Nights are cool, it’s sweatshirt weather and pumpkin spice lattes are on the menu. This can only mean one thing…it’s time to book your college visits!
The campus visit is often seen as an extra step or one that should be reserved for after a student is accepted. Although this might be the case in certain situations, visits in general should not be shelved or overlooked. In fact, they are a critical step in the college admissions process. Touring multiple campuses help students determine the type of school they are looking for, demonstrate their interest in prospective colleges, and bring applications to the next level.
Setting
Simply put, there is no substitute for actually stepping foot onto a college campus. A visit brings a college to life and a first hand experience is the best way to determine how you might feel living there for 4 years. Visit schools of different sizes and in varying settings. Observe your reactions to the people you meet and the general feeling in the atmosphere. Are people happy and friendly? Do you feel comfortable? Think about it as if you were buying a home. Most people would not do so without spending some time investigating the area.
Demonstrated Interest
Colleges look to admit applicants who are excited and show specific knowledge and interest in their school. Many even do so by tracking those who register and attend official tours and information sessions. Their hope is that the more interest a student shows, the more likely that student will enroll at the institution.
Plan Your Visit
Students are encouraged to plan college visits during junior and senior year, although younger students may also be inclined to do so. Contact the admissions office of every school you are interested in (via phone, email or on their website) well in advance of the dates you are considering. Plan to spend as much time on campus as possible, at least half a day. Take tours, sit in on classes, visit the dorms (including the bathrooms), eat the food, and explore the surrounding city or town. If you know a current student, consider an overnight stay. This is an ideal way to get an inside look at student life.
Ask Questions and Remember Details
Building a best-fit college list takes a lot of research. Although websites are an excellent place to start, visiting a school gives students the opportunity to ask questions and absorb details. Take notes and pictures on your phone. This will be helpful when tackling university specific supplement questions and speaking to college representatives. Talk to as many students as possible and pay attention to bulletin boards and campus newspapers. Doing so will help you better understand the social scene and culture of the student body.
Alternatives to Visiting
Unfortunately, visiting every college on your list may not be feasible. If you cannot physically make it to a campus far away, take a digital tour on the school’s website or check out www.youvisit.com, a site offering free virtual tours of over 600 colleges. Visit different schools (private, public, large, small) in your own state. This will help you gauge the type of learning environment you prefer. In addition, be sure to inquire about college representatives visiting your high school and consider attending local college fairs. Meeting a college rep is a great way to show interest and expanding your knowledge of a specific school while staying local.
One final tip
College visits are most beneficial after you have conducted your own research and discussed your choices with your parents and counselor. Travelling from school to school takes time and money. The responsible student should decide that a school is potentially a good fit before considering a visit.