Fort Worth, Tx + Fort Worth Senior Photography
My first college visit was awful. AWFUL. I didn't plan ahead of time or make any appointments to tour the departments that I wanted to see.
Don't do that.
I drove 3 hours each way for nothing. I totally wasted my time and lost the chance to really learn about a school that could have potentially been the right school for me.
Follow this checklist to plan a successful college visit.
Use Social Media
Research the school using social media. Learn about events and other information from the school's official profiles. Find out where students spend time in the town and what they are saying about the school, course loads, and the town.
Make a List of Questions
Before scheduling your visit, make a list of all the questions you want answered. Lucky you, if you are following this series, you should have already done that! If not, find example questions here: click here to find out what questions you should ask on a college visit.
Research Activities and Orgs
Does the school offer things that interest you? Do you want to participate in Greek life? Rowing? Intramural sports? What interests you? Make sure that you see something that you want to get involved in. You don't want to spend your entire college career in your dorm room with your head stuck on your phone screen.
Get out and live.
Examine a Campus Map & Brochures
Are there any specific places you want to visit? Make note of that and be sure to tell your guide when scheduling your visit. Look through the website, brochures, and other materials the school publishes. What interests you about the college? Make note of these.
Schedule Your Visit
Schedule a tour during your sophomore or junior year. Plan to visit while the school is in session. Campuses can tend to look totally different when students are on campus versus not. Call or email about 3-4 weeks before your planned visit. While scheduling your visit, ask if there is anything you need to know before arriving. Ask if you can
sit in on a class that coincides with your major
sleep over
Schedule Time Alone
Schedule time away from recruiters and tour guides. Get a feel of it on your own. What they want you to see might be different than the atmosphere you experience while on your own. Talk to a lot of students. Ask if they like the college, campus, and atmosphere.
Take Notes
Enjoy your visit, take selfies, and take notes! Don't be afraid to ask questions! By the time you are finished touring several colleges, they will start to blur together. Pay attention to the campus's details. Read the bulletin boards to see current events. Are there coffee shops or coffee carts (if this is important to you).
Keep a record how you felt at the end of each visit. Make a note of how the faculty and staff interacted with you and what you really liked and disliked about each campus. Keeping a few notes will help jog your memory when it comes time to make a decision. You will probably forget the details a few months from your visit.
Sources
xoxo