Congratulations! You’ve successfully narrowed down your college options to five or less. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about scheduling some campus visits. You can only learn so much from the website, so if it is possible, plan to visit multiple campus locations before finalizing your decision.
Colleges have admissions offices that can help you schedule a visit, and most have websites that allow you to schedule with just the click of a button. You can always work with your school counselor also, and of course informal tours are an option.
Your campus tour should include an informational session about the college and a tour around campus. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and take pictures of the grounds. These steps will help you determine if the college is going to be a good fit for you.
Many campus tours also include the opportunity to:
- Attend a lecture
- Meet with faculty
- Meet with students and student government
- Eat in the dining hall
- Attend an athletic or student event
Be sure to include these activities in your tour as time permits. These activities are just some of the ways you as a potential student can get a feel for how the college or university operates and what the campus environment is really like.
Take lots of notes about things you like and don’t like while touring the campus, and ask any questions you prepared previously or think of while visiting. Talking to students walking around campus who already attend the school is another great way to see what the college is really like.
Remember: a college or university will be trying to impress you during scheduled campus visits, so if you leave feeling dissatisfied or like you didn’t enjoy your time there, it may be a sign that a particular school is not for you. Good luck!
August 31, 2023 | Part Four | Planning & Preparing for College: a stress-free guide
