Problem Visiting & Deciding

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I recently found out that despite having to apply this fall, I won't be able to visit any colleges. I have taken a course at Cornell. Also I have visited TCNJ and I drive through Rutgers all the time. The way I feel on a campus is really important to me and I am worried I may pick a college that isn't right for me. I loved the campus at Cornell, but I love the atmosphere or downtown New Brunswick.</p>

<p>The other schools I have been looking at were Penn State, Pitt, and Boston University. As well as Temple. I'd love to know the kind of vibe the campus gives off for each.</p>

<p>And the biggest problem is committing on a decision. Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.</p>

2

<p>I applied to 8 schools and had only visited 1 (my safety). </p>

<p>You can always use google earth, videos and pictures. </p>

<p>Also I suggest u use Facebook. A lot of students attending those schools have networks and groups where they post discussions, pictures etc...</p>

3

<p>Can you explain why you can't visit? Personally, I would never commit without looking at the school. My decision became final after visiting the school. Reading about a school and seeing pictures is one thing. To get the impression necessary to make an informed decision, one must actually be present on the campus and interact with the other students.</p>

4

<p>You have to visit before you decide, because only you can truly decide which school is right for you.</p>

5

<p>If you can't visit, you should definitely try to find people who either go there or have been there to talk about atmosphere and etc.</p>

<p>A lot of my friends here at Columbia came without having visited and found themselves immensely disappointed with the small and somewhat scrawny campus.</p>

6

<p>Collegiatechoice.com sells DVDs of the campus tours. They can at least help you "see" a campus.</p>

<p>Also, check to see if the college has a livejournal community. Current students and alumni can answer your questions.</p>

7

<p>Go on Facebook and try to find someone who went to your school and is now at a school you're applying to, even if you did not know him. I did this once and found it useful to hear how the adjustment was from my school to the college.</p>

8

<p>Go to <a href="http://www.studentsreview.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.studentsreview.com&lt;/a> and type in the college and then click on the comments section. Students post their opinions about shools there. Also use <a href="http://www.princetonreview.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.princetonreview.com&lt;/a> and look at what students say about the schools. You will get an overall feel for the schools based on student opinion. </p>

<p>You know you don't have to visit before you apply. You can apply, see where you get in and then visit at that point if you can't visit now.</p>

9

<p>Rutgers is attractive in parts, uneven (ugly buildings from the 60s, the problem of many state universities), but about to embark on a huge rebuilding/landscaping program over the next 4-6 years. I'm a PhD student there and enjoy New Brunswick and the College Ave campus.</p>

10

<p>^^ I have to agree. New Brunswick is becoming gorgeous and once they make college ave complete pedestrian i think the school will seem much more inviting. The only problem is that during the time when the class of '12 is in college, it will be the height of construction. That may not be so pleasant.</p>

11

<p>Exactly 30 years ago I came east 2,000 miles to attend my college, sight unseen. I'd do it again but I don't necessarily recommend it for today's applicants to the freshman class. I did talk to several alumni at the time.</p>

12

<p>Should visits be before application time (to solidify college list) or should the list be determined by pictures, reviews, etc. and just visit after acceptances?</p>

13

<p>idk, but i visited bu and really liked it, id go to the websites, a lot of them have virtual tours.To tell you the truth im not sure if you can get that much of a feel for what the campus is like in a one day visit but u can at least see it and get lots of info. However, if you cant visit for financial or other reasons i dont think its the end of the world.</p>