I write this on a day in which we have 10 families visiting our campus. The 10 families who are visiting today are very well prepared. As a result, they will have a great day on our campus.
A week ago, I wrote about the importance of the campus visit. I also mentioned that most families do not take advantage of their time on campus and as a result, they leave not as informed as they should be. Today I will give some tips that should help you plan and organize your campus visit:
- Schedule your Visit through the Admissions Office: This might seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised by how many families just show up and expect a “tour of campus.” Usually, admissions offices can accommodate those drop-in guests, but when you do not allow the admissions office to plan for your visit, the possibilities are limited on your visit day. When you schedule a visit, be sure to give the admissions office at least a week to plan your visit.
- Ask for the World: Depending on where you are in the process, your visit may be the only opportunity you have to be on campus before you make a final decision. Be specific about the things you want to do. Below are a few recommendations.
- Take campus tour (the one they send you on and your own!): Know this: Most students giving tours are paid representatives of the university. This does not mean you should discount their stories and experiences. It does mean that you should seek out other opportunities to talk to students that are not your tour guide. The cafeteria is a great place to bump into students. Engage them in conversation. Ask them the following question: “Is what you experienced on your campus visit consistent with what you have experienced as a student here?” In other words, you’re asking them if the university delivered on their brand promise.
- Meet with an Admissions Counselor: Admissions counselors are your FREE college consultant. Their job is to equip you with all the information you need to know about their school. This includes, but is not limited to application deadline/fee waivers, scholarship information, athletic information, housing, registration, etc. Use them to get answers. Meeting with them is a great way to allow them to put a face with a name. Know that some schools only allow seniors to meet with their admissions counselor.
- Attend a Class: I am amazed by how many families visit campuses and do not attend a class. Higher education is one of the largest investments a family can make. A huge part of that investment is the education that takes place in the classroom. Attend a class…or three!
- Meet with a faculty member: If you know the major you wish to pursue, request a meeting with a professor in that program. Some families tell me they find this almost impossible when they speak with those in admissions offices. My reply is always this: “If you can’t get a meeting with a faculty member when you are a prospective student, do you think that will change once you start attending there?
- Stay a night in a residence hall: This is probably the most overlooked part of a campus visit. Most families do not believe this is important. However, it is crucial for students to get a good idea on the culture of the campus. The best way to do that is to stay a night in the residence halls. When you bypass this part of a campus visit, you miss out on seeing “real life.” You also miss getting the opportunity to review a big part of your investment…where you will LIVE for the next four years. Stay a night in the residence halls. You might not do this during your visits in your junior year, but as you whittle down your choices to your top 2-3 schools, make it a point to stay a night on campus.
I will cover more tips in The Campus Visit, Part II next week. Stay tuned…