During high school, and particularly that of your junior year, students can get a sense of what a university or college is like by doing an official school visit over a weekend or spring break. These visits often include informative information sessions and tailored campus tours to showcase many of the resources & experiences available for students at the college. However, we know that flights can be long and scheduling quite the task so, we’re here to offer other ways to assess whether a particular university or college might be a good fit. Below you will find some suggestions for soon-to-be college students to get the most out of their campus visits. Enjoy!
Arrive early so you can explore campus before official events.
While the star of your campus visit will be the official presentation and tour, remember that it’s not all the campus has to offer. Plan a visit accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to explore the grounds before official presentations or tours begin. Have a cup of coffee in the student union, grab a bite to eat in a residential hall (colleges often have guest meal passes to purchase) walk through academic buildings and observe students going to class, or visit a campus art museum or student center. Campuses are vast and complex landscapes that offer so much for potential students to explore, don’t limit yourself to just a presentation or you – explore to your heart’s content!
Speak to current students.
Taking time to talk to current college students is one of the best ways to get a feel for what a college is really like. While each student has an individualized college journey that’s unique to them, getting a sense of how someone else is experiencing life after high school is a tool to help understand how a college might be suited for you should you attend. Often, there are current students working in the admissions office, so that is one area you can seek out students to speak to. Other great spots to find students are the student center, the main quad, and on campus dining (grab a bite to eat while you’re at it!). Some sample questions to ask current students include:
- Why did you choose this university?
- What do you know now about the school that you wish you’d known before?
- If you could change one thing about campus, what would that be?
- What is the campus culture like? Is there a lot of partying, studying, student activism, etc?
- How much interaction do you have with professors/teaching assistants?
- What’s been the biggest part of transitioning to life on campus?
- How well supported do you feel here?
- What are some of your favorite campus traditions and hangouts?
Attend additional sessions beyond the main admissions presentation.
Many students and families don’t realize that beyond the standard admission presentations and tours colleges often offer specialized information sessions or events as well. These can range from specialized academic programs like business or engineering, to competitive honors programs, and even identity related departments as well. By taking advantage of these smaller sessions where you can learn about special programs, you’ll be able to gain a more in depth and holistic understanding of the fit a college could have as your future campus home.
Speak to admissions officers.
While they may seem intimidating,we promise that admission officers are some of the nicest folks you’ll find on campus! They are often alumni, former high school counselors, and passionate representatives of the universities you’re applying to. Admissions officers often give the main presentation during a campus visit, so this is a rare opportunity, aside from a college fair or college visit, where you can gain insight into the admissions process and what admissions officers are looking for in future students. Be thoughtful with your questions and let admissions officers know you did your homework beforehand about the college. Some sample questions include:
- What makes this college unique?
- What kind of student does best here?
- What sort of support can students expect to receive from the university?
- Specific questions about student interests and plans (likelihood of financial aid, the possibility of doing a double major in history and math, etc.)
Do research.
Your campus visit is sure to be a great opportunity to learn more about the college and have fun while on campus but, it’s important to come prepared with some understanding of why this college has caught your attention. In addition to learning things from a visit that can be used later to help decide on whether you’ll apply to a university or not, beginning with at least a surface level understanding of the college better equips you to further gauge whether this campus is a good fit for you. Whether it’s the university’s academic majors and offering, student organizations that sound fun, or campus traditions that get you excited to attend, by having a google doc or note where you keep all the information you’ll learn you are sure to be ready for the application process ahead.
Campus visits provide excellent opportunities to speak to the people who spend their lives on campus, and would-be applicants can learn a great deal about a school by spending time talking with students and staff and exploring beyond a formal tour. The more they can experience on campus, the better prospective students can have when figuring out how well a school fits them.
