How to Make the Most Out of Your College Visits

Spring break is quickly approaching, and many high school students are taking advantage of their time off to go on college visits. Spring time is a wonderful time to start visiting colleges, but before you go, there are a few things that can really make your visit worth your time.

The most ideal time to visit a college is when classes are in session. So even though your high school may be on spring break, try to aim for visiting schools that are not on their spring break. This also means that if you can visit during the weekday, that is the optimal time to be on campus. In this way, you can see what a regular day-in-the-life looks like, chat with students, and see the vitality of the school while classes are in session. 

Visiting a college has many advantages. It gives you an opportunity to learn about different types of schools and shows you what attributes you enjoy and what you do not enjoy in any college and campus. Even if you tour a school that is not a top choice for you, it will give you a sense of the qualities you should be looking for in your college search.  And visiting a school you do like demonstrates your interest to that particular school. This is advantageous when applying to that college and will give you impressions to write about in your application essay.

The first place to start when planning your college visit is to do extensive research on the school. That means reading through their website, reading journals about the college, and perhaps even taking a virtual tour before visiting the campus in person. The information you have before seeing the campus will help you guide your conversations with admission officers and students and help answer questions that are not addressed in brochures and websites. Plan out the logistics of your visit and map out how to visit multiple colleges. Aim for no more than two colleges per day. You’ll want at least three hours at each school. You are going to want time to walk around the neighborhood outside of campus, eat at the dining halls, get a feel of the area outside of the college, and talk to students about their impressions. Allow ample time at each school to give you the opportunity to accomplish all of those things.

Typically, colleges offer both information sessions and campus tours.  Information sessions are group sessions that cover information about the application process and general information about the school itself. It is presented by a member of the college’s admissions team. Some schools offer daily information sessions, while some only offer them once per week. Campus tours, on the other hand, are led by college students and typically last about an hour. Not only will you be seeing campus buildings and facilities, but you will also be getting a first hand account of what it is like to be a student there.  Most colleges offer virtual campus tours as well, but of course it is much more difficult to get the “feel” of the school virtually. We recommend you sign up for both the information session AND the campus tour when you go and visit.

Make sure you sign up for the information session and campus tour ahead of time before you go. Some schools may even allow you to arrange appointments with faculty or have special tours of departments.  When signing up, be sure to use the same email address that you will use when you apply to the school. This will be one way that the school can track you and again demonstrates your interest in the college. Additionally, when you arrive on campus, make sure to fill out a card or form at the admissions office. This will be another piece of information they will have from you.

Once you are out on the campus tour, the high school students should stay towards the front of the group and have questions ready for the student guide. Parents should stay at the back and take notes and pictures. Ultimately, as you walk around campus ask yourself “Can I picture myself here”? Trust your gut! Taking thoughtful notes will help determine your interest of the school and will help you write meaningful essays. Take the time to sit down after each visit and write out your impressions and compare and contrast notes between the student and parent as you make a list of pros and cons. 

After your visit, email a thank you note to those who were helpful on your visit. Remember to write down the names of the individuals you met so you can have a meaningful contact with them after your visit. If you met an admissions officer while you were there, mention something specific about the encounter that impressed you. It will help them remember who you are. Be sincere and thank them for their time.

The college visit can be one of the most enlightening components of your college search process. There is nothing quite like being on the campus, interacting with the community, and getting a sense of the culture that most quickly highlights if that school is a contender for you. It is the time when you really can determine if the school is a good fit and if you would feel comfortable there for the next four years. Campus visits will be a key component to helping you make your college selection decision.