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With Rachel Korn, former admissions officer at several top universities.
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Visiting Colleges
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What to Do on a School Visit
HEAD Start
Think of your school visits as fact-finding missions. Prepare a list of goals and questions you have for the visit, attend all informative events, and take notes. The schools will blend into each other if you visit many, so take notes to remember what you loved and what you hated.

HEAD Lines
This is your moment to feel what it would be like to live on the campus - these intangible qualities are just as important as the academics. See if this is a place where you can learn, make friends, and fit in.

Your visit checklist:
  • Attend the formal information session and take the official tour.

  • Ask the admissions officer questions (if you have real questions).

  • If you have any friends who go there, ask them to also take you around.

  • If you can, wander the campus without a guide (and even without your parents) to pretend what it would be like to actually live there.

  • Ask random students questions as you go - they'll be brutally honest.

  • Take notes!


Lisa Bleich
Professional
Member of the IECA
» Lisa's Website

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Counselor's Corner
Visit a School by Lisa Bleich
The college visit is essential to understanding if a college is a good fit for you. It gives you the opportunity to see the campus, meet the students, and get a general taste of the overall feel of the college. Colleges also look favorably at students who have taken the time to visit the college, particularly those who live close by.

There are two phases of the college visit. The first stage is to help you determine which type of school is best for you in terms of size, location and curriculum. I recommend you visit 2-3 schools that are close to where you live including one large state school and one smaller liberal arts college. The second stage is to target schools that seem like they would be a good fit and focus on the following areas:
  1. Academics: How are the majority of classes taught? Are they lectures or class discussions? How intense is the work load? Is there a core curriculum that all students are required to take? How difficult is it to meet these required classes? Does the college have a strong program in your intended field of study? How much time do students spend studying?

  2. Student life: What are the students like? Do they seem like people you would be friends with? What do the students do for fun? Are they more artsy or athletic? More studious or more interested in partying? Are there fraternities and sororities? How much do they dominate the social scene? What percentage of kids stays on campus over the weekend? What percentages of kids participate in sports? Theater? The Newspaper? You fill in the blank for your passion.

  3. Campus: How does the campus make you feel? Can you see yourself here for the next four years? What are the dorms like? How easy is it to get to town or a nearby city? What amenities does the campus offer kids in terms of a gym, theaters, transportation to town or local attractions? What is nearby and are they things you enjoy doing?

  4. General learning environment: What is the general feel of the campus in terms of learning and community? Are professors accessible? How so? What is the political climate, are all views accepted or does the campus lean more towards conservative or liberal views? Is the curriculum more focused on liberal arts, hands-on learning, pre-professional programs, etc.? How does this type of learning style match your own?

  5. Financial: How much does it cost for tuition, room and board? What percentage of students receives aid? Is it needs-based or merit-based aid? Are there merit-based scholarships available? How many students receive them and do you think you would qualify?
After your visit write down your overall impression of the school in about 2-3 sentences and determine if you want to keep it on your list. Also, make sure you sign in with admissions, so that they can note that you have visited the school.

The views expressed herein are those of their authors alone, and do not necessarily represent the views of Hundreds of Heads or of IECA.

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From Other HEADS
LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF THE DORM ROOMS, the measures that the campus has taken for security (do they have emergency call buttons?). Get to know the town (walk around a couple times to get a feel of where you’ll be living), visit the registrar’s office to get information for the upcoming year, visit the religious center that you may want to become involved in, and find out the type of food they serve (because some places can have a really gross food service).

-- JENNA ISZAUK
OHIO UNIVERSITY


A BAD VISITING EXPERIENCE doesn’t mean you won’t be happy at the school. You might have a bad tour guide or host, or the weather might be gross, making the campus look uglier than you had imagined it. So if you’re not sure, visit again; it’s worth a second trip to make sure you’ll spend the next four years in a place where you feel comfortable.

-- ELANA BROWNSTEIN
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK


Web Resources
Can't make it to a faraway school?
Try a "virtual visit" with the clever Web surfing tips at:
www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/45103.html

HoH Tip
If you do see an admissions officer, follow up with a thank-you note - an e-mail is fine - for his or her time. This is a gesture that shows your continued interest - and it is the polite thing to do.


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