final memories and exchange contact info for peer follow-ups and college-visit buddies.
Flights depart in staggered groups through the evening; leaders ensure every student is checked through security and connected with their guardian/parent contacts before boarding. For those still in Washington, a brief closing message is sent summarizing next steps—submit application timelines, scholarship tasks, and recommended campus follow-up—and students arrive home with organized materials, new contacts, and a clearer sense of fit for their college journeys.