Top 6 Tips for Visiting Colleges

While you can learn a great deal about colleges by reading books, using the internet, and talking to students, there's really no substitute for visiting the place where you're considering spending the next four years. Here are some tips to think about while you're visiting colleges.

     1.    Research First!

The time to research colleges is before you visit. Not only will doing some research help you make a better decision about which colleges you want to visit, but you'll also be able to ask more informed questions and know exactly what programs and campus locations to explore further.

In addition to reviewing a college guidebook such as the Fiske Guide, consider purchasing college video tours such as those offered by TheU and Collegiate Choice.

     2.    Take the Tour, but Also Explore on Your Own

You should definitely take the tour offered by the college's admissions office - the tours usually do a great job of showing you many of the major areas of interest on campus, and the tour guides are knowledgeable and able to answer a lot of your questions.

But you should also make sure that you take some time to explore the campus on your own. This was you can see areas that interest you particularly, as well as places that the college might not have wanted you to see.

     3.   Take Notes

If you don't write down your impressions of a school, your memory of your college visit may eventually fade to your general impression along with memories of a few places like a dorm room or the cafeteria. While there's nothing wrong with relying on those gut impressions, you'll appreciate it later on if you have a page or two of notes about your college visit. That way when you're making a final decision, you'll be able to remind yourself of what you found important while you were actually on campus.

     4.   Talk to "Real" Students

When visiting colleges, you should try hard to speak with students who aren't affiliated with the admissions office. Most students are happy to talk about their school, and by "interviewing" people on the quad or walking to class, you may be able to get honest opinions about various aspects of the college.

     5.    Interview

If you can, schedule your visit at a time when you can interview. Not all colleges have interviews, but if you can meet with a member of the admissions staff, their impressions of your meeting will likely go into a file (sometimes regardless of what they say about the nature of the interview). For most students, this face time will be a plus in the admissions process.

     6.     Try to Make Your Visit Specific to Your Interests

One of the more important aspect of choosing a school is finding a place where you can pursue your interests and passions. Try to schedule appointments or visits that will help you learn more about these areas of interest. If you're interested in chemistry, see if you can meet with a chemistry professor. If you're an artist, visit the art studio.