You’ve been on the website, you’ve visited the message boards, and now the only thing left to do before you submit your application is to see the campus for yourself. Before you head out on your college visit road trip, check out these tips to make sure that you make the most out of your visit!
Talk to students!
Who better to get the scoop about student life from than students themselves! Talk to your future classmates about what they like (and what they don’t) about the school. They’ve been through the process of applying, picking classes and making new friends, and most are more than willing to sit and chat for a few minutes.
Sit in on a class
As long as it’s okay with the professor, sitting in on a lecture is a great way to get a feel of what classes are actually like! Do some research beforehand to find a class you might be interested in and shoot an email to the professor asking if during your visit you can snag a seat in the back (or just follow a student around to their classes–both work!). Just be sure to get permission from the instructor!
Take the tour…
Taking the campus tour is a must-do–most are led by students themselves, and you can get great insights into the history and traditions of the school. Campus tour guides are there to answer your questions about every aspect of college life, so don’t be shy!
…and then explore!
Don’t let your campus tour end when you leave the guides. Go out and explore campus on your own! Revisit places your tour guide took you, such as the student union, a dining hall or the library and spend some more time there. Put yourself in the mental mindset of a student–could you see yourself in the shoes of the students around you?
Write it down
If you’re considering many different schools, be sure to keep track of the pros and cons of each. Take plenty of pictures on your visit, and when it’s done (and while it’s fresh in your mind) write down your first impressions. What were your favorite parts? What didn’t you like? Even if it’s just a few bullet points in a note in your phone, it’s great to look back on and compare to your other top picks.
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