We have heard from many students who have made campus visits that once they “walked onto the campus” they knew if the school was the right choice for them. There is something about the “feel” a student gets when they do a real campus visit. Remember, this is where you (the student) will be living for at least the next 4 years!
It is best to visit the campus when it is in session, although this is not always possible. May and September are great times to visit for good weather but if you do not like cold and snow, you might want to visit during the winter to get a feel of the months you won’t like!
There are several things you should do on a college visit. Here are a few:
- Be prepared by studying the website before you go.
- Make a list of questions-we can help with that.
- To get a feel, take the standard tour first.
- Be sure to visit any Q&A sessions in the admissions office and the financial aid office.
- Visit the dorms, especially the dorm where you would live.
- Try the food.
- Ask students you run into questions about the campus. (Do you like it?)
- Sit in on a class, if possible
Can’t make a visit? Don’t despair. Although there is nothing like the real thing, there are alternatives. Here are some suggestions:
- Get an information packet from the schools you have chosen.
- Contact the admissions office. Ask them questions. Some colleges actually keep track of who shows an interest in their college and it can have an impact on admissions.
- Spend time on the college website. Be sure to include perusing their college catalogue. Read about the classes you would take. Check out the major you are interested in pursuing.
- Check the campus out with Google Earth, Facebook and other social media.
- Through our online management tools, we also have virtual tours available on most all colleges.
For more information, visit Big Future’s Why Visit Colleges?
