There's no substitute for seeing, feeling, and experiencing the atmosphere of a college campus, especially for potential future students trying to decide where to apply, and in the case of admitted applicants, to enroll. I wrote a lengthy blogpost about the importance of campus visits if you're wondering why you should visit.
This post is about how to about make the most of the visit itself.
Before the visit
If you've taken a mind to visit a campus, understand the policies around visits. Some campuses are wide open to all visitors like a city park. There might be a few locked buildings, especially when classes are not in sessions, but mostly they are accessible at anytime for anyone to walk around. An example of an open campus is UCLA. Other campuses are gated and only permit entry to those with university ID, or previously scheduled university appointments. An example is Barnard College. Some universities have designated days for potential applicants to visit, such as Open Days at UK universities. Usually it is necessary to register to participate in such events. Research visiting policies and plan accordingly.
Many universities have altered their visitation policies due to campus protests. I experienced this on a recent visit to New York. NYU, The Cooper Union, The New School and Columbia University were all closed to visitors.
Schedule a visit
You can usually find information about information sessions, campus tours, available dates, directions, parking and contact information on the university website. Information sessions are usually an hour and tours may take another hour. Representatives from the admission office usually lead the information session and a current student gives the tour. This gives students and families face to face opportunities to ask questions to someone from the admission team who understands the application requirements and admission policies of the university, and a student who can answer questions about their experience as an undergraduate.
Research the University
Once you know you'll be visiting, dig a little into the school. Look at departments and majors, student clubs and organizations, athletics, arts and other things that interest you. It's important to know that they actually have an mechanical engineering major before you ask if it's a good one.
Game plan
Discuss the visit with your anyone who is going with you on the campus visit. You may feel embarrassed to ask a question, and can rely on a parent or sibling to ask it for you. Or, perhaps the opposite is true. Maybe seeing your Dad ask, "is this a party school?" in front of the tour group is beyond mortifying to you. Make a game plan with your family to figure out what questions you might want to ask, and who will do the asking. Another option is wait until after the tour or information session to ask your questions in a one-on-one moment with the admissions representative or student tour guide if they are available.
Reach out before you meet with a specific department or service
If you have specific questions for an academic department or student service, reach out ahead of time via email to schedule a meeting on the day of your tour. International students might have questions about international students services and supports. Students with specific needs might want to know more about services for learning differences, wellness, and other supports. The answers to most basic questions will be on the university website. Use the in-person opportunity with faculty and administration to learn more specific information to your needs and interests.
What to Bring
Be prepared to walk a lot, so wear comfy shoes and be prepared for the weather. Bring something to record notes, and a bag to carry the printed materials you might be given in the information session. Also, bring an open mind. A university might reveal itself to be different than what you expected.
Getting there
University websites usually have detailed information on how to get to campus, including which subway or train line to take. Pay attention to how to get to the university. As an international student, you will be making this trip on your own. Imagine making the journey on your own to the airport to get home for the holidays.
During the Visit
Listen carefully to details in the information session. These presentations often include details about the university mission, the kinds of students who find success there, and outcomes after graduation. This information is very important to understand if the university aligns with your priorities and educational objectives.
Have a reliable way to capture your thoughts and impressions so you can revisit them later on. Take a lot of photos.
Ask questions (see game plan above), and get the business card of the admission officer who represents your region. They will be a great point of contact as you go forward, because they will be familiar with your academic and geographic context as an applicant. Ask the student tour guide about their experience, such as why they chose that university, why they chose their major, what do they love about the school, and what they would like to change about it.
Extras
After participating in the official visit programming (info session and tour), I like to wander the campus on my own for a bit to take in the environment and reflect on what I've learned, preferably at a student dining hall or coffee shop.
Politely ask current students if you can ask them about their experience. Ask about their experience with the school. Are they able to register for required classes easily, and are they satisfied with their academic program. Do they feel supported by campus resources such as career services, academic advising or health and wellness? Include these opinions as another bit of information among many you are taking in during the visit.
Visit the surrounding neighborhood. Are services you will need regularly such as a grocery store and pharmacy within walking distance? Is there reliable public transportation, or do students solve their day-to-day needs by car?
Visit the bookstore if you are interested in college swag.
After the visit
Allow time for reflection. Compare notes with those who visited with you. Save this valuable information. You might want to look back on it as you write the Why this College? essay.
Avoid running to the next campus visit. Memories from back to back visits tend to meld into each other.
Send any follow-up questions to the admission office or other appropriate university contact. Keep in touch with the school if you plan to apply.
If the school left you unimpressed, reflect and identify the specific aspects that turned you off, and why. Keep those in your notes as well, and look for college options that do things differently. If you felt the school was too large, look at smaller options going forward. If it was too remote and disconnected from its surroundings, look for more urban locations. If you felt the department didn't have adequate resources for the program you want to study, then research institutions that devote attention to your major - and so on. Identify your preferences, and find the colleges that meet them.
If you would like help identifying colleges and university programs that fit your needs, or would like guidance planning a campus visit, please reach out.
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