So you plan to visit a few colleges this fall. After checking each college website and finding the tour times, you now need to make your plans to include more than the “sales pitch”. The typical college campus tour includes an informational session that tells you about popular majors, tuition and financial aid, the admission process, and sometimes the current freshman profile. Then the tour offers you a quick sweep around the campus to see the dorms, student union, dining hall, sports arena, and perhaps the newest and most prestigious building on campus. You will see what the college wants you to see, its chief selling points. Hopefully you will have an enthusiastic and personable tour guide, who will take time to answer questions and share some insider information from his perspective. Often these campus ambassadors are students who are involved in many activities across campus, getting excellent grades to keep their scholarships current, and often do not represent your average student on the campus. Ask questions on the tour, or if you are too shy, ask your parent to ask the questions. Be sure you listen to the answer! Usually, after the tour, you will be able to meet with an admissions representative who may ask you questions about your interests and why you are considering this college. This is also a good time to have a few of your own questions to show that you have a genuine interest in exploring this college.
Try to visit mid-week, when students are in classes, rather than a Friday, when many students are leaving early for the weekend. If possible, visit colleges before you apply, because it will give you a better idea about whether you even want to apply. Sometimes a general feeling about the campus, or your guide’s talk will influence your decision to apply. However, try not to judge the campus totally on the tour guide, the admissions meeting, or the total “sales pitch”. Whether your initial impression is good or bad, you need to do more exploring of the campus.
So how do you find out more about the campus beyond the “dog and pony show”? First, you need to make sure that you allot more than the two hours for the college information session and campus tour. When you make the call to the college to set up a visit, you should also set up a time to visit at least one class, but preferably two classes. One class should be a typical introductory freshman class, because these are usually the larger classes on campus, and the type that a new student will take several of. The other class should be one in the desired major, or if you have no idea what you want to major in, then pick a topic of interest. You could check out the catalog and find a course of interest or if you know someone who attends that school, ask for a suggestion.
Next, make sure you have a chance to walk around campus on your own, with your parents who probably brought you. If you have an idea about a major, go to the building that houses most of the courses, labs, and lecture halls. Look at the bulletin boards for research projects, travel opportunities, lectures on interesting topics, and community service events. Eat in the dining hall. Do the students look happy? Do they sit in segregated or integrated groups? What is the variety of food? How was your meal? What else goes on in the dining hall, besides the daily meals? Look around campus, at the bulletin boards and posters for weekend events, special lectures, performances, clubs and sports activities. Stop to talk to students on campus; most students are happy to tell you about their experiences at the college. Pick up a campus newspaper to read later on. If you are staying overnight in town, be sure to check out some of the college nightlife.
Here’s another tip! Bring your camera and take photos. This will spark your memory about the campus and what you liked. And take notes! Let your parents be your note-taker, so you can pay attention to the tour and be observant of the campus. Ask them to write down things that sparked your attention. They can write their own thoughts down and you can compare notes later. Or if none of you can tour and take notes at the same time, do a joint “brain dump” when you get back to the car. You don’t want to forget certain things or find that one college visit blends into another.
If you are a student with an IEP or 504 Plan, you should allow time to visit Disability Support Services (DSS). If this is your first time visiting the campus, you don’t have to disclose your name, but you should go in to see the facilities, meet some of the staff, and ask a few questions. If you made an appointment ahead of time to speak with a DSS representative, perhaps you can speak a little about your situation and the supports that are helping you to succeed in high school. You should also make note of where the DSS office is located on campus, to see if it is accessible to classes, the dorms, or the center of student life. It’s accessibility on campus may determine how likely you are to use the facilities.
Once you have narrowed your college choices, you should stay overnight at as many campuses as possible. If you know a current student there, try to spend one day and night or a weekend with her. This will allow you to see what the dorms are really like, taste the food in the dining hall, experience what social activities are available and well attended, and see when and where students are congregating and studying. If you don’t know anyone at a particular college, the admissions office will usually be able to arrange an overnight with a host student, who can show you around, introduce you to her friends, and answer some of your burning questions, that weren’t addressed on the tour. If you are serious about a particular college, arrange to meet with a professor in your field of interest. Ask questions about research opportunities or internships. If you are considering participating in a sport, arrange another visit with the coach.
If you need help in organizing your college visits, need a list of questions to ask DSS, or a checklist for campus tours, or just want more information on how to proceed with the college search, contact Ruth Brodsky at www.ruthbrodskyconsulting.com. Ruth has helped numerous students navigate this important and exciting adventure.
