Making Your College Visit Count

It’s spring semester Junior year, and you’re probably starting to think about the college application process. Though it may seem pretty far away, now is a great time to start doing research on prospective schools. You can fire up your laptop and Google away, but one crucial part of deciding whether a college is right for you involves planning a visit. Experiencing campus life in person will help you quickly cut out schools that don’t feel right and prioritize ones that captivate you. Keep reading to learn more about making the most of your campus visit.  

What to Do

Go on a campus tour! You’ll get a rundown of the facilities—where you’ll be having class, living, and hanging out. You’ll also learn about the history of the college, its mission, and major points of pride.

Stay overnight! While an hour or two might give you a basic sense of what a campus is like, staying overnight will give you a broader sense of the student experience. You’ll get to stay in a dorm, interact with students, and experience the school’s atmosphere after hours.

Set up meetings! Contact the admissions office and schedule a meeting with one of the representatives. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and show your interest in the school—a little facetime has the potential to make an impression. Bonus points: if you’re interested in a specific major, you might even want to meet with a professor or two in that department.  

Questions to Ask Students

Current students are going to be one of your most helpful resources. You will be in their shoes next year, and they can help you gauge what your experience will be like.

Ask about academics: What are the classes like? Are professors more invested in their students or in their research? What majors are popular and get the most funding?  

Ask about extracurriculars: Are there clubs/groups that serve your interests? What study abroad options exist? Are there career counseling services? Does the school offer internship programs?  

Ask about their personal experiences of student life: Is the environment supportive and/or competitive? What is the situation with partying/Greek life? What is it like to live as a student in this city? Do people often leave campus or stay put?   

The Takeaways

Remember: keep your priorities in order. Before going on a trip, make sure you take some time to figure out what really matters to you as part of a college experience. It’s not all about rankings—location, environment, and atmosphere are all crucial factors. Be open, but be prepared and critical. Overall, investigating colleges now will prevent you from ending up somewhere that’s a bad fit.  

Here at InTuition, we offer a comprehensive college counseling program. Our experts will not only make sure you are prepared for your visit but will also keep you on track during the entire admissions journey. For more information on how we can help you succeed, contact us today!