Whether you are a sophomore or junior, or their parents, visiting a college “on the side” during a family vacation, or you’re a senior trying to decide between a few of the exciting colleges that admitted you, visiting college campuses is a must-do during a student’s journey.
Yeah, it sometimes sucks waking up extra early to get to the admissions office on time (re: 20 minutes early), and the information session talks about the same basic stuff: ED/EA deadlines, RD deadlines, financial aid, a breakdown of the colleges. The reality is that visiting the campus is not a surefire way to know 100% for certain that you will love it at a college. The weather may be bad that day, or the campus may feel a bit quieter than usual because of a holiday or finals. But if you don’t visit at all, then how are you expected to figure out whether it’s a good fit for you or not?
Visiting campuses is one of the best ways to get a glimpse at the school, the student body, the environment outside campus; to feel the “vibe” and get a sense for what it might be like to live there. There are definitely some pitfalls to avoid, and some definite must-dos to prepare for every college visit to ensure that you get the most out of the few hours you’ll spend there.
In this series, I will share some of my own advice from my experience visiting colleges both near to home and far away, and some of the advice I’ve received from other families, colleges, and consultants I’ve spoken with. We’ll cover these areas:
How to Plan and Execute a College Visit Like a Pro: A Parent and Student Checklist
Beyond the Tour: How to Identify your Fit
What to Ask on a Campus Tour: Questions That Matter
Do’s and Don’ts of Visits
Taking Notes: How to Keep Track of Your Campus Visits
By the end, you’ll have a good idea of how to plan a college visit, how to prepare for it so that you can ask the right questions when you’re there, the logistics of a tour and how to prepare for your day, things to do after the tour, some habits to avoid, and then how to take notes after. The goal is for you to have the skills necessary to go on a tour (or three) and come away knowing how you will weigh the colleges to make a decision about where you will apply, if you’re a sophomore or junior, or where you will attend if you’re a senior.