How To Make The Most Of Your College Visit (Part 2)

Other Opportunities

 In addition to the information session and tour, many schools will offer you the chance to sit in on class with a current student. It’s a good way to see what the teaching style is like (although keep in mind that this will really vary from class to class and professor to professor!) You may need permission to sit in on the smaller seminar type classes, and you will want to make sure that you do so before showing up!

 
If you have a specific interest (you’re the editor of your high school paper, or you are a great soccer player, you would like to get involved in community service, or you are actively involved in your synagogue or church youth group) you will want to contact individuals on the campus before you arrive to set up a chance to speak more about that particular activity. Faculty members are generally glad to meet with you as well, if you want to find out more about a specific area of research you would like to do while at school.

 
This kind of in-depth discussion may take place during your second visit, but if you have the time to really get to know a place during your first visit, it’s a great way to get into depth in areas that really interest you.

 
Spending some time in the student union, and asking current students what they think of their education, as well as getting a sense of the general atmosphere of a school, can be a great way to continue to build your data base of “institutional knowledge” which you will also use as you compare and contrast your visits later on.

 
Your day should generally include no more than two schools; a morning tour and information session, lunch on the campus, then a second visit in the afternoon. It’s quite a lot of information to take in, and you will want to give yourself enough time to digest what you have seen and experienced. In all likelihood you will be visiting some of the schools on your list again to get second impression, and you will want to be able to refer back to a clear set of thoughts from your initial visit!

 
You may want to plan an overnight return visit if you can; that way you can get a fuller sense of what the campus is like both during class hours and in the evenings as well. You should plan to stay on a weeknight; while college weekends are fun, it’s also important to see how the campus feels on a daily basis. You can look up people that have graduated from your high school and attend the college or university you are considering, or ask the admissions office about their overnight hosting program.

 
After the Visit

 
Keeping in touch with the institution after your visit is important, even if you are not planning on applying. A handwritten thank you note to a professor you met with, the members of the admissions staff who led your session, and your tourguide would be appropriate as follow- up. You can also send an email, whichever will ensure that do actually write the note!

 Your college visit can certainly help you begin to form your impressions of schools you would like to apply to, and schools that you would be interested in attending.

 It can help to clarify the areas that would be important to you; it’s not uncommon to find that you thought you wanted a “college town” experience, but that you are thrilled at the idea of an urban environment. Many students start out wanting to replicate the size and “feel” of their high schools, but fall in love with schools that are just the opposite!

The college visit is a great time to open up to the possibilities; and to begin a discussion with your parents of what kind of school appeals to you. While you begin to build the list of schools that you are applying to, this kind of first hand interaction can really help you to make informed decisions, and allow for some great conversations about the exciting four years ahead.