My D is a junior and we are struggling with finding TIME to visit schools (ECs, class, work, etc.). I know colleges aren’t in session during this time, but looking for opinions on whether it is worth visiting campuses during the week between christmas and new years…? We all happen to have the week off.
Basically you will see buildings. The Admissions offices will likely be closed as well. I would work hard to try to get a week in the spring to do visits when school is in session.
You probably can’t even get a tour then. We went over spring break (ideally to schools not on spring break), added a day or two to long weekends from school for a couple trips, wove some into summer vacation plans – not the best, but at least there were tours and info sessions.
Even the summer would be a better time to visit than over winter break. You might run into students who are doing summer research, taking classes over the summer, living on campus…Winter break? Everyone - including admissions - is gone. No info session. No tour. No interview. And if you get crummy weather to boot, it’s not going to be a positive experience.
Ditto N’s Mom. We thought that Xmas week vacation jr year would be great. NOTHING is open. Sadly.
Update! For those of you seeking sunny south Florida we got not one but TWO postcards that you can visit Nova Southeastern University on December 28, 29, or 30! With a nice picture of the beach! know nothing about the school but it looks like it would be enticing for a northerner.
I would not make a special trip to visit any college over xmas break. If you had other reasons to be in the area, sure, pop by to at least get a sense of the campus, but save your energy for just about ANY other time of year.
Ack, no. We swung by my alma mater campus after a Christmas visit with family. It was dead and depressing. Weather wasn’t nice that day either. That’s the impression that took hold.
Now it’s a tough sell, despite having been granted admission to their highly ranked Honors College, and it will take 2 airfares and multiple travel days to visit again.
I work at a university and we are closed the week between Christmas and New Year. All staff and faculty are off, garages are shut, buildings are locked. I would squeeze in visits over Spring Break to schools not on break; even quick weekend visits are better, and try for Friday or Monday visits (to minimize school/work absences)
Same here. If it’s not far, of course you can look at the buildings and get an idea of the local community. But the only advantage to this time of year is that parking is easier.
I agree with the others for all the reasons stated. However if you decide to do it anyway then check their website for a self-guided tour. Better than nothing.
I would use the time to make a matrix of possible places you would like to visit that match your daughters interests. You will need to sign up (sometimes months early) with the admissions office and possibly make appointments to sit in on classes, visit the honors colleges, attend a class, and also friend a few students at the colleges etc. You can then make efficient trips over some weekends, school holidays etc. Best time to visit (we found) was during winter or spring break in HS that did not correspond with college breaks.
I wouldn’t visit a school during winter break.
I visited Fordham in August, and there was tons of students around. I could’ve forgotten school wasn’t in session. Summer visits are definitely better than visits over break.
During winter break, the campus will look like a ghost town. Most buildings will be locked, so you’ll be looking at the outsides of buildings. You won’t be able to meet students, see classes, or try the campus food. There doesn’t seem like much of a point, in my opinion.