The College Campus Visit

What is more important than actually seeing and experiencing the place you would be for the next 4 years of your life? That is why, whenever possible, it is highly recommended to schedule a visit to the colleges you are interested in. Campus visits will probably be the most important part of your college selection process; so you want to be sure you know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Seeing is Believing

Remember how I said previously that no one should touch any part of the application process but you? Again, YOU should be e-mailing the college representative to schedule a college visit. Not your parents, or guidance counselors. Certain colleges track interests, and personally making an appointment will definitely work in your favor.

Whom and what to see when you visit...

Know what you are going to do when you visit. The main purpose of the visit is to give you an idea of the place that you will spend for the next 4 years. This again boils down to matchmaking. You are looking for a college environment to your liking. Once again, collect data with an objective and open mind. In other words, don't pre-judge a school before you visit, just because you have your mind set on another school.

As you observe campus life and cultures for your eventual judgment of the school, look for common threads of what you like or don't like about the place. Were the students friendly? Were they helpful in answering and addressing your concerns? What do conversations at the lunch table mainly revolve around?

Organize, organize, organize!

At this point of life you simply cannot afford to be in disarray anymore. You may want to try to come up with a simple checklist to record what you have seen and experienced at each school that you visit.

Some of the questions you may want to put on the checklist are:

1. What is most important to look for in this campus?
2. What is the academic atmosphere like?
3. What do I love about this place?
4. What do I dislike about this place?
5. What are the students’ general views of this place?
6. How many are unhappy with their choice of school and why?
7. How will I feel academically here?
8. Whole-day study?
9. What’s it like according to my peers?
10. What’s it like according to students on-campus?
11. Most importantly, what’s it like according to ME?
12. Can I fit in?

If you have the time and commitment, it’s best that you stay overnight in at least one of the colleges to get an idea of the type of social setting that exists there.

Experience the college's atmosphere to decide!

The college visit should be the one thing that will help narrow your list further. From a list of say, 20 schools, visiting a few will allow you to include, or eliminate several to you build your final list of 8-12 colleges. Arrange a campus tour if at all possible.

Important criteria are:

• How big are the classes?
• How engaged and helpful are the professors?
• Where do people usually hang out?
• Are there any particular reasons?
• Who gives the lectures (students, faculty?)
• Who grades the student exams?
• Are grades the only thing students talk about?

Plan some time for the student union and talking to students at random. Look up some of your own high school alumni from that particular school. If done right, they will sometimes allow you to sit in on one of their lectures.