Nelie McNeal, Founder and Managing Partner
Finally! You’re visiting college campuses. This is your chance to learn a LOT. How do you get the most out of your experience?
First: arrangements.
- Every college has a “visit us” webpage. This is where you’ll sign up for a tour and/or information session. NOTE: spaces fill quickly, particularly at spring break.
- How many campuses should you put on your itinerary? That depends, of course, on distances between schools and the amount of time you have, but we’d recommend a max of two per day.
- Check the weather. You could be outside for an hour or more; if it’s going to be sunny, pack your sunscreen and sunglasses. If rain or snow are predicted, you’ll spend more time inside campus buildings, but bring your appropriate gear just in case. Above all, choose good walking shoes. You want to be comfortable!
- Depending on the school, you’ll either check in at a visitors’ center or at the admissions office itself. This is especially important at schools that care about demonstrated interest. (Not sure which ones fall into that category? Ask us!)
- After you’ve seen several campuses they may blur together. (Which school had the great study spaces? Where was the Hogwarts-like library? Who had those fantastic chocolate chip cookies? Take photos! Ask questions! Yes, the admissions committee will be taking a good look at you and your credentials. But you’re the consumer – it’s your four years,, and you want to be as informed as possible.
Second: getting the inside scoop.
- Sure, take in the standard sights. The famous statue, the magnificent gates, the quad. But don’t stop there. This is your chance to get beyond the carefully curated images and professional photos. What else do you see? Is the campus well-maintained? Are the facilities and classrooms up-to-date? Does the student center look inviting?
- Keep an eye out for bulletin boards with posters or flyers advertising events. Check out the signs chalked on the sidewalks. These are clues to what you’ll find outside the classroom: sports, the arts, the social scene, and more. Are your interests and passions represented there?
- If the student newspaper has actual hard copies, grab one. Later, check out the op-ed page to get a sense for the social and political tenor on campus. Are students happy to be there? What are the hot topics or controversies?
- Perhaps the most important question: does this place feel like it could be your home away from home?
Third: after your visit.
- When get back in the car (and after you’ve put on your seatbelt), grab your phone or pen and paper. Take notes on everything you can remember, including everyday details. These notes can be extremely helpful when you write your “why I want to go to this college” essay.
- Remember that you can’t learn everything you need to know about a school in one visit. That’s okay! You’ll be gathering information from many different sources, and each trip is a great start.
