So you're visiting colleges over break... Part 1

Spring semester is a perfect time for juniors to start visiting colleges and universities that pique their interest. A first-hand experience of campus life and academics can be a helpful indicator of how well you will mesh with a particular school. Since you may be spending the next 4 years there, it’s definitely worth the trip! For Part 1 of this series, I'll be discussing what students can do before their college visit.

You may ask, “What can I do to prepare for my visit?” As helpful as any college visit can be, you can increase its effectiveness by doing three things beforehand:

• Establish your priorities
• Compile a question list
• Listen to others

Establish your priorities

• Divide a paper into 3 columns and label them “need,” “want,” and “like.” If your sole reason for going to college is to master a foreign language, put that on your “need” list. If a city atmosphere is really important, but not essential, put that in the “want” list. By dividing your interests into these 3 groups, you are ranking your priorities for your ideal college. Creating this list beforehand will help you identify whether or not a college “passes the test” when you visit it.

For example, here is a list I would put together:

• Need:
• Robust foreign language program
• Small teacher to student ratio for my major
• Possibilities for extracurricular activities
• Active career services department
• Want:
• Top-notch dining hall/cafeteria options
• Proximity to lake/ocean or mountains
• Recently renovated dorms/buildings
• Like:
• Medium-size student body (2,000-5,000)
• Singing groups (a capella, choir, etc.)
• Ping-pong tables in student union

When you have created your list, you will be able to see what is absolutely necessary and what you could sacrifice. You’ll know not to choose a college for its ping-pong tables when it meets few of the items higher up on your priority list.

Compile a question list

• Before you visit a school, create a list of questions you want the answers to but may not be able to find easily by reading a viewbook or searching the school's website. Consider the following:
• Can freshmen bring their cars? What is the parking fee per semester?
• What is your favorite meal in the cafeteria? Are freshmen required to enroll in a meal plan with the school?
• What were some recent activities/events held by the student union? What do you do on the weekends?
• Explain the housing system: can I choose my roommate? When were the dorms last renovated? What percentage of students live on campus?
• How are freshmen advisors assigned? Will I have the same advisor all 4 years? What is the ratio of students to advisor?
• When do I have to declare my major? What “core curriculum” classes do all students need to take?
• If you were in my shoes, what would be the 3 most important aspects of your college that you’d want to know more about?

Listen to others

• Schedule some meetings in advance. Since you may not see many students during your visit if you go on a school break (college students have vacation also!), you’ll want to have some other face-to-face encounters besides the admissions officer.
• The college’s website will have the email addresses for professors. Email some for a major you’re interested in and ask to meet with them.
• Also, consider asking your college advisor, your high school teacher, a family friend, or your Applerouth tutor for feedback on their college experience or on your particular school of interest. Even if they didn't attend the college you’re interested in, they most likely have friends who went there.

Spending some time before your visit and doing these three things will greatly enhance college visit experience. It will also help you learn more about yourself and what makes you tick. So put in the work beforehand, and have a great time on your visit! Tomorrow, I'll give some suggestions for what to do during the visit to make it as effective as possible.

We'd also like to hear your thoughts. What have you been doing to prepare for your college visit?