A parent of a rising high school sophomore recently reached out and asked if it was the proper time to start scheduling college visits. It’s wonderful that she’s thinking ahead this summer. College visits are important for any student who is on the path towards continuing their education beyond high school. For a rising sophomore, it might be a tad too early, but if you have a rising junior, now is your time!
So where to start?
Our recommendation is to begin with a fresh new notebook (paper or digital) where students can collect their thoughts, write down ideas to consider, and take notes about which schools they might be interested in. There’s a lot to ponder so keeping notes in one place is going to be helpful. First, students need to make note of and envision their desired college experience. Would they be comfortable in a large school or might a smaller school be better, a city school or one in the country? How far from home should they be? Do they already have an idea about a major they'd like to pursue? Are they interested in participating in the music school or marching band? What about college athletics? The questions are endless, but thinking about them, even broadly, helps to refine the school search.
Next, set aside the second section of the notebook to collect on-line information about individual schools that already hold an interest. You might note: the school’s location, admission criteria, housing information, majors offered, athletic and musical opportunities, extracurriculars, and - maybe most importantly – cost, including the percentage of students who are offered scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.
Now, it is time to plan college visits. Colleg visits whold take place when you can get an accurate picture of what student life is really like; visit while school is in session and consider: how busy the student union is, how students maneuver their way around campus easily, whether you see students hanging out together and enjoying time on the quad or other gathering spots, or are they busy rushing around without interacting with each other? These may seem like unimportant factors, but they will give a general feel for the campus culture. If possible, see if you can sit in on a class, lab, or lecture. This will give you the opportunity to see students in action, hear different perspectives, get a taste of what classroom learning in a college is like, and will help you to form an opinion of the school.
The best time to visit is generally Monday-Thursday. Fall is a great time to go, but spring is also ideal for students considering early application/early decision submissions. Do not go during mid-terms or finals as you’re not going to get an accurate vision of what day-to-day student life is like, and avoid weekends, and holiday breaks. You want to see the campus in action!
In the third section of your notebook, make note of what you would like to do during your college visit as well as questions you'll want to ask. If you are an athlete, a visit with the coach and a trip to the gym is appropriate. If you are already interested in a particular field, you’ll want to meet with the department head or a professor who teaches in that school. Also, ask to visit a dorm so you can visualize what living on campus will entail. Talking to someone in the financial aid department is a must, whether you think you’re going to need assistance in that area or not, it’s good to know what they have to offer and learn how they can help. It's importatnt to have conversations with people so you can learn more about the school, the indiviual departments, and what the professors or students like best about their program. Through these conversations, you’ll gain useful information that you may not have even considered, and thinking about your questions ahead of time will take the pressure off when you are face-to-face.
Finally, it's time to set up a school visit! Ask for a personal visit rather than a group tour. This way your guide will focus on your specific interests and needs, and you’re more likely to get a tour that caters to you and your questions.
After your visit, create a fourth section in your notebook. Dedicate it to getting your thoughts together, jotting down your impression, answers to questions, and questions you wish you’d asked so you can follow up once you get back home. If you’ve taken photos on campus, the town, and any other points of interest, add them to this section of your digital notebook as well. I know this might sound like a bother, but after you visit a number of different schools, you’ll be glad you took the time to take these notes.
A final thought: it’s important that student and parents are comfortable with the final school of choice and that everyone feels confident that a stellar education can be obtained there. The adventure of college visits and decision making can be a great time if you are prepared, so enjoy the process!
