Campus Visit Extravaganza

I remember the college visit tour I went on with my dad the fall of my senior year. The excitement, the anticipation, the anxiety. I had selected five colleges to visit, and there were certain campuses I was more eager to see than others. The college I believed was my top choice was the first stop on the trip. I am so grateful I visited before making my final college decision. After spending a full day there, including an overnight stay in the dorms, my perception changed completely. The college, which was initially at the top of my list, was no longer even a contender. The campus felt wrong, the student community didn't feel like a good fit, the academic programs I was interested in were not emphasized as main institutional priorities...it wasn't the right fit for me.

Visiting college campuses can be a crucial aspect of the college selection process. However, visiting every college a student is interested in can also be financially unfeasible for many families. How does one make the most of each campus visit and is there a way to get a sense of the campus community without breaking the bank with a multitude of visits?

Virtual Tours

If there is a positive that came out of the COVID pandemic, it is the increase in colleges that offer virtual tours. Whereas you used to have to take a plane, train, or automobile to visit campuses, now you simply visit the institution's website to get a sense of what the campus looks like. While it isn't an exhaustive tour, it certainly provides a basic sense of the campus and community (and it's free!).

Personalize Your Tour

If you do make an in-person visit to a campus, I highly suggest you come prepared. College tours are led by students who can give you statistics about the college all day long, but I encourage you to go beyond what they tout during the standard tour.

Visit a Class

Knowing what a class is like on campus is important, after all that is the main reason you are headed to college. Ask to sit in on a class during your campus tour. If you know what you want to focus on in your studies, request a class in that area. Not sure, ask to sit in on a first-year required class.

Ask Questions!

The tour and the website can bombard you with answers, but asking questions during your tour can give a more subjective sense of the campus. Stop a student and ask what activities they are involved in. Ask your tour guide something specific about your intended field of study that isn't answered by the website. Ask a professor why they like teaching there. You'll get a better sense of the academic and social community if you go beyond the surface questions.

While asking questions sounds easy, this can be challenging. I recall my dad encouraging 17-year-old me to ask questions and feeling mortified at the thought of drawing attention to myself. However, remember that college I ruled out during my campus visit, it was partially because I asked a student about the weekend vibe on campus. Apparently, many students left campus during the weekends (which wouldn't be possible for me as an out-of-state student), and those who stayed on campus were a little more invested in partying than I was anticipating.

Challenge yourself to come up with a unique question for each college before you begin the tour. That can alleviate the pressure to think on your feet when you are trying to soak in the campus tour.

Visit the College Career Center

When choosing a college, the emphasis should be on the education you will receive, but it's also important to consider how the college will help prepare you for the workforce. Knowing the resources that are available at a college to assist with that transition can be beneficial. According to Jeffrey Selingo, "Nothing predicts underemployment [in the five-years post-graduation] more than the absence of an internship." (Dream School, 233). Internships have benefits beyond what is experienced during the tenure of the internship—academic, emotional, and financial benefits. Does the college have resources to help you secure an internship or gain practical experience? What about connections for networking or to alumni in your field of study? A college's career center can offer a wealth of information about how it prepares you for life after your college career.

Admitted Student Days

One great way to cut down on the quantity of visits is to wait for admitted student days. A decision has already been made about whether or not you are admitted, so it can be a good chance to see if it is actually a good fit for you. Can you see yourself walking on the campus in the coming fall? What sort of programs are available to first-year students to help with the transition to college life (both academic and social)? These visits also occur closer to decision deadlines so your impression will be more fresh when you sit down to choose a college.

Enjoy the Experience!

Remember that during campus visits, colleges are auditioning for you, not the other way around. Make sure the community is a good fit for you, and remember to record your impressions right away. Campus visits can mix together when it comes time to make a decision and notes can help organize your thoughts.

Most importantly, let the visits inspire excitement about what the future holds! PS - This can be a great tool if you planning to road trip it! https://sylviakgborgo.notion.site/Campus-Visits-16fb52cd518b803cbcf1cd448d9af319