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Whether you've been accepted or are still college shopping, campus visits can be the best way to make a decision about where to achieve higher education. By talking to the right people, asking the right questions, and looking for the right indicators, you can learn more in one day at a campus than you could in a year of reading institutional research and reviews.
So how do you get on campus? First, call the admissions office and ask when you can take a tour. Try to schedule a visit during a regular school day so that you can observe the normal campus bustle and maybe even a class in session. Make appointments to see an admissions officer, a financial aid administrator, a coach (if applicable), and/or a professor. You may even be able to arrange to sit in on an extracurricular activity in which you're interested. Make sure you allot enough time to see and do everything you want. If the visit requires an overnight stay, ask if you can spend the night in a dorm.
Once the arrangements are made, prepare for your visit by perusing the school's web site, course catalogs, and any materials that the college may have sent. As you research each school, write down any questions that you may want to ask. Become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each college as they pertain to your preferences, and evaluate them further when you're on-site. Plan to bring a notebook, a camera, and a map of each campus you visit as well as the surrounding area.
When you're finally on school property, it's easy to get distracted by stately architecture, beautiful landscaping, and the pervasive energy of just about any campus. But it's important to focus on whether a college is right for your educational goals, not to mention your family's budget. Here are a few things to consider doing on a campus visit.
>> Tour the campus—including the dorms, bookstore, and library—with a guide.
>> Speak to an admissions officer and attend an information session.
>> Speak to a financial aid administrator.
>> Observe a class in session.
>> Speak to a professor in your probable major.
>> Speak to a coach or athletic director (if applicable).
>> Read student publications.
>> Eat where the students eat.
>> Interview students to learn what they like and dislike about the school.
>> Explore the campus alone.
One of the most important questions asked on a college visit should be posed to yourself: Can I afford this school? In many cases, the answer is Yes, with student loans from Nellie Mae or your local bank.
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