There is Something About A College Campus Covered in Snow…

February and spring breaks are great times to visit campuses. For northern colleges, if you love them in the snow and cold, you will always love them. If you are visiting down south or out west, it is a great escape from the rough weather.

Here are some things to consider when planning college visits: 

1) Always try to book an official tour and information session. 

2) If all of the official tours and/or information sessions are filled but you still decide to visit somewhere, please, at a minimum, stop by the admissions office and sign in. It is important for a college to know that you have made the effort to visit. Demonstrated Interest is very important to colleges, and a visit is a great sign of demonstrated interest.

3) Is there a particular major or extracurricular that you are interested in? Reach out to a professor for a certain class or the head of the club you like. Maybe you can meet with them or sit in on a class while you are on campus. Maybe you like a certain sport and have time to watch a game. If food is very important to you, maybe the college allows outsiders to eat in the dining hall. It is a great way to check out current students and see how good the food is.  

4) Don’t be afraid to stop and ask current students questions. Mom and Dad, sometimes it is helpful if you do this for your child. I know it is not always “cool,” but it is usually a very valuable way to get information. Is the food good? Are the dorms nice? How hard is it to get the classes you want? Is the campus overcrowded? Are students living in triples or waiting in line for an excessively long time to eat in the dining hall? What are the hot topics on campus right now? What do you wish you knew about this college when you apply? Let the conversation take you anywhere. Asking for directions is always a great way to start a conversation. 

5) Make sure to explore not just the campus but the surrounding community as well. Check out College Trips and Tips for ideas on what to see and where to eat. 

6) Take time to explore any other colleges that might be close by. You never know when you will like something totally different than what you expected. 

7) Most importantly, take notes on every college you see. Keep your top priority questions in mind when you do this. You do not have to write things down while you are in the middle of your tour, but when you sit down for lunch or get back in your car, jot down a few notes on your phone. It will help you to remember what you liked and did not like about each college. You will also really appreciate having those notes when you have to write your  “why us?” supplement for that college. 

Questions to ask tour guide/students: 

•What do you like best about your college? 

•When did you last meet individually with a teacher? Is it easy to get help from your professors?  

•What is the glue that binds social life and students together (sports, Greek life, academics, outdoors?) 

•Can you tell me more about the advising system? And how does this college support undecided 

students as they explore possible majors? 

•How large was the biggest class you have had? Have you had many of that size? 

•Do you do a lot of group projects? 

•Do you have trouble getting into the classes that you want or need for graduation? 

•Is it common to interact with students from different backgrounds? 

•What clubs are the most popular; is there one type of activity that dominates? 

•What kind of events draw a crowd?  

•What do students do at night - parties, games, performing arts, what are parties like? 

•How many nights/week do students go out? 

•Can you tell me something about this college that really surprised you when you got here? 

•If you could change anything about your college, what would it be? 

•What are the big issues on campus these days? 

•How is the housing? Is it a stressful experience figuring out where you're going to live each year? 

•If the school was given a pot of money, what would you like the school to do with it? 

•Do you need to apply or interview for clubs, or can anyone join? 

•Is this an intense place or more laid back? 

•Is this a strong community? Is there a lot of school spirit? 

•Have you worked with alumni or the campus career office to get internships? 

Please remember that visits are the best way to decide if you like somewhere, and they are a great show of demonstrated interest. ENJOY!