Applying to colleges? Here's some advice on visiting schools from the book "Get Into College" (Hundreds of Heads Books, $17.95), straight from people who've done it:

"Be careful which students you hang out with on your visit. I visited with this kid to see how he lived and what he did. He made the college seem a helluva lot more interesting than it actually was. He wasn't worried about academics. He had a party lined up every Saturday. He was like, 'Oh, you'll learn stuff. It's not too hard.' I bought the story, and I attended the college. But now I'm transferring because I don't like it. If I had to do it again, I would try to hook up with more mainstream students to get a clearer picture of what campus life is like."

— William Alvarez, La Guardia College——"When students visit colleges, the No. 1 question they should ask students (when no member of the administration is around) is if they honestly love or even like their college. The second question should be what the worst thing about the college is. The third should be what the best thing about the college is. Colleges, like life, have ups and downs and it is important that you can handle them both."

— Brieonna Croston, University of Southern Cal.——"Three questions every student should ask college students when they visit colleges are: What is the atmosphere of each of the dorms on campus (party oriented vs. studying, etc.)? How is the food? Who are the good professors, and what classes are 'must-takes' for any major?"

— Carlos, University of Southern Cal.