<p>So I'll be starting my college visits soon and I was wondering what to do on college visits, what to look for, and what questions to ask.</p>
<p>Some suggestions I've picked up loafing around are to go to an information session, to take a tour (duh), to take a class, and to talk to a student there. How do you arrange the last two? </p>
<p>As to what to look for, I know size, how the class is held, architecture, athletic facilities.. anything else?</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>If it is a school that recommends interviews, you can often arrange to do one on campus when you visit. Must be arranged ahead of time, though.</p>
<p>Ask the admissions office about how to arrange a class visit or a meeting with a student (also must be done ahead of time, of course). Sometimes they have a system for taking care of that themselves, but in other cases they tell you to call or e-mail specific departments.</p>
<p>Depending on the school, you may want to ask about the availability of public transportation, and whether restaurants/coffee shops are within walking distance of campus. Also whether or not freshman can bring cars to campus.</p>
<p>Sometimes students care if any of the libraries are open all night. On some campuses they are, but not on all.</p>
<p>Are most classes taught by professors or by teaching assistants?</p>
<p>The only thing I would suggest is besides the tour and the class, make sure you have enough time to explore the campus yourself without a guide. Eat in the cafeteria, go where all the students hang out. See what their doing. We visited a lot of colleges last year and at all the colleges the students really didn't mind you coming up to them and asking a question. All were always very helpful.</p>
<p>Hey thanks for the information. Any others? (A somewhat polite way of saying "bump!" :) )</p>
<p>Another thought. Something that is rarely mentioned on websites but that can be useful to know is whether the school offers any significant scholarships after the freshman year to students who perform extremely well after they have been admitted. Many schools offer small "reward" type awards, but a few will give top performers grants/scholarships after freshman year. That would be something to ask at the information session. On the other hand, you probably don't want to choose a school that you can only afford on the off chance that you earn one of these.</p>
<p>Look at everyone you see and try to talk to some of the students with an eye to deciding if they look like/are people that you think you will feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>As a parent I usually checked out the student newspapers (often online), the various flyers posted around campus (parents are not as easy to shock as you might think), and whether the buildings looked painted and well maintained....also checked out the students but at my age I tried to be very discreet so as not to freak them out!</p>
<p>Here are a couple of recent threads with additional good advice:</p>
<p>Thanks so much! Those threads are really helpful. Is there a way to close this thread?</p>