Tips for College Visits

10 Tips for College Visits 

1. Learn about the college before you visit. Read material from the college and check out their website. If you are visiting more than one on a particular day, refresh your memory about that school just before you arrive. Be sure to spend at least a half day at each college. 
2. Evaluate the campus's environment. Is the campus too big or small for you? Do you like the nearby town or do you feel isolated? Consider how you would get around campus, particularly in the rain or snow.
3. Visit the admissions office and participate in an information session. Ask questions that help you clarify the academic programs at the school, and understand what type of student is most comfortable and successful there. If you have scheduled a formal interview with an admissions staff member, bring a printed copy of your resume. Dress nicely, but not out of character.
4. Take the student-led tour of campus. A self-guided tour is fine if you can't take one led by a student, but the student-led tours can give you a lot more insight and gives you the opportunity to ask questions about campus life from a peer. Recognize, however, that your tour guide may not be the most representative of a typical student of that school. The tour may not be scripted and therefore can be affected by that individual student's experience (or lack of), and know that students in some cases are paid to formally represent the school.
5. Check out the dorms. Find out about the dorm options available, such as all-freshman or coed floors. Arrange in advance to spend the night in a dorm, if possible. Picture yourself living in a dorm. Are you comfortable with where it is located on campus, such as the proximity to classes or the student center?
6. Arrange for campus meetings with department heads in the subject that interests you most. Also meet with coaches in sports where you excel, if you might attend as a student-athlete. Bring your resume with you. Ask about opportunities based on your skills and interests. Write down the names of any officials you meet with and send personal follow-ups and thank-you notes when you return home.
7. Sit in on classes and check out the library. How is the rapport between students and faculty in the classroom? Look through the books and explore the technology available at the library. Look for quiet places to study.
8. Look into life beyond academics. Check out the athletic facilities, theater, and student center. Read the notices posted in the dorms or on bulletin boards. Can you see yourself participating in some of the posted activities or joining the advertised groups?
9. Eat lunch in the student center and watch student interactions. Talk with students all over campus about their impressions of the school. Look at the students themselves. Do you feel comfortable among them?

Write down your impressions of each college you visit. After a while, the visions of different schools start to blur if you don’t immediately stop to record your thoughts! Keep a list of pros and cons for comparison. Also consider taking some photos to help you keep track of the campuses you visit.