<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My son is contemplating a potential ED application (see post below). We have a visit planned in Sep, it's a long way from NY, so this will probably be his only visit. He has an info session, tour and interview scheduled but I'm looking for tips on what other activities he should plan. For example, not sure if they'll allow him to attend a class, but that seems like a good idea.</p>
<p>tia,</p>
<p>He is definitely welcome to visit classes, eat in a dining hall, and stay in a dorm if he’ll be here overnight. I would encourage all those things, in order to take advantage of the opportunity to interact with students. See <a href=“http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/campus-visits/index.dot”>http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/campus-visits/index.dot</a> .</p>
<p>Obviously a lot will depend on how long you are staying but here are some of my thoughts on a visit to Oberlin:</p>
<p>I suggest just trying to talk to as many students as you can. He will definitely be allowed to sit in on a class. So for that I recommend getting there about 10 minutes early and finding some students to sit by and ask them if they like this class, how it compares to their other courses, and whatever he can think of! Go to the cafeteria (I recommend Stevie over Dascomb, but that’s just a personal preference) and sit at a table with some random students who look friendly and talk to them. Or try a co-op if he’s interested in that. Most people will be very welcome and open to talk about their experiences, especially since Sept is a comparably low-stress month on campus. </p>
<p>Overnights are great as dave72 suggested and he will get a host who he can talk to and see some normal evening activities (go to club meetings, excos, shows, etc). I’m not sure if dorms are included in the official tour, but if you want to see one and it’s not just ask your tour guide/people you meet/post on CC and I’m sure someone will let you see their room.</p>
<p>You could contact professors if he is really interested in a certain area to see if any would be available to meet him. I’m sure most would be happy to discuss their department with a prospective student. Also, you could try to contact any clubs he is interested in and maybe meet some of the members or attend a meeting. Check out the online calendar as well as bulletin boards around campus to see if there are any events you want to go to, which can also be a good way to find some people with similar interests to talk to. Downtown (which might be included in the official tour, I’m not sure) also has a lot of cool places so I would try to walk down there just so you can see what is close and available. </p>
<p>Overall, I would just try to figure out any last questions he has about Oberlin. He obviously likes Oberlin a lot to be considering ED, but does he have any concerns or big questions? Anything that could keep him from applying (ex: He has a dietary restriction and he needs to see how Oberlin can accommodate that). Those are the things I would focus on. Just enjoy your time there, talk to as many people you can, and get those big questions answered! </p>
<p>Great suggestions above – want to add. as a parent whose student applied a few years ago, my son emailed a professor and got permission to sit in on a class. Well, he missed the class because of mixup with his overnight hosts (how to lock room and stuff) but stopped by after class to leave a note thanking the prof. Prof was in his office and took him on a 45 minute tour of the department, and talked about career options etc. I was bowled over by prof’s generosity. </p>