Making the Most of your Visits to College Campuses

Once you have completed some preliminary research on colleges, you will probably have a good idea of which ones merit further investigation – i.e. a visit. Visiting college campuses is crucial for two reasons:

• You are able to gain a feel for the campus, students, academic departments, and areas that interest you specifically, rather than those that interest the editor of the view book.
• You can demonstrate your interest in the school, and simultaneously apply the homework you have done prior to your visit.

When you’re visiting a school, your goal should be to balance the impressions you have gained from your preliminary research with your own personal instincts. In other words, don’t believe everything that you read or hear, but use the information to guide you towards asking the right questions in the limited time that you have on any given campus. Be tactful, but ask good questions of the right people at each school you visit. That might mean setting up a meeting with someone in the English Department, the Athletic Department, or with the editor of the college’s newspaper. You might be able to set up these meetings by doing research on the college's website and emailing any contacts you find.

When to Plan Your College Visits
The best way to learn about colleges is to visit it when the students are in session. Since you are also enrolled as a student, this is not always possible. Do your best to visit when you can see the students, sit in on a lecture, meet faculty members from the departments in which you are interested, etc. You should certainly check the admissions websites of the colleges on your list to determine their school calendar and to see if or when they offer interviews. If you are not able to visit when students are on campus, it still may be worth it to visit and take a tour and attend an information session.

Maximizing Your College Visits
While it is possible to have a successful college weekend with very little prior planning, the best way to make the most of your visit is to plan ahead. If you ‘re going to visit schools with your parent(s), make sure you sit down to plan a calendar of visits. Your parents most likely want to help you in this process in every way that they can. Ask them for advice about contacting schools, or ask them to help you set up appointments. Of course, it’s best if you do most of the legwork yourself, because you will appreciate the effort that went into your visit and learn more in the long run. Here are a few thoughts to get you going on planning your visit and setting up meetings with the appropriate people:

• Plan to spend at least half a day at the school.
• Look at the admissions website or call the admissions office to arrange an interview if they offer interviews on campus. If they don’t, see if it is possible to schedule an alumni interview in your hometown.
• Incorporate one of the school’s general information sessions into your day.
• Go on a campus tour.
• Remember, let the college know you are there by signing up for tours ahead of time, or signing in at the admissions office. The admissions office wants to know you are visiting.
  
• Try and eat in one of the dining halls. You might need permission or instructions from the admissions office to plan this. Ask the admissions office ahead of time if you plan to eat on campus, as many colleges have private dining halls.
  
• Niche interviews: If you haven't had any luck with your own research, ask the admissions office for the name(s) and phone numbers/email addresses of the athletic coaches, and/or the music/art/drama/dance professors who represent your interests. Contact them to let them know that you are coming and ask whether it might be possible meet with them or someone in their department.
• Academic interviews: Call or email the departments in which you are specifically interested. Remember, this is a time for you to continue your research into the academic departments and establish contact in case you have any questions in the future.
  
• Contact any friends/acquaintances/current students you know at the school and try to meet them for coffee or lunch. These are frequently the best sources for the inside scoop … but remember to maintain your objectivity and form your own opinion.

Etiquette During Your Visit
When you visit a school, remember that you are representing both yourself and your high school. In other words, act naturally but remember that what you do or say may ultimately impact your standing in the admissions office. You will never understand the complexities of each school’s network, so assume that everyone you meet is in some way connected to the admissions process and treat them with due respect. This means dressing appropriately (it doesn't need to be formal) for your visit and conducting yourself in a positive manner: from your initial handshake, to your undivided attention, to your parting thanks and gracious good-bye. Remember, you have requested to spend time with their staff, so make the most of the opportunity.

After Your Visit
It is always a good idea to send a thank you email if you met with anyone individually or had an interview. While this note may wind up in your admissions file, the best reason for doing so reverts to basic rules of courtesy. Especially with the ease of email, a brief note is an effortless way to show your appreciation for someone having spent time with you.

Make Every Piece of Communication Count
Whenever you contact the admissions offices at the schools to which you are applying, assume that your phone call, email, letter, or fax is recorded and added to your file. Make it concise, polished, and something that accurately conveys your character and persona. If you have questions about potentially meaningful addenda to your application, consult your college counselor.

Enough Is Enough!
Remember to keep your correspondence with a college at an appropriate level. Use your judgment or ask your counselor to help you determine what “appropriate” might be, in your case. Do not barrage an admissions office with daily letters, phone calls, or email. Doing so would lead to your name being uttered with dread in the office. Do make sure that your correspondence is meaningful, memorable, and well presented.

Getting Organized
After each visit, you ought to consider recording your impressions in either a journal or on a checklist.

• Write down the names of all the people you meet and anecdotes that will help you remember who they are and what they do.
• What sort of feeling did you get from the school?
• How was the music department?
• Was the campus appealing to you?
• Could you imagine yourself there for four years?
• Keep in mind that your visit gives you a one-snapshot impression; don’t overreact to a poor tour or bad weather.
• Keep copies of your correspondence with every school you are considering. The best way to do this is to start a file on each school as you begin your preliminary research and add to it as the process evolves. You never know when you might need to reference a postcard that you sent to a director of admissions!
• Keep track of everything that you send.

Final tips for campus visits:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Campuses are big.
• Ask in advance if it is possible for you to meet with a financial aid officer, or if there are other opportunities to learn about applying for financial aid.
• Seek out facilities that are of special interest to you but may not be on the tour. You may even find a professor willing to chat with you. Ask for a campus map in the admissions office.
• Read everything – bulletin boards, posters, flyers.
• Talk to students. This may seem like a daunting prospect, but the information and the sense of the school that you will gain are worth it. Strike up conversations in the dorms or common areas. Be ready with a few questions that are important to you.