Road to College - College Visits

Many students/families are getting ready for their first college visits. Visiting colleges is one of the most important things you can do, next to academics, as you begin to think about colleges.

Why we think college visits are that important? Two reasons:

• Virtual tours are no substitute for a personal visit. It helps evolve and bring clarity to your thought process on what kind of college(s) fits your goals, personality and objectives
• Establishes a personal line of communication with the admissions office, school and maybe even the faculty

How to do it?

Formal college visits should be part of your family itinerary starting as early as rising junior year. During summer why not plan your weekend getaways around college campuses you can visit? Although, the ideal way to do it is when the college is in session and you can see the campus in action.

• A good starting point is visiting local colleges even if you are not planning to apply to them. We are quite fortunate that we live in a place home to so many different colleges. A day trip alone will expose you to all different types of schools - private, public; big, small; urban, rural. This will help you figure out what kind of college(s) you relate with best.
• Always let the admissions office know you are there. If possible take guided tours. This is a good way to not only build a rapport with them but also to let them know your interest in their college.
• Spend a weeknight in a residence hall; eat at least two meals in the dining hall and go to two classes in different disciplines including an introductory first year class. This to me is one of the most important things you can do especially when you are narrowing down your college choices. Being part of the environment will tell you whether this is for you or not. I have had students in the last admission cycle who went in to their top choice college, stayed overnight and came back saying “this was not for them.”
• Talk with professors from the academic departments that interest you as well as the appropriate pre-professional adviser for those programs. Do you see a home for yourself in those environments?  
• Create a spreadsheet or keep a journal where you can track details about your visits. Believe me after a few college visit, you will begin to lose track of your visits.

Come back-to-school time, there will be a slew of college fairs in schools and local colleges all around the area. Take that bus tour to visit these fairs and make sure you create a list of questions to ask as you speak with the representatives.

At Chyten, we coach students in applying to colleges. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with me.