Whether
you've been accepted to college or are shopping for a college, the campus visit
is your best opportunity to test drive various schools. College is a major
investment of your time and money, so you want a school that’s the right fit for
you. By talking to the right people, asking the right questions, and
experiencing a school’s unique vibe, you can learn more in a one-day visit than
you could in months of studying a college’s promotional materials, web site,
DVDs, and review ratings.
Arrange your
visit in advance.
Contact the admissions office about available touring options and information
sessions for prospective students. Try to schedule a visit during a regular
school day so that you can observe the normal campus bustle. Make appointments
to see an admissions officer, a financial aid administrator, and/or a professor
in your likely major. Interested in specific extracurricular activities? Ask if
you can meet with an involved student, adviser, or coach. Be realistic about
scheduling your time so you can see and do everything you want. If the visit
requires an overnight stay, ask if you can spend the night in a dorm.
Do your
homework.
Get ready for your visit by checking out 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 you want to ask. Become familiar with the strengths and
weaknesses of each college as they pertain to your preferences.
Evaluate
each campus you visit.
Be open to
what each school has to offer. During a visit, it's easy to be dazzled by
stately architecture, an enthusiastic tour leader, and the sheer energy of most
campuses. What matters is whether this college is right for you, your education
goals, and your family's budget. Can you envision yourself spending several
years there? Bring a notebook to record your impressions and questions, a
camera, and a map of each campus you visit as well as the surrounding area.
Here are a few things to consider doing or asking during a campus visit.
·
Take a
guided tour of the campus (dorms, academic facilities, student centers, athletic
and fitness centers, and library).
·
Eat where
the students eat.
·
Speak to an
admissions officer and a financial aid administrator.
·
Observe a
class in session, and speak to a professor in your probable major.
·
Interview
students to learn what they like and dislike about the school.
·
Ask about
the best places for students to study on campus.
·
Is there a
student writing center or tutor program?
·
Ask about
on-campus and local weekend activities.
·
What are the
cultural resources on and off campus?
·
What medical
facilities are available and are they open 24/7?
·
Ask about
the campus security situation and campus crime statistics.
·
Read the
school newspapers, student publications, and bulletin boards.
·
At some time
during your visit, just wander the campus and people watch.
One critical
question to ask yourself on a college visit is: Can I afford this school? In
many cases, the answer is Yes, with student loans from Nellie Mae.
High school students and
parents can download Nellie Mae’s
Steps to Success: A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing and Paying for
College, at
www.nelliemae.com/pdf/steps.pdf.
This popular brochure features an overview of the financial aid process, along
with helpful resources such as an award letter comparison worksheet and a
glossary of financial aid terms.
