Why should I visit colleges?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Why should I visit colleges? Is it to get a feel for the college, does it help with the admissions process? What purposes do college visits serve.</p>

2

<p>In my opinion, visiting colleges is a way to decide whether or not to apply, and go. It is good to meet and watch students and professors, see classes, etc</p>

3

<p>Injectmagic, students visit colleges for both of the reasons you describe. Some, but not all, colleges value your level of interest in them, and this can factor in to their decision-making.
If you do decide to visit colleges, here are some recommendations:

  1. Whenever possible, try to visit when the college is in session. It may be easier to schedule this way than you think. Take a look at your high school’s academic calendar and compare it with the calendars of the schools you are interested in seeing. (You can find the colleges’ calendars by googling “XYX University Academic Calendar 2012-2013.”) Often college classes are in session when your high school is not (for example, many colleges have classes on Columbus Day).
  2. Take notes! No one wants to do this, but it can be very helpful - not only for your own use, but for writing those “Why I want to go to XYZ University” supplemental essays. Make note of anything that strikes you at all - something mentioned on the tour, a cool building you noticed, a conversation you had with a current student. It may be easier to do this immediately after the visit than while you are there, but don’t put it off for too long. Write down your impressions while they are fresh in your mind.
  3. Try to expand your experience beyond the tour and info session. Many schools will offer you the opportunity to sit in on a class. If you are a senior, some schools offer overnight stays with current students. My personal recommendation for sitting in on classes is that you skip the list of approved classes and contact a professor in a department of interest to you. You can usually find professors’ email addresses on the school’s website. Check the course schedule to see what classes are offered on the day you plan to visit (again, google is your friend for this), and write a polite and enthusiastic email to the professor asking if you can visit the class. While not every professor is guaranteed to answer such emails, I have never had a student actually be refused when making one of these requests. Visiting classes this way offers both a more authentic experience and an interesting reference for either an interview question or a “Why I want to go to XYZ University” essay. Also, always write the professor a follow-up email to say thank-you for the visit.
  4. Make a connection with the Admissions office if possible. Depending on the type of school, this can make a difference. Raise your hand and ask a question (not something you can easily determine from the school’s website) during the info session. Make sure you ask the question (not your parent). Afterward, walk up to the Admissions officer, introduce yourself, stick out your hand, and say “Thank-you for answering my question.” Explain what specifically was helpful about the response, or why you were interested in the question.</p>

<p>Good luck with your visits and applications!</p>

4

<p>Some schools require an interview. Some schools consider “demonstrated interest” as an admission criteria. If you don’t have the ability to visit, you can usually accomplish both of these in other ways.</p>

<p>When my S started considering schools, he had in mind a specific type of school he thought he’d enjoy - mid-size to large, division I highly ranked sports team… However, after he started visiting schools, he found he didn’t care for the academic experience at those types of schools. Instead he will be attending a small LAC – it’s smaller than his HS. He will still be cheering his favorite Division I sports teams, just from afar.</p>