Campus Visits

You’ve heard the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well, a campus visit is worth a thousand brochures. Nothing beats walking around a campus to get a feel for it. Some students report that they could tell if they loved or hated a campus by driving through it. Then there is the true story of the guy who applied to a school because it had a prestigious name. Got accepted. Didn’t visit, and when he arrived to move into the dorms, discovered to his horror it was an all-male school. A visit would have taken care of that problem.

The best time to experience the college environment is during the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year. Although you may have more time to make college visits during your summer off, your observations will be more accurate when you can see the campus in full swing. Open houses are a good idea and provide you with opportunities to talk to students, faculty members, and administrators. Write or call in advance to take student-conducted campus tours. If possible, stay overnight in a dorm to see what living at the college is really like.

Bring your transcript so that you are prepared to interview with admission officers. Take this opportunity to ask questions about financial aid and other services that are available to students. You can get a good snapshot of campus life by reading a copy of the student newspaper. The final goal of the campus visit is to study the school’s personality and decide if it matches yours. Your parents should be involved with the campus visits so that you can share your impressions. Here are some additional campus visit tips:

• Read campus literature prior to the visit.
• Ask for directions, and allow ample travel time.
• Make a list of questions before the visit.
• Dress in neat, clean, casual clothes and shoes.
• Ask to meet one-on-one with a current student.
• Ask to meet personally with a professor in your area of interest.
• Offer a firm handshake.
• Use good posture.
• Listen, and take notes.
• Speak clearly, and maintain eye contact with people you meet.
• Don’t interrupt.
• Be honest, direct, and polite.
• Be aware of factual information so that you can ask questions of comparison and evaluation.
• Be prepared to answer questions about yourself. Practice a mock interview with someone.
• Don’t be shy about explaining your background and why you are interested in the school.
• Ask questions about the background and experiences of the people you meet.
• Convey your interest in getting involved in campus life.
• Be positive and energetic.
• Don’t feel as though you have to talk the whole time or carry the conversation yourself.
• Relax, and enjoy yourself.
• Thank those you meet, and send thank-you notes when appropriate.