Planning college visits might seem easy. But, to maximize your time and ensure that you (or your child) are choosing the RIGHT college involves a lot more than going to the college’s website, picking a date and time, and going on the standard campus tour. You are about to make a huge investment to the tune of more than $100,000 and four years of your life by the time that bachelor’s degree is complete. This decision is a big one and, thus, college visits should be taken seriously and be well-planned! Here are tips for planning successful college visits.
1. List the schools of greatest interest and reach out to the admissions team.
Do your research and determine the schools that are the best options for your major and your personal needs/preferences. (Side note: be sure to include technical schools and community colleges in addition to four-year colleges and universities. They often offer affordable, student-centered options that provide solid foundations for students!) Once you identify the schools that you believe will be great options for you, reach out to the admissions team and identify the options they offer for college visits.
2. Schedule visits at least one month in advance, during ideal months, and make them full-day college visits.
This tip is very important and includes three parts! First, you need to schedule your college visits at least one month in advance. Why? Because you are going to make some special requests (more to come on this!) and the admissions team will need time to make those accommodations for you.
Second, avoid the months of August, December, January, and May if at all possible. Departments are swamped with student requests during these months and will have little time to accommodate your needs, requests, and questions.
For the best results, visit during the months of September, October, November or February, March, April while the semester is in full swing but faculty and staff are not overloaded with the stresses and demands of beginning or ending a semester. It will be a win-win for everyone!
Third, plan to be on-campus a full-day. Because of the special requests you are going to make, it is important that you plan to arrive early and be there all day. Many admissions departments offer morning or afternoon visits. Take the morning time to allow time for additional meetings and information in the afternoon.
3. Request to visit the department of your declared major.
This step is very important and one that many parents and students skip when requesting college visits. Your request to meet with the department (or departments) that you or your child is considering is crucial. Again, you are about to invest a lot of time and money in education. It is important to have as much perspective as possible to make an informed decision.
When making special requests, it is important to allow plenty of time for the college to arrange the meeting (by scheduling it at least one month in advance) and visit colleges at a time in the semester where the department can accommodate the request (which is why August, December, January, and May are less than ideal due to the large number of student requests).
When you meet with the department, you’ll want to ask the right questions to get the best idea of what that program/college will have to offer you as the student.
I have prepared a list of 10 Questions to Ask During Your College Visits that will ensure you get as much information as possible to make an informed decision about a college and program. Ideally, your college visits will include the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a professor in the program. Say you visit in the summer and a professor is unavailable, an academic advisor within the department can also be helpful. These professionals often work year-round and are available to answer questions, talk you through the degree plan and the courses you will take, etc.
4. Talk with current students in your area of study.
The students who work for admissions provide great tours during college visits! They are full of good information; however, they will rarely be the same major as you and, quite frankly, they are well trained to sell the college to visitors. Meeting with a current student in your program of study will provide a more candid perspective of what daily life is like as a student in that program.
Some colleges will even arrange for you to sit in on a class within your major during your visit. This is a GREAT opportunity to meet an instructor and visit with current students before and after class.
5. Inquire about meeting with any special programs that are of interest to you during your college visits.
Studies show that students are more successful when they are well-connected on campus. There are numerous special programs, clubs, and organizations to get acquainted with.
If you know for certain that you are interested in one of these opportunities, inquire about meeting with them at the end of your visit. For example, say you are a veteran or the child of a veteran who will be utilizing GI Bill benefits. I strongly encourage you to schedule a visit with the Veterans Affairs office while you are on campus. This will allow you to get acquainted on a first-name basis and help you get support as you apply to their school and set-up your classes, financial aid payments, etc.
What if college visits are not feasible for you due to financial or geographic constraints?
While experiencing campus first-hand and seeing the town and community is ideal, sometimes it isn’t always practical. I met with a community college student recently who was preparing to transfer. She is considering three different schools and is very torn about which one is best for her. My first question was, “Have you visited these three schools?” She had visited one of the three; however, the other two seemed out of reach because they were several states away and would require hefty travel expenses.
If you are up against this struggle, do not give up on college visits! Most college admission teams offer virtual visits that will provide you with the opportunity to speak with an academic advisor and ask the questions I have outlined in my guide 10 Questions to Ask During your College Visit!
Choosing the right college is important for your happiness, your success, and your future career! Don’t take college visits lightly and remember, you are making a big investment. You should ask as many questions as you need to feel confident you are making the best decision for yourself and your future!
How can I help?
As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.