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Counselor's Corner |
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Chances are that you've read the websites and perused the viewbooks.
You may have even spoken with college representatives visiting your high school or at a college fair.
Sure, these will give you some impression of what the scene at College U is like,
but visiting campus is essential to a fuller, clearer picture in all its dimensions.
Plan ahead for your visit, especially if you intend on coming during busy times such as high school breaks.
If you wish to interview while on campus,
schedule well in advance as time slots with busy admissions officers tend to fill up quickly.
Since your visit will center on a tour and information session, come ready to listen and absorb.
It's helpful for a parent to take notes given how facts and figures
can so easily blend together when visiting multiple schools.
Don't be afraid to ask direct questions concerning accessibility to professors,
realistic opportunities for research or internships,
student retention and graduation rates, etc.
Get a handle on the campus buzz by taking the time to look at posters
promoting upcoming events and activities as well as current campus issues.
Glance at the students around you. How do they seem?
Get a feel for the size of the campus and surrounding area.
Are they on a comfortable scale for you?
Be sure to step into at least one freshman dorm.
After the tour, sitting in on a class or two is always worthwhile to get a flavor of the academics,
but remember that such visits usually need to be arranged through Admissions, prior to your visit.
It's a great idea to step "off track" and visit the main campus eatery to sample a meal or snack.
Take the opportunity to talk with other students (aside from the ever-enthusiastic tour guide)
and get a sense of what they like about their school.
Ask questions about what students do on weekends;
why they chose the school and how happy they are;
how accessible professors are;
and what, if anything, they do not like.
Athletes, whether division, intramural or club levels,
should arrange to meet with a coach to discuss your interest and potential fit.
Take a look at the athletic center facilities.
Lastly, if you have financial aid concerns, connect with an officer from that department.
With so much to accomplish, limit yourself to no more than two schools per day.
Before you move on to the next one on your agenda,
take a few minutes to talk about and write down all your impressions so you can refer to them later on.
Above all, bring along your focus and curiosity to make the most of your visit.
College is a gargantuan investment of time and financial resources for any family,
so not only is it important to take a campus tour and schedule a personal interview;
it is also important to wander off on your own and soak up the college atmosphere.
Here are five things you can do to figure out if a school is the right fit for you:
- Visit the school during the fall or spring.
Touring the school during the academic year will allow you to see what the school is
really like as hundreds of students scurry to and from classes.
Observe the students and picture whether you can see yourself among them.
- Spend the night in a dormitory.
Along with a campus tour, one night spent hanging out with students in a dorm setting
will tell you volumes about the day-to-day college scene.
- Eat a meal in the campus dining hall and rate the food and the experience.
Remember, the dining hall will be your eating quarters three times a day over the next several years.
- Attend a class in your academic area of interest, and ask yourself a couple of valuable questions.
Was the class interesting? Can you picture yourself studying with these students?
- Engage with the student body.
Walk up to at least five students and ask them to name their favorite spots on campus and go to them!
Remember, the more time you spend on a campus, the better feel you will get for that particular college environment.
Take pictures and jot down your observations while on these school visits.
These notes will serve you well when you're back at home having to make
that all important life-changing decision.
Good luck!
Visiting college campuses can really help you to identify if it is the right place for you.
In order to maximize your time while there, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
Take a Tour
Always register for an official campus tour so the college has a record of your visit.
Arrive early, allowing plenty of time to get lost, deal with traffic and find parking.
The tour could be as small as a few people but as large as 100. Be aggressive and stay close
to the tour guide so you don't miss hearing any interesting anecdotal information.
It also allows you to ask questions when they aren't speaking formally to the tour group.
Bring along a camera and ask mom or dad to snap some photos to help you remember the campus -
they may eventually blur together. Be a keen observer - read bulletin boards,
grab a campus newspaper and think about how you might fit in with the student body.
Can you see yourself there? At the end of the tour,
ask the tour guide for an email address so you can ask questions in the future.
You may also ask if there are any other "must sees" on campus that were not included on the tour,
and where you can get some lunch.
Attend the Informational Session
The information session is usually led by an admissions counselor and allows you to learn more
about the application process and current trends at this particular school.
Some sessions can be quite large (hundreds of people) while others can potentially be very small or even one-on-one.
The Big Interview
Don't panic, they aren't as bad as you think they are -
think of them as an exchange of information -
you learn more about them and they learn more about you.
This is your big chance to shine, so be prepared to discuss three things about yourself at length to get you started.
If you have some discrepancies on your transcript, now would be the time to discuss it.
Likewise, if there is something special about yourself you would like to share
that won't be evident on your application, be sure to let them know.
Although the interview is not required at the majority of schools,
it can be highly recommended.
Interact
Grabbing a bite to eat in the campus dining hall or student union is a great way to observe
and interact with students more informally.
You might be surprised at how willing students are to talk about the school that they attend.
When You Leave
Be sure to jot down your impressions before they fade and keep them in a college binder.
If you have interviewed, it would be polite to send a thank you note.
And if time permits, drive around the neighborhood to get a feel for the immediate community surrounding campus.
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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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
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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
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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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