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Underclassmen – How to Make the Most of Your College Visits

by Claudine Vainrub, Principal of EduPlan / Thursday, 01 March 2018 / Published in College Admissions

The College Visit 

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

Basic Visit 

  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 the college.

Extended Visit 

In addition to the basic visit schedule – an information session, a campus tour, and a meal on campus – ask if you can add the following appointments at the schools that you are most interested in.

  1. Meet individually with an admissions counselor. Ask more about special programs, what the college has to offer, and your admissions expectations.  IMPORTANT: Get a business card from an admissions person.
  2. Meet with a financial aid advisor. What types of financial aid and/or merit scholarships do they offer? What questions do your parents have that need answered?
  3. Meet with an advisor for the major you are interested in. Learn more about the courses and professors in your selected field of study.
  4. Visit a class. Before your visit, get permission to sit in on a class. This gives you a feel for what college will be like, and what it would feel like to be a student there.

Overnight Visit

  • 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.

Check with your counselor for a list of colleges that offer overnight stays. Save overnight visits for your top college choices.

  

On Your Visit 

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

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

Follow up after your visit 

  • Send an email to admissions or college representative (on the business card you picked up) as a thank you for the visit.
  • Create a folder on your computer called College Visit Form. Record your visit in a spreadsheet and save to this folder. List the Pros/Cons on the Decisions Tab.
  • Add visits as milestones or tasks. Use college profiles to learn about a school.

 Take Action 

Make plans now to visit colleges on your list. Enjoy your visits and find which school fits you best!

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