This weekend my best friend and I are visiting 5 schools that we are both quite interested in. Unfortunately we could only schedule tours at 2 of the schools because the others only offer them on weekdays, which didn’t work with our personal schedules. My question is, how can we make sure that our visits are informative despite not getting a formal tour?
(the schools in question are American, Towson, and UMD)
A lot of schools (at least here) have students starting to move back on campus. Maybe you could go to the student center, etc and ask some kids what they think? Not sure it will help much for academics, but my oldest’s roommate picked his school because he was walking around himself and liked the vibe he heard from other students.
While scheduled tours may not be available, access to faculty or staff may not be. You should call ahead and see if you can meet with someone or perhaps sit in on a class (if any are in session).
I’d suggest that you call admissions before your visit to see if anyone will be there (to give you a map and other materials). Also ask admissions where you can park, if you need a parking pass, and if you can pay cash to eat in the cafeteria. If nobody will be in admissions I’d print out a campus map before going so you have a sense of where you are when you are walking around campus. If possible, I’d try to eat in the cafeteria and talk to students if they are back on campus.
I generally found tours to be worthwhile so if you like the schools on first glance maybe see if the schools have weekend tours in the fall when college is in session.
@Rivet2000 They are going on a weekend so unlikely that professors or classes would be available.
Be sure to let Admissions know, in writing, either before or after your visit, that you were there. “Demonstrated interest.”
Walk around. Visit the library, wander into any open class buildings or dorms (people usually hold open a door so you can get in), eat in the dining hall if it is open or a snack bar if it is not. Ask questions of people you see. Use an online map or one mailed to you by admissions.
We have taken the formal tour at 16 schools so far, but we visited one school- Clark- on a Sunday during freshman orientation last August when no tour was available, and we had every bit as nice an experience there. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Two roommates took my son to see their room. A librarian in the library chatted with him for a while. Our impression was very positive. People tend to love their colleges and want you to love them too, so they will take the time to talk to you.
Sometimes you can hear the unexpected, too, especially if you speak with a student who is walking alone. Touring a different, highly regarded university on my own back many, many years ago, I was alarmed to be told by an AfricanAmerican student that it was not a good place to be a minority, and then by a female student that the frat culture was very intimidating for women. I did not apply!