You probably arrived at Harvard when you were 18. But did you want to go to Harvard when you were in eighth grade? What about when you were eight?

Did you even know what college was?

It turns out that some kids do. Eight-year-olds tour the Harvard campus daily, but for the most part they say they are not enjoying their stay.

These children have sacrificed their spring vacations to visit some of the nation's most esteemed institutions, even though they won't be applying for another five to 10 years.

The children are often sighted desperately trying to amuse themselves during Harvard admissions tours as their parents and older siblings listen to stimulating discussions of the John Harvard statue and its three lies.

Abigail S. Dubovi, an eight-year-old from Ithaca, N.Y. and a potential member of the Class of '10, entertained herself by performing an artistic mix of the jitterbug and calisthenics while waiting for her sister Talia S. Dubovi, who is a junior in high school.

"Abigail has danced her way through all the college campuses in America," says her mother Robin A. Dubovi.

Abigail says that this is not an ideal way for her to spend her spring break.

"I'd rather be lying next to the ocean on Myrtle Beach," she says.

Abigail says that her parents have worked out a way of compensating her for putting up with the tedious college visits.

"I get three dollars for every school that we go to," Abigail says.

The Dubovis are not the only parents who have resorted to cash incentives to keep their younger children occupied.

Cynthia R. Sena, from Long Island, N.Y., says that it has been a real struggle to keep her eighth-grade son Vincent peaceful while his sister looks at colleges.

"We're basically bribing him to come along," Mrs. Sena says. "For every school that we go to, he gets to pick something out from the mall."

Other kids find amusement in much simpler pleasures.