Make the Most of Your Campus Visit
Photo by Meredith Spencer on Unsplash
by Jennifer L.
Vising a college campus is one of the most important ways of discovering which campus is the best fit for you. You can experience the school behind the website and social media posts and truly get the “vibe” of the school. By visiting and looking at a college through your eyes, you begin to determine what college meets your specific needs.
What is important to you in a dream college is unique to you. While visiting a college campus, keep the following in mind to help you understand the student experience:
1) Visit when school is in session so you can get a feeling of what the campus is like when class is in session.
2) Talk to students, faculty, and staff. Set up an admission tour and a meeting with an admissions counselor, if possible. Research whether you can attend a class in your intended area of study.
3) Ask questions to the college representatives that can’t be found on the college’s website. What do you like about the school? Why did you decide to attend? What do you do in your free time?
4) Tour the dorms and the academic buildings where classes are held.
5) Visit the dining halls and food options available. Check out the daily menus! Be sure there is enough variety and options to meet any dietary needs.
6) Walk through the library, gym, and other campus facilities.
7) Explore the nearby city or town. What do you think of the local community? Do many students live in off-campus housing?
8) Determine your route to get to and from the campus via the airport, train, or bus station. How long is your journey from home to campus?
9) Keep notes! It is important to remember your first impressions of a school. You may be visiting and researching many more schools in the future and it is important to have personalized notes for reference when it is time to build your college list. In many cases, you may be answering an essay prompt that asks you why you want to attend the school. Personalizing your response to something you remember from your visit will make your response more meaningful and unique to you.
If visiting a campus is not possible, don’t worry! Be sure to visit a college’s admissions website where virtual tours and admissions events are always available. These are great tools, as well for determining if a school is the right fit for you.
Besides navigating college visits, IvyBoost’s counseling can give students advice on building a well-balanced college list and preparing their essays for their applications!