Visiting college campuses is an essential step in the selection process, offering insights that brochures and websites can't capture. It allows you to gauge if a campus feels like home and to experience the unique vibe of college life firsthand, revealing the true character of a university and transforming your list of options into potential homes. This firsthand experience demystifies the process, providing clarity and confidence in your decision-making.
Visiting a college campus serves different purposes depending on where students are in their college journey. For those just beginning to think about college, visits help spark excitement and provide a broad sense of the options available. For students applying to college, visits offer a deeper look into specific programs and campus culture, helping to refine their list of schools. For admitted students, campus visits are crucial for making the final decision about where to enroll, allowing them to envision themselves as part of the community and confirm that the school is the right fit.
The best time of year to visit a college campus is during the academic year when classes are in session. This allows prospective students to see the campus in full swing, interact with current students and faculty, and experience the day-to-day atmosphere. Spring and fall are particularly good times to visit, as the weather is usually pleasant, and campuses are vibrant with activity. However, for those unable to visit during the school year, summer visits can still provide valuable insights, especially if tours and information sessions are offered.
It's best to avoid visits during finals and commencement, as these times can be hectic and less representative of the usual campus environment, and many offices and services may be closed to visitors.
Take the Kids to Campus
Since my kids were young, we attended cultural events at Unifeso, a university close to home. These visits helped them understand how a university can interact with its community. I encourage taking young children to college events and discussing university spaces and their purposes. I began taking my children to university campuses in middle school during our yearly trips to visit family in California. These visits were fun adventures of discovery, like encountering the skeletal remains of Lucy, a 3-million-year-old human ancestor on display at UC Berkeley, or running in and out of the giant steel folds of the Richard Serra sculpture at UCLA. Visiting universities was like visiting museums. It cultivated their curiosity.
Visiting as a curious High Schooler
Visiting a college as a 9th or 10th grader can be incredibly beneficial. It helps students start thinking about their future early, allowing them to visualize their goals and understand the steps needed to achieve them. Early visits can demystify and reduce anxiety about the college experience, and inspire academic motivation by seeing firsthand what college life entails. Additionally, these visits can help students identify their preferences for campus size, location, and academic programs.
Visiting as a Potential Applicant
Visiting a campus as a potential applicant allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the university's academic programs, campus culture, and facilities. It provides an opportunity to ask questions about admissions, financial aid, and student life, and to envision themselves as part of the community. Engaging with current students and faculty can offer valuable insights and help clarify whether the school is the right fit, making the application process more informed and targeted.
During a campus visit, potential applicants can ask specific questions to gather valuable information about the university across several key areas:
Academic Programs
Ask questions about majors, and the specific resources or programs that support students in that major.
Ask about core or general education requirements, and academic flexibility
Ask when students declare their majors. Do they apply directly to a specific school or college within the university, or do they apply to the university as a whole, and declare their major later?
Are there opportunities for undergraduate research or internships in my field?
Are the learning experiences in that major or department more theoretical or hands-on?
Ask about important data points such as 4-year graduation rate and retention rate
Campus Life and Resources
Can you describe the housing options for freshmen and upperclassmen?
What academic support services are available, such as tutoring or writing centers?
What is the vibe among students? Nerdy, athletic, artsy, party, preppy?
Ask the student tour guide if they feel there is a strong feeling of community on campus, or is everyone going off to do their own thing
What percentage of students live on campus?
Is on-campus housing guaranteed, and for how many years? Is it difficult to get off-campus housing?
Can you show me key facilities like the library, laboratories, and relevant academic buildings?
How accessible are amenities such as dining halls, health services, and recreational spaces?
Student Experience
Describe the campus culture and typical student activities.
Understand the demographic makeup of the student body. Is there socioeconomic, political, geographic and cultural diversity?
Are there other students from your part of the world, and a club organization that supports them? (Example: Brasa)
What recreational facilities and extracurricular activities are popular among students?
Career Services and Outcomes
How does the university support students in securing internships and job placements?
Can you provide examples of companies that recruit graduates from this university?
What percentage of students find employment or enroll in graduate school soon after graduation?
Admissions and Financial Aid
What factors beyond grades and test scores are considered in the admissions process?
How does the university handle need-based and merit-based financial aid?
Are there specific scholarships or grants available for incoming freshmen?
Potential applicants with specific needs should also inquire about:
Accessibility and Accommodations
Health and Wellness Services
Support for Learning Differences
Diversity and Inclusion
Housing and Residential Life for students with medical or dietary needs
Career Services and Transitioning for students with specific career goals or needs
Financial and Administrative Support for navigating financial aid and administrative processes
International students should make the most of these visits by scheduling meetings with admissions counselors who specialize in international recruitment, attending campus events, and exploring the local community to understand the environment they'll be living in. Engaging with international student services can provide valuable insights into the support systems available, making the transition to studying abroad smoother.
These questions are crucial for potential applicants to assess whether a university can effectively support their unique needs and circumstances throughout their academic journey. Understanding these aspects helps students make informed decisions about their college choice, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to thrive on campus.
A Visit to help Make the Final Decision
Sometimes an admitted students event is an applicant's first physical encounter with the campus. Colleges tend to put on their best and roll out the red carpet for these visitors, hoping to entice them to enroll. Beyond the all of the above advice, here are some specific recommendations for admitted students to leverage the loser look they are afforded in these visits.
Interact with Current Students
Meeting current students and engaging with them provides valuable perspectives. Admitted students can ask about their experiences, academic life, social activities, and support services, giving them a sense of what it's like to be a student at that university.
Attend Sample Classes or Specialized Information Sessions
Many universities offer admitted students the opportunity to attend sample classes or specialized information sessions during campus visits. This allows them to experience the teaching style, interact with faculty members, and learn more about specific programs or departments of interest.
Evaluate Housing Options
Admitted students often get a chance to see, or even stay a night in dormitories and residential areas to see firsthand where they would potentially live and assess if the housing options meet their preferences and needs.
Connect with Potential Classmates, and hug the Mascot
Campus visits may coincide with events where admitted students meet each other. Building connections with future classmates can provide a sense of community and support, making the decision to enroll more comfortable and exciting.
Visualize Daily Life
Walking around campus and its surroundings allows admitted students to visualize their daily life as a student there. They can imagine themselves navigating the campus, participating in activities, and living in the community, which can help them envision their future at that university.
Overall, a campus visit for admitted students is invaluable in providing firsthand experiences, allowing them to compare their options objectively and make a confident, informed decision about where to enroll for their college experience.
I hope this blogpost sparks curiosity in exploring all that college campuses have to offer visitors of all ages. If you'd like guidance in planning a campus visit, please reach out to me here.
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