What should I do to make the best use of my college visit?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, I’m a rising senior and am visiting WashU and Vanderbilt in the next few days. I am visiting on days that the colleges have specificed as being available to sign up to visit the school, and they already have a schedule for us.
I was wondering what important questions I should ask, or anything else I should do to make sure I use my visit to my advantage.

Thanks!

2

What’s most important to you - the buildings, the professors, the other students?

It certainly helps seeing the school in person and take in the physical environment to see if it speaks to you, but I think the students that are attracted to that school are the most important thing. So I toured schools with my daughters during the school year, during the week days, when school was in session. And on a day that was not a special tour day.

This way you see what it’s really like there on a normal day, when you’ll be there. Ask random students for directions, what they like about the school, where is a good place for dinner, how they like their professors, etc, whatever, just to see if they are friendly or not, social or not, composed or not, and learn something about the school that’s not in the script that you’ll hear from the admissions show. And, have lunch in the cafeteria with all the other students, and see what you’ll really be eating. And see how the other students behave.

Ken

3

@thatmariza get “off script” and wander. Ask random students directions to various locations, then tell them you are checking out the school, if they are still approachable ask them some questions like:

  • what's one thing you wished you knew about the school before you arrived?
  • what's the one thing you'd change about your school?
  • what's the one thing you love most about your school?

Good luck!

4

@psywar How can I like this comment more than once? Perfect advice to follow, @thatmariza !

5

The Vanderbilt preVU day was excellent. We just visited last week. They actually do a good job of overview across the school. Google questions to ask when touring schools and you’ll get a book of them, pick what interests you.

6

@thatmariza - If you know what major you will be pursuing, you should talk to the Department about a tour, and/or meet with a prof if you can. This was of B1G importance in my D’s decision! Good Luck!