Visit their web site and learn as much as possible about the college. This will help you know more questions to ask and if you have specific questions, make a list. Note how the students look, the cleanliness of the campus, the atmosphere, the size, etc. Be sure to check out the labs, computers, and other facilities for that major. If your son or daughter is a particularly outstanding student, ask about the Honors Program.
Honors programs offer a variety of unique opportunities for students who qualify.
Visit a dorm, ask to see a room, and if possible, eat in one of the student cafeterias. If you would like information on scholarship possibilities, take an unofficial transcript with you. And last, but most important, ask about the safety of the campus.