What to Look for During College Visits
Reading about colleges online cannot compare to the experience of visiting them in person. Given the importance of choosing where to apply/attend, making the most of your visit is important to ensure you get an accurate picture of what each college has to offer. Here are some steps to take to help you learn as much as possible about a potential college.
Take a Campus Tour: This is obvious but necessary. A tour guide will show you around the facilities and highlight key aspects of the campus, such as classrooms, libraries, and student life centers. Tours give a good sense of the school’s amenities, but only show a curated view of what a school has to offer.
Attend an Information Session: Admissions representatives usually lead information sessions and provide a general introduction to the college. They typically cover topics such as academic programs, admission requirements, and campus life. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and better understand how the college can fit your academic interests.
Talk to Current Students: This is the one thing you MUST do. Talking to current students can be one of the most informative parts of your college visit. These students can provide valuable insight into what it’s like to attend classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and live on campus. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their experiences and what they like and dislike about the college. And to be clear, your tour guide doesn’t count - they are incentivized to paint the school in a positive light, so may present a biased view.
Attend a Student Organization Meeting: Attending a student organization meeting can give you a glimpse into student life at the college. Observing a meeting of a club or student group will give you an idea of the types of activities and involvement opportunities available to students. Your best chance of attending one will be during an admissions weekend.
Visit the Residence Halls: Visiting the residence halls will give you a sense of the living arrangements and what it’s like to live on campus. You can take a tour of the dorms, see the common areas, and, most importantly, get a feel for the atmosphere.
Explore the Surrounding Area: Take a walk or drive around the local community to get a feel for the area and see what is available in terms of restaurants, shopping, and other activities. See if there’s anything you like!
In my opinion, the most difficult college information to find online is the social atmosphere, so I would spend most of my college visit focusing on that. All the other things - academics, location, amenities, etc. - are easy to look up, so don’t spend too much time and energy on those when you’re on campus. By taking these steps, you can better understand a college and determine if it is the right fit for you. Remember to keep an open mind and be prepared to ask lots of questions. Good luck!
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