ow that you have requested information - via email, phone, or mail - and received all kinds of materials that describe the colleges, do you find yourself confused?

Your Campus Visit

How to get the most out of your campus visit

Now that you have requested information - via email, phone, or mail - and received all kinds of materials that describe the colleges, do you find yourself confused? Do you wonder if every school has the same beautiful, ivy-covered buildings and the same radically diverse and happy group of students? Does that professor, the one who looks so expressive as he talks with students, really interact well in the classroom? And why are those students smiling? Are they really happy with their college, or are they just posing for the picture? When everything looks the same and reads the same (they're all excellent!) the best way to find the real scoop is to visit campus.

1. Plan your visit in advance. At some point, you should try to visit the campus when school is in session. You can get a better idea of what a college is like if you visit when students and faculty are present. You may want to schedule your visit around a special event, such as a lecture, concert or game. But regardless of when you visit, you should try to:
   

1. talk to an admission officer and/or have an admission interview

2. take a tour of the campus

3. attend classes

4. meet with a professor in an academic area that interests you

5. eat in a dining hall

6. talk to a coach or club adviser

7. stay overnight in a campus living unit if you have time and it's possible

 

You should try to spend as much time as you can on campus, at least half a day to get more than a cursory impression.


2. Contact the school at least one to two weeks in advance. (The most selective colleges may require more lead time for an interview with an admission officer.) The college's admission office can arrange for you to talk to an admission officer and take a campus tour. Many admission offices also are willing to set up housing, classes or other appointments you have planned. Some make overnight arrangements with their students.
   
   
3. Read the college's publications and brochures. Many are available online. In other words, come prepared!
   
   
4. Prepare a list of questions and take notes! This may sound like a lot of work, but remember - you are visiting to find out as much as you can about the school. You may have general questions as well as questions that are specific to the school. A good list also insures that you will ask similar questions on each of your college visits. This allows for better comparison later in the process.
   
   
5. If possible, bring your high school transcript and know your PSAT, SAT or ACT scores. There may be other things you wish to bring with you, such as a portfolio or an instrument for auditions.
   
   
6. Bring your parents. Parents often have questions of their own and may want to visit with you. Remember, they care about you and have an interest in what you do.

 

The visit

Be on Time. If you will be late or have to postpone your visit, you should call the college as a courtesy.

Talk with as many people as you can. Meeting a variety of people will give you a more complete picture of what college is really like. (This is why sitting in on classes and perhaps staying overnight is highly recommended.)

Try to include some free time in your schedule. Use this time to wander around and talk informally with students.

 

The Admission Office Interview

1. Again, be on time - create a good first impression.
   
   
2. Come prepared. Ask questions that demonstrate you have researched the school. In other words, your interview is not the place to ask "Do you have an English major?" A prepared question might be "Is it possible to pursue my interest in creative writing through your English major?"
   
   
3. Relax and be yourself. Let the admission officer get to know you for who you really are. After all, you wouldn't want them to accept you any other way, would you!?
   
   
4. It's your interview too. You don't want to dominate the interview with questions, but remember that you are there to interview the college as well as have them interview you. A good admission officer will understand and appreciate that fact.
   
   
5. Keep some of your priority questions in mind. Don't ask every conceivable question, but if there are a few very important ones, be sure to ask them.
   
   
6. It's all right to ask about your likelihood of admission. Hopefully, you have a copy of your high school transcript with you, but even if you don't, give the admission officer an accurate profile of your high school record and test scores. In turn, most admission officers will be able to give you some idea of your chances of being admitted ... but don't expect a definite answer. Usually, that can only come later when the college has more complete information about you and how you fit into the overall applicant pool in that particular year.
   
   
7. If there are important things about you or your background and achievements the admission committee needs to know, be sure to mention them. Don't be bashful. The purpose of the interview from the admission officer's point of view is to get to know you as much as possible. Again, just relax and be yourself ... and good luck!

 

After the Visit

1. On your way home, while your thoughts are still fresh, jot down some of your impressions of the college. Save these notes for future reference. Discuss your impressions with your parents and get their thoughts as well.
   
   
2. If questions come up after the visit, don't hesitate to contact the people you have met to ask for clarification.
   
   
3. Send thank-you notes to those with whom you had appointments.