Windows down, music blasting, snacks at the ready… There’s nothing better than a summer road trip! So go ahead… jump in the car and go visit some college campuses!
With colleges being closed to visitors for the past year and a half, high school students have not been able to experience the benefits of visiting an actual campus. Although virtual visits have filled this void nicely, nothing replaces walking a campus quad, visiting a dorm room, seeing a college classroom, or hearing first-hand advice from an admissions Dean.
When you do get “boots on the ground” and are able to see a campus, here’s just few tips for what to listen for and pay attention to during a visit:
- When the admissions office speaks to you, listen carefully for the mission of the school. You may hear the words, interdisciplinary and collaborative, for example. What do these mean to you? (What you take away from this presentation could be material for a supplemental essay!)
- During the info session, note the description of “our most successful students.” How do you compare?
- Do some people-watching! Do students recognize each other and “say hi” or are they walking alone and wearing headphones?
- Can you imagine yourself finding a place to study in the library? If not, where might you go?
- Pick up the school’s newspaper to read what’s happening on campus and what issues are of importance to the college community.
Late summer and early fall are ideal times to visit colleges. This year, more than ever, college students are happy to be back on campus as a new semester begins. As high school seniors finalize their list of colleges and juniors start their searches, nothing is better than hitting the road for in-person visits.
This blog lists those campuses that are now open, but it is always important to check the college website before you go, as many have specific restrictions.
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