<p>Tomorrow I'm visiting Columbia and Barnard. NYU on Wednesday.
Any tips for first-time college visits?</p>
<p>Bump. Very lost…neither I or my parents know what to expect.</p>
<p>No one does when they start out. Just try to be observant of everything you see (and not just what they want you to see). Do the students look happy? Can you see yourself fitting in? Maybe have a list in mind of things that are important to you and your parents before you go, so you can ask them formally in the info sessions if they aren’t addressed or informally on the tours.</p>
<p>Havng been on countless college visits with 3 kids, here’s my thoughts, jsut off the top of my head:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Have FUN! i can’t stress this enough. yes, I know you’re all hyped - I would be too - and yes, you do have to keep in mind you are there to learn, but enjoy, while listening, looking, and learning.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t be the person that asks questions that can be answered by 2 minutes of Google - especially not in large groups! To me it shows a lack of interest. BUT - Do be that person that ask’s where’s the best coffeee, or food!</p></li>
<li><p>Try to hang out and watch students interacting. Don’t know you’re schedule, so this might not be an option. BUT, if you are from accross the country, and may notbe able to return visit, really try to make time to hang out.</p></li>
<li><p>Talk to Prof’s or coaches if you have an interest in their sport or fields. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>BTW - Thanks for the thinking points - I’m considering spending some more time on your topic and developing some serious ideas that might help out someone in the future.</p>
<p>Good luck - And have some fun!</p>
<p>Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes, this is not a fashion show!
I have seen so many over dressed parents and kids while on tours with my four kids!</p>
<p>Don’t just be observant - take notes. Otherwise, you won’t know the difference between Columbia and Barnard and NYU next week, let alone next month when you’ve visited 2 more colleges.</p>
<p>Take pictures of everything and make sure you know which college the pictures match with :). This was very helpful for me when I was trying to remember the colleges I visited. </p>
<p>Stay at the front of the tour group, so that you could hear the tour guide. Also, if you stay close, you can easily ask the guide questions!</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>Completely agree on the “take notes” suggestion. Later you may have to write “Why College X” essays, and this really helps! If you have more time to plan/spend on future visits, consider asking admissions ahead of time if you can sit in on a class. You can also usually eat in a cafeteria on campus with students (sometimes the student is free, sometimes you have to pay – parents almost always have to pay). But it is not usually pricey, and you can get a better feeling for the vibe/type of students/etc. And we always like to check out the dessert selection. :)</p>
<p>Every college visit covers different information. You’ll learn different things at each of the schools, and the information won’t allow you to compare the colleges point by point. Write stuff down after each visit, even just short notes to help you recall. Even after only three visits, it’s easy to forget what you saw where.</p>