Visiting colleges early in high school can empower you and your college-bound child with first-hand knowledge about university programs, and can profoundly influence which colleges will be the best-fit schools for them to apply to.
As a seasoned college admissions consultant, I visit over 25 colleges each year. Whenever I set foot on a campus, I take a formal tour and meet with admissions officers. But more importantly, I zero in on student conversations, social interactions, faculty priorities, campus facilities, and of course, how admissions decisions are ultimately made.
If you want to make the most of college tours, check out my top Do’s and Don’ts before you hit the road!
DO’S
- Get Out of the Car
Walking around, taking a tour, and meeting with admission officers is essential for your child to explore his or her connection (or disconnection) with the college. Driving around without getting to know something about the college’s values, personality and student life is not exactly visiting the campus. To set the right tone, encourage them to stay toward the front of the tour, listening to what the tour guide has to say while you hang toward the back. You want your student to take in as much as possible by asking smart questions. Trust their instincts and observe how they take it all in. - Ask Questions!
Students who don’t ask questions on their college tours won’t get answers. Many students don’t want to stand out during an admissions tour or an information session, but not asking important questions while visiting colleges is a serious waste of time and money. Questions like “How many hours do students study each day?” or “Are faculty more interested in teaching students or in conducting research?” are just a few to consider. - Follow up with the Admissions Office After Your Visit
Believe it or not, following up with the admissions office after a visit can have a positive impact on admission decisions. A student’s thoughts and impressions are valuable to admissions officers, and communicating these thoughts demonstrates interest in the school – something that many admissions offices take note of. On my recent visit to Lewis and Clark, the dean of admissions said especially as a small liberal arts college, they track the level of interest demonstrated by prospective students!
DON’TS
- Don’t Limit Visits to Reach Schools
Eager to please their parents, students can become overly invested in reach schools, which means they don’t spend enough time visiting colleges that are good fits for them. Visiting a variety of colleges, even more obscure schools, will either confirm a student’s conviction to not apply or turn them on to new possibilities. - Don’t Skim the Surface
It’s great to take the formal admissions tour and attend the information session, but students should look beyond the tour. They should ask more questions, consider sitting in on a class, talk to a faculty member, or observe conversations in the coffee house. What are the students talking about? Would your child feel comfortable for four years on this campus with these people? - Don’t Forget to Call Colledge for Support
With guidance from Colledge, your family can plan and navigate college visits effectively. Before scheduling college tours, we help students target their best-fit colleges, develop questions for the tours, and offer advice to make the most of their time on each campus. After their tours, we work closely with students on follow-up assignments and additional research. Having someone guide your child through these important college planning moments – helping them focus on colleges early and create goals for visiting and applying to these colleges – can save time, money and heartache.
Before you visit schools, make sure your child has a list of colleges that fit their personality. Schedule a free phone consultation and we’ll give you some tips before you hit the road!
