<p>Pretty much what the title says. What did you "forget" to bring (didn't think you needed or overlooked) when you went to visit and interview colleges?</p>
<p>Later this month I have my first three interviews, all out-of-state. I am eager to hear what things you ended up needing when you visited and stayed at the campuses and when you interviewed. I try to travel light, but I don't want to miss anything that other students who have been there really ended up needing. Even if you didn't forget it/ didn't have it, what were your most important tools?</p>
<p>For example, did you really wish you had a pad of paper that you carried with you to jot notes down? Did you regret the fancy shoes you wore? Did you not have information you needed with you?</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>My d took a pad to jot notes on as the schools all tend to melt together after you're home- she'd write down something that would jog her memory of that school ( a tour guide that looked like so and so, a wierd statue, a funny requirement at that school..) and a camera. She'd snap photos of all of the schools too. She had her resume as well. We brought the Yale guide as it was small enough and had lots of good info in it.We picked up any newspaper or publications the school produced, as well as the course catalogs. On the other hand, I took my son this winter and he didn't write anything down, didn't want his camera and wouldn't look at any info from the school that we got that day or the Yale guide. He was just fine too. Go with what seems appropriate for you</p>
<p>I really didn't bother to take anything with me visiting schools. I figured all the concrete stuff was written down at home, so I was there to get a "feel" of the campus.</p>
<p>(note: the only 2 schools I went and visited, I did not end up applying to)</p>
<p>Like what fourkidsmom said, some will need a notepad and/or camera to keep things straight. I've been told I have a photographic memory because I can remember anything that I see and obscure facts or things that most people don't think about or remember, so I didn't take a notepad. I went to three schools--Purdue, UNC-CH, and Oklahoma State (all OOS for me) in a week and can still tell you which school had what tradition, which dorm we toured (or didnt, at UNC), what the weather was like, where we ate for dinner the night before the tour, things like that. For other people a camera or notepad is necessary.</p>
<p>And comfortable walking shoes. It doesn't hurt to bring an umbrella either. At UNC I had to buy one from a store on Franklin St the morning of the tour.</p>
<p>I completely forgot about needing to pack an umbrella. Thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone. :)</p>