With the end of the school year approaching, college is a hot topic. If you're a junior like me, you're probably already sick of being asked where you want to go and what you want to do. Unfortunately, it is important to consider these things leading up to senior year. So, instead of ignoring the college discussion, focus on the fun part: college visits!
Visiting colleges is a very important part of the application process. By visiting schools, you can get a feel of the campus and what college life would be like. Along with allowing you to see the campus, college tours often provide a lot of additional information about programs and student life. Your dream schools may look good on paper, but the campus can play a major role in your happiness and success in college. In order to visit a campus, you will have to set up college tours, which require a few steps.
The first and most important step is to talk to your parents. Discuss college visits and get at least one parent on board. It's important to have a parent with you throughout your visits so that they can stay engaged in your education.
The next step is to narrow down your options. The easiest way to do this is to make a list of schools that you have interest in. Don't be afraid to include "reach" and "safety" schools because these are equally as important to visit! With the schools on your list, consider personal preferences of your college experience. These can include the size or population of the school, the popular programs at a school, the dining and dorm options, the location, and the climate of the area. Most of this information can be found easily online. From here, you should be able to see the pros and cons of each school, which will help you prioritize your visits.
Now that you have narrowed down your options, go to each school's websites to find tour availability. Compare these calendars to your own to determine the best time to visit. You may need some help from your parents to coordinate with their calendars as well. Keep in mind that most schools only offer tours on weekdays. It is very likely that you will have to miss school if visiting during the school year, but most schools offer excused absences for education opportunities. Check with your school's policy and calendar - long weekends can be perfect for college tours! Be sure to keep weather in mind when planning visits. While it's tough to predict weather far in advance, you can always consider the temperature. Visiting during the peak of the summer will require lots of sunscreen, water, and sunglasses. Additionally, be sure to consider the busy tour times. Spring break and summer are the busiest tour seasons, so be sure to book your tours before slots fill up!
While on the college websites, be sure to check the types of tours they have available. Some schools provide multiple options, such as an in-depth tour or a surface level visit. Choose the type of tour based on your interest in the school or your prior knowledge. Also, you can consider an independent tour. If you know a student at a school of interest, don't be afraid to ask them for a short tour. This way, you can have a more flexible time and date.
When scheduling your visits, also consider the locations of your schools. If any are close to each other, you can likely knock out their tours within a day or two. Also, with schools that are farther away, book the necessary hotels and thoroughly plan out your trip.
Lastly, be sure to arrive early and prepared. As previously mentioned, consider the weather and bring necessary items. Tours are mostly outdoors, so bring along sun protection, an umbrella, or a coat depending on the weather. Also, some schools can have very spread out or inclined campuses. Bring a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Lastly, it never hurts to have questions. Research your schools in advance and prepare questions about topics of interest.
Hopefully, visits will be a fun part of your college application process and will be helpful in making final decisions! Good luck on your visits!
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