7 Tips to Make the Most of College Visits

College visit season is picking up and families are venturing to college campuses across the country to decide which school will be “the one.”

Sounds romantic right? Well, ask any student or parent who has been here before and I guarantee they will say it’s not as glamorous as it seems—especially when you’re on school number five, and it’s starting to rain.

We asked members of our Make It Better team who have been through this process themselves—either as students or parents—for their best tips to make college visits worth your while. If you do them right, there’s much more to be gained than frequent flyer miles and a stack of admissions brochures.

1. Take notes and pictures

If you and your child are visiting several schools, it can be easy to forget what he or she liked and didn’t like, and which school had the small dorm rooms or particularly tasty food. So, as you’re leaving campus, encourage them to take notes on these types of observations and their overall feelings about the school. And while you’re on the tour, take pictures to help jog your student’s memory when it’s decision time.

2. Ask for stories

Tour guides can dish out tons of facts, but if they can’t share a story with you about how they used the college’s writing center, how the career center supported them in finding an internship, or why a small class size improved their learning experience, chances are these things don’t actually happen. Anecdotes also help students visualize themselves at the school in a way that statistics don’t.

3. Look for construction

This one might seem counterintuitive, as building construction is often an eyesore, but new facilities means that the school is flourishing and investing in its students.

4. Eat in the dining hall

Not only do you want to make sure your child can tolerate the food for the next four years, but the cafeteria also gives her a chance to observe the student body. Do the students seem friendly and welcoming? Are they chatting happily with their friends or complaining about their classes? The dining hall can offer candid insight into what the students are like and whether your child thinks he or she would fit in.

5. Read the paper

Pick up a copy of the student newspaper while you’re on the tour and be sure to read through it on the way home. The paper can give you an inside look at the hot topics on campus, what events are going on and how much school spirit there is.

6. Explore

After the tour, take some time to wander around campus and explore the buildings and facilities. A less formal view of campus can give your child a better idea of the student body’s vibe. This is also a chance to explore areas of the school that aren’t on the general tour.

7. Hit the town

Keep in mind that this could be your child’s home for the next four years, so it’s important to see what the surrounding area is like, and if your student could see themself not just at the school, but in the town as well.

 

Photo: Group of College Students by Bigstock

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