College visits can serve a number of different purposes. First, they show a school that you care enough to come and take a closer look at their campus. Second, college visits help you decide if it is school that seems like a good fit for you. Finally, visiting a college provides the opportunity to get answers to questions that may not be available on the college website or materials sent from the school.
Some families take college visits in their student's junior year of high school while others may wait until their student is a senior and narrowed down the list. There is no perfect time for a college visit, but it is always a good idea to try and go when a school is in session.
Jake wanted to see some schools in California so his family decided to take a trip. Unfortunately, he did not call ahead so Jake was only able to take self-guided tours and never met anyone from the admission's offices. Pete, on the other hand, made out a list of schools where he wanted to take college visits. He called in advance and made an appointment for an interview, college tour, and information session at each school.
Jake's college visits probably weren't particularly helpful, whereas Pete's made sure his college visits counted.
How can you make your college visits count?
1. SET UP A SCHEDULE: Call ahead to make sure there are students on the campus and inquire whether they give interviews, college tours, and information sessions. Try to allow an entire morning or afternoon for each visit. An overnight stay is always an extra benefit.
2. PREPARE YOURSELF: Arrive early so you have plenty of time to get to an interview or college tour. Dress neatly but be comfortable. Have some questions you would like to ask about the school. These should be questions that are not answered on their website or in other information you may have received.
3. EXPLORE THE CAMPUS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY:
Even if your tour does not include some areas that interest you, ask the tour guide if you might have an opportunity to see them. If you are interested in biology, you should visit the science department and see how it is equipped. Check out the nearest town and see if it meets your needs.
4. TAKE NOTES: At the end of your college visits, write down some comments about each school. What did you like and were there things you didn't like? What was your overall impression? Did you like some dorms more than others? Could you see yourself as a student there? While you always think you remember each college visit, it is easy to confuse one school with another once you return home.
5: FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU: Always ask for a business card from any college admissions people you meet. To make college visits count, send a short thank you note once you return home. This should not be an email, but an actual note.
Susie Watts is a private college counselor and educational consultant. She is the founder of College Direction in Denver, Colorado. To receive the free College Direction monthly college planning newsletter, go to http://www.collegedirection.org. Susie Watts assists with choosing a college, the essay and application process, and provides college planning services for students of all abilities, including learning differences.
College visits can serve a number of different purposes. First, they show a school that you care enough to come and take a closer look at their campus. Second, college visits help you decide if it is school that seems like a good fit for you. Finally, visiting a college provides the opportunity to get answers to questions that may not be available on the college website or materials sent from the school.Some families take college visits in their student's junior year of high school while others may wait until their student is a senior and narrowed down the list. There is no perfect time for a college visit, but it is always a good idea to try and go when a school is in session.
Jake wanted to see some schools in California so his family decided to take a trip. Unfortunately, he did not call ahead so Jake was only able to take self-guided tours and never met anyone from the admission's offices. Pete, on the other hand, made out a list of schools where he wanted to take college visits. He called in advance and made an appointment for an interview, college tour, and information session at each school.
Jake's college visits probably weren't particularly helpful, whereas Pete's made sure his college visits counted.
How can you make your college visits count?
1. SET UP A SCHEDULE: Call ahead to make sure there are students on the campus and inquire whether they give interviews, college tours, and information sessions. Try to allow an entire morning or afternoon for each visit. An overnight stay is always an extra benefit.
2. PREPARE YOURSELF: Arrive early so you have plenty of time to get to an interview or college tour. Dress neatly but be comfortable. Have some questions you would like to ask about the school. These should be questions that are not answered on their website or in other information you may have received.
3. EXPLORE THE CAMPUS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY: Even if your tour does not include some areas that interest you, ask the tour guide if you might have an opportunity to see them. If you are interested in biology, you should visit the science department and see how it is equipped. Check out the nearest town and see if it meets your needs.
4. TAKE NOTES: At the end of your college visits, write down some comments about each school. What did you like and were there things you didn't like? What was your overall impression? Did you like some dorms more than others? Could you see yourself as a student there? While you always think you remember each college visit, it is easy to confuse one school with another once you return home.
5: FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU: Always ask for a business card from any college admissions people you meet. To make college visits count, send a short thank you note once you return home. This should not be an email, but an actual note.
Susie Watts is a private college counselor and educational consultant. She is the founder of College Direction in Denver, Colorado. To receive the free College Direction monthly college planning newsletter, go to www.collegedirection.org. Susie Watts assists with choosing a college, the essay and application process, and provides college planning services for students of all abilities, including learning differences.
