If you and your parents have time over the vacation, then summer campus visits, while not quite the same as visiting during the academic year, are still worth the trip. Though most students aren’t on campus, you can still get a school’s “flavor” during the summer by taking a campus tour. In the fall, I highly recommend, that you visit the schools on your “short” list (your favorite top schools), in the fall to go on interviews, sit in on classes, and see what the campus is like when school is in full swing. If time, distance, and your budget limit the number of schools you can visit, you can still narrow down your list based on your summer research and interests, and then plan a visit to your number one choice in the fall. Here are some suggestions for how to prepare for campus visits:
- Do your homework. Use the Internet and/or college handbooks (available in libraries and high-school guidance offices) to gather information about the school ahead of time. You should know the following basic information:
If you’re serious about a school, you should go on an interview even if it’s not required. You want an admissions officer to have a picture to go along with the name on your application, and you want to find out as much as you can about a potential future “home.” Before arriving on campus, you should set up interviews with:
Should you bring your parents? For the initial college visits, it’s a good idea to bring at least one parent with you - if possible. Since most parents will be paying at least part of the bill, they usually expect to have a little “say” about where their money is going. While you might not want your parents “tagging along,” colleges expect and encourage parents to attend initial visits. Parents also have a way of asking questions some kids may be too shy or uncomfortable to ask. While I recommend that parents visit a school with prospective students during the summer, ultimately you’ll need to decide where to spend the next four – or more – years of your life. Make every effort to demonstrate to yourself and your parents that you are mature enough to make the right decision. When you come back from your visit, make sure you:
