From: College Board / Big Future Website...
Visiting colleges is a great way to get a feel for what college is like. And when the time comes, it can help you decide if a specific college is right for you. Exploring campuses is well worth your while. You don’t have to travel far — visiting local colleges is just as valuable. Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay.
Visiting colleges is a great way to get a feel for what college is like. And when the time comes, it can help you decide if a specific college is right for you. Exploring campuses is well worth your while. You don’t have to travel far — visiting local colleges is just as valuable. Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay.
arrange a visit
All colleges have admission offices that offer campus tours and sometimes even admissions interviews while you are visiting.
Take these important first steps:
Take these important first steps:
- Schedule an on-campus tour through the college's website
- Schedule additional time to be on your own. Walk around the public areas of the college and don't be shy about asking students questions.
what to expect
Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay, from a casual guided tour to a formal presentation. Be sure to ask how long the whole visit will take so you can be prepared.
Most campus visits will include the following:
At many colleges, you can also arrange to do the following:
Most campus visits will include the following:
- An information session. An admission representative talks to you or your group about the college before the campus tour.
- A campus tour. These are usually led by current students. You’ll see the main parts of the campus and have a chance to ask questions.
At many colleges, you can also arrange to do the following:
- Attend a class.
- Meet with a professor.
- Meet with an admission officer.
- Meet with a financial aid officer.
- Attend a club meeting or a sports practice session.
- Eat in the dining hall.
- Spend the night in a dorm.
get ready
Before your visit, you should get prepared:
- Explore the college’s official website and review any materials the college has sent you. This will help you come up with questions specific to that college.
- Make a list of questions to ask both staff and students. You can use the Campus Visit Checklist as a starting point.
- Get a map of the college campus and check where the admission office is. This will help ensure that you're on time for your visit.
- Pack a notebook and use your camera so you can record your impressions. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to forget details after you’ve seen a few colleges.
- Make fair comparisons of the colleges you visit. Print out several copies of the Campus Visit Score Card
