<p>So, if you can't visit all the colleges you were accepted at, what ways will you (or did you) go about gathering all the information you need to make your decision as to which college will be the ideal choice when you have not visited all of them?</p>
<p>I'd love to get suggestions on the best ways you think you can remotely gather information that will lead to a wise choice as to the best "fit" college -- and, in particular, how to do so for Carleton. Living abroad, he has never visited the campus. He met with an admission officer and, between all that he read in guide books he was sold that it needed to be on his final list of colleges to apply to. He didn't just throw his application in to see what would happen...but, in the end, he never visited and I don't think that should be the way to cross a school off the list at this point. What suggestions do you have for him to make up for having not visited, so that he could choose (or not choose) Carleton with some degree of confidence?</p>
<p>(I think this is different from asking how to choose as between Carleton and B, C and Y Colleges; it's simply asking for tips on how best to get to know Carleton so S can intelligently make that highly personal decision in an informed way.)</p>
<p>YouTube videos are one way to go beyond the “on paper” persona of a school! One video might not be accurate, but if there are a bunch of them, it can give you a feel for the school. (Not sure if there are Carleton vids, but may be worth a try.)</p>
<p>We are also overseas and have the videos (both on the website and youtube) to be excellent. They seem to give a consistent vibe. Also, the student blogs on the website are incredible to read through–really gives you a sense of the kind of kids that are there. The class of 2015 official facebook group would give your son a chance to interact and chat with current and prospective students–he can also get a feel for Carleton that way. Good luck–we have 3 good schools to choose from (Midd, Bowdoin and Carleton). All good schools academically so it really does come down to getting to know the schools and figuring out which one feels right.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Carleton pretty much puts it out there for all to see. What the school claims to be, what you see on it’s site, and, pretty much what you read in guide books tells it like it is. You’re in for no surprises even if never visiting.
Midd and especially Bowdoin I believe are more complicated, especially when trying to profile the student body. At both I think a visit would more important to sort out fit.</p>
<p>I definitely second the suggestion to read the blogs and watch the videos on the admissions website. I’d also strongly recommend emailing people associated with any sort of academic or extracurricular interest. Almost anyone here would be happy to tell you about their department, club, sport, etc. Even though I did visit Carleton myself last year, I also exchanged emails with professors in the linguistics department, one of whom also referred me to a senior linguistics major I could ask questions, and coaches/athletes on the cross country team. All the people I emailed were very helpful and enthusiastic about their school - some of the students emailed me back long responses during finals days! That enthusiasm and niceness was definitely a factor in my decision to come here.</p>
<p>Another thing to check out is facebook. There’s an official Carleton organization page, but also many class pages. Check out the Class of 2015 group called “Carleton College Class of 2015 (Official)” (to separate it from one set up by a roomate matching company?!?!)</p>
<p>You can ask questions and get a sense for the kids in this cohort. Also to the extent they’re open groups, check the various Carleton alum and club pages.</p>
<p>I second the youtube (there are some good classic Carleton videos) and other suggestions.</p>
<p>Just as a data point, my daughter chose Carleton (she is a current sophomore) having never set foot on the Site. She also did not go to admitted student days. Her first visit to campus was moving in day. (Her dad did not allow her to visit any colleges, not just Carleton.) However, she never wavered in her love for Carleton. She was obsessed with their website (I think she even wrote one of her essays on it) and researched all she could on the Internet about Carleton. Others are right when they say Carleton is a little more open and forthcoming with information than some other LACs. The student blogs and video blogs on their website are also informative (and not influenced by the college/marketing as far as I can tell). She felt right at home immediately at Carleton.</p>
<p>Back in the 1980’s I first saw my college on the day I showed up with all my stuff. This was before the Internet and all I had to go on were a few printed brochures from a handful of colleges, but at the time that seemed like enough to make a decision. Paradoxically, students today are so overwhelmed with information that a campus visit seems more necessary than ever.</p>
<p>For my son, it’s really a matter of leveling the playing field. He’s done overnights at several, standard tour/interviews at several more…and then there are several he just never got to see. And part of the reasoning for not picking those several for visits was because he was sure enough about them that he intended to apply to them. He wanted to visit colleges that were more doubtful or suspect. And I think that was a good way to look at things with a view toward choosing where to apply. The thing is that we’re across the ocean and it’s time to make choices. And now the “problem” is that those colleges he was so sure about are now relative unknowns compared to the ones he visited and liked enough to apply to. I want him to be sure to give them full consideration even though Accepted Student Days are out of the question right now.</p>