Take advantage of every opportunity to check out schools-- when vacationing with family, attending sports camps or events or joining in when siblings are touring colleges. You can usually sign up for guided tours on the college website. Even if you don't have time for a tour, take a walk around campus, preferably when school is in session, to get a better idea of what it is really like. For private schools, take a tour and/or attend an information session if possible. Admissions representatives like to know that you are interested in their school. If you are unable to visit campuses out of the area, you might check the college website to see if they will be offering information session and/or interviews in the Bay Area.