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Everything You'll Need Before Visiting A CollegeAug 20 '06 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Visiting a school is very important. Be prepared! Visiting a college is probably the most helpful and influential aspect of the decision process. Here's everything you'll need to know: Before You Get There Call Admissions First things first. Go to the college's website and get the phone number of the Admissions office and give them a ring. They will get you organized with everything you'll need to visit for the day. Ask them if they can schedule you for a guided tour. Often the Admission's office will provide you with free food vouchers, maps, brochures and various other goodies. Also they very knowledgable of the surrounding area and can recommend hotels, restaurants and site-seeing opportunities. Research You will be looking at a lot of schools this year and it will be hard to keep them all straight. Make a list about what makes the school you're visiting special. Are you interested in it's drama department? Does the city excite you? Is their world-class lacrosse team sound like fun? Make sure you know why it is you're visiting so you can ask tons of questions. Get Lodging Get a hotel near campus. That way you will get a sense of what the surrounding area is like. I'm getting ahead of myself but try to keep the driving to a minimum. It is more likely you will be walking around campus and surrounding areas than driving so see what's within walking distance. Once You Get There Take an Unguided Tour First Before you take the official tour just get a sense of campus. Take in the outside, look at the landscapes, the buildings, the dorms and the size of the campus. If you are going during the school year just people-watch. See what the students are like, how they interact with each other. Then Take the Real Tour Take the tour, that's a requirement. Make sure you pay attention and ask tons of questions. As a former tour guide, the more questions you ask the better, we love to answer them. Ask if you can see inside a dorm room, usually you can. Also, make sure you ask about your specific areas of interest. After the tour is over the guide can direct you to the theater, sports coach or specific department. Also, take pictures! Most campus are going to start running together in your head. Take photos of key spots on campus you like so you can remember them later. Eat the Food Get lunch or dinner on campus one night. Since you are visiting on a random day you are going to get a real sense of what the food is like on any given day. Don't be too judgemental...it could be an off day! Stay Overnight! Many schools offer this option. They will allow prospective students to stay overnight in a current student's dorm. This can be a valuable experience. It allows you to get a real sense of what the school is like when not observed by parents. However if you have a bad experience do not completely write off the school, you could have just gotten a bad host. Go To Class Also many schools will allow you to attend a class. Ask the Office of Admissions if can visit a classroom and shadow a class that interests you. Again, since you are visiting on a random day you will get an idea for how class is run and what the students are like in an academic setting and how you will fit in this mix. Walk Around Town Take a break from campus and wander around the area surrounding the school. Go to the shops nearby. If there's a mall check out the selection of stores. Get a coffee at the local cafe, take in a movie at the theater, go out to dinner at the Italian restaurant. See what the town has to offer. If you go to this school you'll want to know what there is to do when you're not studying! When You Get Home Write Down Your Impressions Make a little note of how you felt about the school. Write the pros and cons of the school while its fresh in your mind. Visiting a school is critical to deciding where to go. Before you can really choose a college that you will be going to for 4 years you really have to see it and imagine yourself there. Use these steps and you'll get the most out of every minutes of your visit!  |
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