With spring break only a few weeks away, students may be scheduling college visits for the break. It is unrealistic for someone to visit every college they are interested in but the trips are still a helpful tool to determine what school is the right fit. They allow students to get a feel for the location of the college, the weather, the size and the general atmosphere of the campus. However, the best way to get value out of a college visit is up for debate.
The most traditional activity on a college visit is a tour of the campus. These tours are often led by students at the college and are a great way to hear inside details about the school. You get the opportunity to ask questions, take notes or pictures and get a firsthand look at the campus’s buildings. “I took a guided tour of a campus and they talked a lot about the programs they offer. They also told us about the dorms and some of the school’s history,” senior Elli Shmunis said.
When tours aren’t available, walking around the campus on your own can help you get a feel for the school. This, of course, is not as informative as a guided tour. “I walked around the campus after and it was a good alternative to a tour but I had very little information,” Shmunis said.
For a deeper dive into the offered academics, students should look for additional opportunities during their college visits. Schools may offer the opportunity to meet with an admissions officer or potentially a professor. This is a fantastic way to learn more about a specific major or program at the university.
If a one-on-one meeting is not an option, sitting in on a lecture can be helpful as well. This can help visiting students see the size of a class, style of learning and the content of the course. “I want to sit in on a lecture at two different colleges so I am able to compare and contrast,” junior Miles Sklar said.
One of the most popular activities on college visits is meeting with a student at the school. Visiting a friend allows you to get a more intimate view of the school and what it has to offer. “I like visiting friends because it gives you a real student perspective. It feels better because they aren’t trying to sell the school to you like on a tour,” Shmunis said.
Visiting a student can also give you a wider perspective on the college. Beyond academics, these schools can offer a lot of diverse opportunities and fun events. “Visiting friends gives me a sense of the community and nightlife that you don’t get on a tour,” junior Shayan Kurup said.
Overall, the consensus was that guided tours are jam-packed with good information about the school. However, meeting up with a student can give you a broader understanding of what the school, community and surrounding area has to offer. “I would recommend meeting someone if you can but the tour is a good alternative otherwise,” Shmunis said.
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