Why should I go to school here?
aka, what to do/ask when visiting a college
You're visiting your cousins over Thanksgiving (or Winter Break, or Spring Break, etc) and there's a college nearby that you think you should visit. Visiting a college can be a make or break factor in deciding where you want to school: on their website, it looks like a great school, but in reality, it could feel totally different to you. The earlier you visit a college, the better. Wouldn't you like to know that it is a good or not-so-good fit BEFORE you spend the money on an application fee? Below are some things you can do while visiting a campus. Note that some activities, such as meeting with an admission officer, talking with a professor, or staying overnight in a dorm might need to be set up in advance.
Step 1: Gather Information
Find out what you need to do to apply and see if the college's class and major offerings are what you want.
- Take part in a group information session at the admissions office.
- Interview with an admission officer.
- Sit in on a class that interests you. If classes aren't in session, just see what the classrooms are like.
- Meet a professor who teaches a subject that interests you.
- Talk to students about what they think of their classes and professors.
- Get the names of the people you meet and their business cards so you can contact them later if you have questions.
Step 2: Explore the Campus
Get a feel for student life and see if this college is a place where you will do well.
- Take a campus tour.
- Talk to current students about life on campus and the college.
- Check out the freshmen dorms and stay overnight with a student, if possible.
- Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities.
- Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play.
- Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.
Step 3: Questions to ask during your visit
Here are some questions you may want to ask your tour guide or students you meet on campus:
- What are the best reasons to go to this college?
- What's it like to go from high school to college?
- What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?
- What do you love about this college?
- What do you wish you could change about this college?
- Why did you choose this college?
- What is it like living here?