<p>Here's my dilemma. I'm a senior in high school right now, and for various reasons, I haven't had the chance to visit any colleges, and I probably won't be able to visit very many before apps are do (maybe like 1 or 2). I really want to know what I'm getting myself into before I apply to these places, especially since I'm doing ED 2 at Vanderbilt. Is there a way to get to know a college, without visiting? How can I get a feel for the atmosphere and community of a college without actually going there? I'm applying to places that are on the other side of the country, so I really need to know. </p>
<p>No. Visiting is really the only way that you can tell about the vibe of the campus, or discern the other intangibles that tell you whether the school is right for you. I have been on several campus visits where schools that I thought I would love – from their websites or from what other people said about them – turned out to be horrific; and I have been on campuses that I was predisposed to dislike where I fell in love with them. And I wouldn’t have made these discoveries without the actual visits.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of ED for Vanderbilt (or anywhere else), visit the campus first before you send in your ED application.</p>
<p>Should you decide not to do ED for any schools, you might be able to get by with waiting to see where you get accepted, and then do a campus visit.</p>
<p>See if the college have blog posts on their sites, I found those helpful when I was applying. It gives you some taste of the life at the college, granted it’s the view of only a few students.</p>
<p>do not ED anywhere without visiting. That could be a recipe for disaster. If you are considering Ed to Vandy then make that a priority school to visit.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would definitely visit a school before applying ED. With respect to the back up schools (if you don’t get accepted ED), I would gather what info I could from websites, blogs, alumni or students in your area. Perhaps call admissions and see if they can put you in touch with a current student near your home town that you could meet with over the holidays. I would cast a fairly wide net and then try to visit as many as possible during the year. At the very least, I would go to admitted students day at your top two choices among your acceptances. Schools are often very different in person than they appear from brochures or websites.</p>
<p>I agree that I would not apply ED anywhere without visiting. Visiting is the best way to see and get a feel for a campus. Both of my kids visited schools that appeared on paper to be great fits only to be turned off by some aspect of the campus visit. Other things you can do include reading some college guide books (ex. Fiske, Insiders Guide, Princeton Review) to try to get a flavor for the school, look for the school newspaper online, look at the school website, talk to anyone you know who might be at the school or a recent alumni, see if it is possible to arrange an interview locally with an alumni, etc. </p>
<p>-Watch various videos from Vanderbilt’s Youtube channel
-Google “reviews Vanderbilt”
-Read the CC threads about the school
-Email admissions representatives with any questions you might have</p>
<p>I’m of the opinion that visiting can be overrated in its importance, but then again, I go to a school where a huge minority of students only considered that school and ended up quite pleased with their decision. </p>
<p>The school’s official website can be a great resource, but will give you information that anyone else out there can find. Videos can be helpful as well, featuring the campus feel, faculty, or student anecdotes. You can also email admissions and ask to be put in touch with a current student or recent grad and talk to them about their experiences and the “inside scoop” on the university. Try to see if you can find someone with a major you are interested in or somebody who was involved in things of interest at that school (sports, clubs, Greek life, etc.)</p>