College Visits Part 1: Planning
Good planning for a college visit keeps logistics from getting in the way of your opinion of the college. Spring Break and Summer are very busy times, so plan ahead! Here are some tips on how to set up your upcoming trip for success:
Check the college admissions website for available campus tours and info sessions. Colleges usually offer both morning and afternoon sessions so that you have options for travel and the ability to officially see two schools in one day if time and distance permit. Sign up for the sessions immediately - availability can be an issue, so it’s better to secure your spot and adjust if need be.
Don’t plan on visiting more than two colleges in one day. Information overload will cause the schools to blend together and fatigue could result in an unnecessarily negative view.
Check the admissions website for recommendations on nearby hotels and make a reservation at a spot that allows you to wander campus on your own.
Plan to have a meal in a dining hall (ask admissions for a voucher), student union, or a spot recommended by your tour guide to get a feel for the kind of students that attend the college. Do some research in advance so you know where these spots are.
Check to see if there are separate college/departmental info sessions to attend. Or, have your student reach out to the department of the major they are interested in to see if you can meet with a professor or student to ask questions and get a feel for the academic program. Schedule this as soon as you have scheduled your admissions tour.
Allow time at the end of your visit to find the campus bookstore if college merchandise is within your budget. Pro-tip for parents: if/what they choose can give you some idea of how they feel about the school if they are tight-lipped…hoodie? They loved it. Sticker? Meh. They don’t need to go? It’s off the list.
Prepare for your visit: review your College Research Scavenger Hunt spreadsheet to remember what you wanted to see in person!
