Heading with your child to check out some colleges? Here's some advice to follow to make the most of your visits.

Visiting colleges is a big test of the parent-child relationship. Your child is thinking: Is this a cool place where I can study what I want and have fun? You are thinking: How will this campus take care of my child? Will he be exposed to the right people, academics, and activities?

The biggest risk for the parent (and the greatest fear of the child) is that you will fatally embarrass him during the visit. Here are some tips to help you avoid the inevitable.

ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS. Admissions officers should always be polite about any questions; it is their job to provide information. But don’t step over the line and challenge the admissions officer, especially in a public presentation, on controversial issues. These questions may be posed in a private conversation.

ASK THE TOUR GUIDE ABOUT STUDENT LIFE and how the system works at the school. But don’t ask questions based on your child. (“My son is really quiet and wants a room of his own.”) Wait until after the tour to ask about availability of quiet dorms.

DON’T BE THE FAMILY SPOKESPERSON. If your child isn’t asking questions, it’s not a good sign. Make sure he asks some of the questions himself.