Planning your college visit

Your guidance office can help you plan your visit or you can call the admissions office and set up your visit yourself.  Most colleges offer tours on a regular basis.  Interviews are harder to schedule and are not automatically part of the visit.  You can request an interview if you want one.  Ask, if possible, to talk to students in your areas of interest. Parents are welcome to attend but do not participate in the interview.

Before you go:

1.  Schedule your interview well in advance of your visit.  Competitive colleges strongly recommend interviews.  Since competitive schools conduct a lot of interviews, call early. Interviews last from 35 to 40 minutes.

2.  While there is no one "best" time to visit a college, there are a few times that are not good.  For example, visits made when students are on vacation or in final exams, or holding "party weekends" will give an incomplete and often inaccurate picture.

3.  Phone ahead to the admissions office to find out what opportunities will be available to you when you visit.  Also, be sure to check what might be required, such as an interview or music audition.  Visit options may include:

a) Campus tours

b) Group information sessions

c) Attending classes

d) Staying with students in residence halls

e) Individual meetings with admissions officers, professors, coaches, etc.

4.  Be knowledgeable.  Read over the college's view books before you get to the campus so that you know what the college offers and what it views as its strengths. Read the college's materials thoroughly ahead of time.  Make a list of questions and points to clarify during your visit.

5.  Arrive on campus early enough to allow time for finding the admissions office and locating a parking place.

6.  Depending on the college and its proximity to you, you may want to visit informally as a junior and then return for a more focused visit in the fall of your senior year.

7.  Decide which options meet your needs and schedule appointments if necessary.

8.  Schedule your "first choice" college visits last, when you are more experienced in the process.

While you are there:

1.  Interview tips:

a) Show enthusiasm.  Be able to explain why you are interested in a particular college.  The more you can articulate your idea of what you want from your college education and what you bring to the college, the clearer your thinking will be.

b) Talk and have questions. 

1) Be prepared to elaborate on your interests, academics, extracurricular activities, etc. and to explain why you want to major in a particular area.  If you do not know what your major will be, be able to explain the options you are considering.  Offer as many details and examples as you can.  Its all right to be uncertain, just is able to explain your uncertainty.

c) Relax.  Both you and the college are looking for a match. While you want to make a good impression on them, they are equally concerned that they make a good impression on you.

2.  When you talk to admissions representatives, ask them:

a) Does the college have academic programs that fit your interests?

b) What is the average class size?  Are classes taught by PhD's or graduate assistants?

c) Will you have access too computers and other special equipment?

d) Where are students from?  Is the campus diverse?  Can you study abroad?

3.  Quality and Accessibility of Faculty:  Ask other students on campus.

4.  Housing/Food:  The housing will probably be okay, and food much better than you expect.

5.  Extracurricular:  A real chance to grow, and perhaps a significant weight in admissions

6.  As you tour the campus, ask yourself

a) Are the residence halls pleasant and quiet enough to study in?

b) What's the cafeteria like?

c) Do you like the surrounding town or city?

After the Interview

1.  Send the interviewer a thank you note after the interview.

2.  View the college critically in terms of your priorities.  Consider both the academic and social life on campus.  Remember, you may spend four very important years there!

3.  Social Atmosphere/Tone/The People Who Go There:  It's far more important that it seems at first.  Most colleges are "party" schools so don't go by reputation or hearsay.  Social aspects are important but not priority.

4.  Outcomes/Careers/Placement After Graduation:  Check for the "little" things that may truly make the difference like clubs, events, concerts, etc. (Outing Clubs)

5.  Do campus posters publicize activities that interest you?

6.  What internships and career services are available?

7.  What new programs or facilities will be available in the near future?

8.  When your visit is over, ask yourself:

a) How did you feel about the academic demands and atmosphere?

b) Were the students the kind of people you'd like to get to know?

c) Did you like the social atmosphere?

d) Are you comfortable with the size of the college and the average class size?