Why go?
Although not always possible, touring prospective colleges is an important part of the college application process. While studying their websites and other research sites is an important first step, there are many things that can only be learned in person. On a campus you can feel what the college is like, and if you could truly be happy there. Visiting campuses can also be helpful if the school has a “Why Us” essay as part of their application. Armed with your personal experience on campus, you can write a heartfelt and effective essay on how that school is distinctly well suited for you. On campus you also have the opportunity to ask questions specific to you and questions that are not among those in the FAQ section of their website.
When to start?
You can start looking at schools at any age, but productive visits most often happen for high school students who are in the process of shaping ideas of what they are looking for and are close enough in age that they can assess the social “vibe” of the students on campus. Whenever you go, the ideal time is when school is in session. This is often not possible, though, so if you are visiting during an academic break, you will not be seeing the campus in full-swing and you need to take this into consideration.
Where to start?
A good first step (and an economic one as well) is to start with a variety of colleges in your area. This is not necessarily to judge if you might want to go to school there but, instead, to “taste” a variety of campuses. Large public schools, faith-based schools, smaller liberal arts colleges are some of the options that you might find right in your own backyard. This might help you determine what types of colleges make you feel the most at home.
How to go?
We have already discussed that you need to keep some things in mind while you are visiting, like if students are on recess. Another thing to be aware of is that the presentation and official tour are marketing devices. They are going to tell you and show you only those things which present the college in its best possible light. It is also important to research the school thoroughly first, so you know what is it that you don’t know. This way you will ask the best questions. Speaking of which, go prepared with questions! Questions whose answers are not answered on their websites. Spoiler alert: my next article will be ideas for questions.
Take pictures and always have the first picture be of the name of the school, so that later you know where the pictures were taken. Also take notes. If you are touring more than one campus, you WILL forget which was which!
Take the official tour for many reasons including demonstrating interest, but after the tour, take one of your own. The tour will be designed to show you the highlights (there is that marketing strategy), so go to other corners of the campus. Are they equally impressive, or were they hiding them from you?
Read a school newspaper and look at a bulletin board. Often in these places you can feel the pulse of the student body. Are current events and politics the center of the conversation or are they more focused on local events or social opportunities. How does/doesn’t this align with your priorities and interests. If the campus seems highly political, is it liberal-leaning or conservative?
If possible, sit in on a class.
Eat in a commons. Decent cafeteria food is really something worth considering.
Explore the surrounding area. Is it a town that is centered around the college community? Does it offer useful places to shop (the City Target by my daughter’s school was a life-saver!)? Fun places to go and things to do? This is especially important if you will not have a car at school.
Talk to students: Most will be happy to answer a quick question. Find out from them what they like about the school and something, maybe, that they would like to change about the school. They are also the best source for determining the degree of pressure that the academics place on them, and if there is a sense of competition or if students work together in a collaborative fashion. Ask them about the social life and how they made friends when they first got there. Ask them if the professors are approachable or too intimidating. Find out if they are happy.
What do you do after you go?
After you go, write a thank you to the organizers or presenters of your tour. It’s polite and it gives them a great first impression of you!