Tips to Plan an Effective and Successful College Visit

Depending on your time and interest, plan one of the following types of college visits:

Basic Visit – Mostly for Freshman, Sophomore and Junior High School Students:

1. Attend an information session. Ask questions about admissions, financial aid, choice of majors.  IMPORTANT: Get a business card from an admissions person.
2. Do a college and dorm tour. What does the campus look like. Where do freshman live? What are the housing options?
3. Eat a meal on campus.  Go to the dining hall or coffee shop and eat. Introduce yourself to some students and ask questions. You will be surprised at how much they want to share about their college.

Extended Visit – For Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior High School Students:

1. Attend an information session. Ask questions about admissions, financial aid, choice of majors.
2. Meet with an admissions counselor. Learn more about special programs, what the college has to offer, admissions expectations.  IMPORTANT: Get a business card from an admissions person.
3. Meet with a financial aid counselor.  What types of financial aid or merit awards do they offer? Do your parents have any questions that need answered?
4. Do a college and dorm tour. What does the campus look like. Where do freshman live? What are the housing options?
5. Eat a meal on campus.  Go to the dining hall or coffee shop and eat. Introduce yourself to some students and ask questions. You will be surprised at how much they want to share about their college.
6. Meet with an advisor for the major you are interested in. Learn more about the courses and professors in your selected field of study.
7. Visit a class.  Seek permission to sit in on a class on campus.  This gives you a feel for what college will be like, and what it would feel like to be a student there.

Overnight Visit – Mostly for Senior Students that have gained acceptance!

• Many colleges offer overnight or prospective students the chance to spend the night on campus to learn more about the school.
• This is a great way to learn more in depth about academics and student life on campus.
• These visits are usually organized by the college, and include college tours, classes on campus, and the chance to stay in a college dorm with a college student host.

Overnight visits should be saved for colleges you are seriously interested in attending.

On Your Visit

As you do the college tour of the campus, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I feel I would fit in academically here?
• Would I fit in socially here?
• Do I feel comfortable with the physical location?

Contact us for a document on all the questions you could ask during a college visit.

Follow up your visit

• Send an email to admissions or college representative (on the business card you picked up) as a thank you for the visit
• Record your visit on your EduPlan system considering Pros/Cons – write them on a comment.

Enjoy your visits.  Find which school fits you best!