Campus visits are an essential part of the college selection process. Students should not rely on slick marketing material or a good college website to tell them all they need to know about how well that school would fit a particular student’s needs. Some people assume that only high school seniors need to tour colleges but it is perfectly appropriate to tour colleges throughout 9th-12th grades.
If you are considering touring colleges in the near future, there are some things you can do to make the most of the trip.
Call or E-mail ahead of time - Most schools have group tours available a few times a day. To get the most from your visit, plan ahead and ask to be scheduled for a tour. Make sure to arrive on time. Don't just drop in. You will be much more pleasantly received when you show respect for the Admission staff's time. Following the tour, there is often an opportunity for students and parents to have a private meeting with a member of the admission’s staff to answer specific questions.
Dress for the occasion - Even though it is not a formal interview, show respect for the institution and the importance of the visit by dressing conservatively and appropriately. Since you'll probably have a walking tour of the campus, wear comfortable shoes.
Research the school ahead of time - Again, show respect for the admissions people by doing some homework ahead of time. Ask questions that show you have looked at the school seriously and that this is more than a superficial visit. Ask questions like, "I saw on your website that you have a strong study abroad program. I've always thought I'd like to spend a year abroad in college. Is that program only open to certain majors or to all students?"
Have a list of thoughtful questions - Consider your intended major(s) and ask questions that show you are putting serious thought into your college choice. Some good questions to ask may be:
"I'm hoping to go on to med school after college. Do you know your pre-med students' acceptance rate into med school?"
"I plan to major in PR and Marketing and would like to get as much practical experience in that area as possible while I'm in school. Does the school help students set up internships or summer jobs that relate to their major?"
"What are the most active student groups on campus?"
"Is on-campus housing guaranteed for all four years or just for freshmen?"
How to ask about scholarships - A campus visit is not the time to discuss the details of financial aid. Save that conversation for later in the process. However, at this point there is a great way to ask about scholarships. The student should say something like, "I want to be as responsible as I can about how I approach financing my education. How can I find out about available scholarships and how to be considered for them?"
Write down your impressions as soon as possible - You think you will remember all the details of your visit but after you have seen a few colleges, you'll start to think, "Which college was the one with the cool new gym?" Make notes about your impressions, how you felt on campus, if people were friendly, if the campus was clean, if they had a major that was just right for you, etc.
Send a "Thank You" follow up - An e-mail to follow up this meeting will suffice but if you want to go old school, a handwritten note is always impressive. Thank your admissions person for their time and efforts. Make sure they have your correct e-mail and/or phone number so they can contact you about future high-school overnight weekends or special functions.
Elizabeth Hartley is a successful author, weekly columnist, feature writer, speaker, and private coach who desires to help all students have a successful and meaningful future.
For more information on this topic, visit her site at www.CollegeScholarshipPlan.com.
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