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  Step 3: Visit the Schools
It is very important that you visit the colleges that you have a strong interest in attending. A personal visit allows you to observe, ask questions, and determine if you like the “feel/personality” of the school as well as assessing the features and services offered to their students.

If you plan to visit a college, call their admissions office to:
• Arrange a campus tour.
• Inquire about an information session.
• Inquire about spending the night in a dorm.
• Inquire about an interview with an admissions officer.
• Inquire about an interview with a financial aid officer.

A campus visit usually takes at least half a day. During the visit, you will do a lot of walking so dress presentable and appropriate for the weather, and wear comfortable shoes. It’s important to visit the campus between 10 AM - 3 PM. Between this timeframe the campus will be the busiest and you can see for yourself what the academic and social environment is like.

Your visit to each college should include:
A campus tour.
You should be assigned a tour guide (normally a student) to show you and your parent(s) around the campus and to point out the features and services available to students. If you are not assigned a tour guide, ask the admissions office for a campus map, then highlight the areas you want to tour. During your tour, you should visit all the major places such as: academic department(s), central hangout for students, dorms, cafeteria(s), recreational center – gym, library, student center, computer labs, cultural centers for ethnic/racial groups, and surrounding community.
A tour of the dorm rooms
You should ask for a tour of the various dorms to get an idea of the various living arrangements (i.e. single, double, triple, or quad occupancy). If possible, see if you and your parents can stay in a dorm room for one night.
A tour of the academic department.
You should definitely make an appointment with a faculty member or advisor in the academic department you plan to study. During your tour, ask questions about their program, departmental scholarships, internships, job placements programs, corporate partnerships, etc.
Observe classroom lectures
If possible, you should sit in on one or two classes as an observer. This will give you a feel for the academic environment and class size. You should definitely try to sit in at least one class in your intended field of study.
Talk to current students.
Try to speak to students on-campus and in your intended major about their academic and college experiences, likes/dislikes, and whether they would recommend the school to friends and family members. There may be graduates from your high school attending the college who could also answer many of your questions. Remember, however, that you are an individual with your own needs, likes, and dislikes. After listening to the students, make sure you form your own opinion about the college and the academic program.
Read the college newspaper and other campus literature
Read the college newspaper and other campus literature, magazines, and newspapers to gain knowledge about the school’s academic, political, and social environments. This information will give you an excellent insight into the issues affecting the average student. Plus, if there are any problems with the school, you'll read about them here.
Take notes during your visit
You should bring a notebook to write down your experiences, facts, likes/dislikes, and most importantly your impressions of each place you visited and of the school


Make a final decision.
The college you choose to attend ultimately depends on your educational and career goals, the school’s personality, and most importantly the quality of education you expect to receive as a student. Before you make your final decision, you should reassess your visits and compare all the schools against one another, and then against your career goals. If you select a college that meets your goals and needs, and matches your personality, you will feel comfortable in the learning environment and hopefully enjoy your college experiences.

What's next? >>
Step 4: College Costs and Financial Aid



Written by: Sedgwick Hines Copyright 2004 AvScholars Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

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