The Importance of College Campus Visits
by Justin B.
From furniture to jewelry and even from cars to homes, we’ve become increasingly comfortable making major purchases online without seeing it in person, otherwise referred to as “sight unseen.” In fact, a recent Zillow poll revealed that 40% of millennials are comfortable purchasing a home without physically stepping foot inside of it first. In this post, we’ll explore why college campus visits buck this trend, as well as provide some tips to make the most of your on campus experiences.
The irreplaceable value of the on campus visit came to the surface during the pandemic spring of 2020, as colleges closed their campuses to current and future students, high school seniors were forced to make their all important college decision behind a screen.
While you can certainly learn a great deal about a college through virtual tours, admissions presentations and student reviews, there’s no replacement for the in-person visit for one simple reason: the relationships and connections you’ll form with your future classmates will be the most important determining factor of your college success and happiness.
Of course while on campus, you’ll want to see the dorms, hear from faculty members and sample the dining hall food, but the most important thing to do is observe and interact with current students. Do they seem friendly and personable? Is the quad on campus bustling with energy and activity? Is the average student satisfied with their experience?
It can certainly feel intimidating or awkward to approach random students and initiate a conversation, but overcoming this is key to a successful visit. Far more often than not, you’ll find that current students are more than happy to share their insights with you.
In addition to the conversations that high school sophomores and juniors can have on campus with college students, these trips also provide an invaluable opportunity for parents to talk with their students, especially if you’re taking a long road trip in the car, it’s the ideal setting to discuss immediate reactions to the campus, as well as long-term goals and dreams.
For practical and valuable tips regarding visits, definitely check out Counselor Jennifer’s previous post Make the Most of Your Campus Visit, as well as the College Board’s Campus Visit Checklist.