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Now more than ever it’s important for college-bound students to visit college campuses as part of their college planning itinerary. College viewbooks certainly contain valuable information, but they can also hide some flaws and over exaggerate the positive aspects of the school. Students should not primarily rely on the information provided in pamphlets, brochures, web pages, and catalogues. To get a feel for the school nothing beats an actual physical campus visit.

Campus visits allow you to try on a school. Just by immersing yourself in the school’s atmosphere you can discover if it’s a place where you will be comfortable or stifled. Of course a one or two-day visit cannot tell you everything about the school, but it does allow an inside look into the different academic and social aspects of the college. While on campus don’t limit yourself by just strolling the grounds. Go inside the buildings and look around. Sit in on classes. Talk to professors and students. Sample dining hall food and discover what the rage is all about.

College visits provide an opportunity to spend some time with your family. They can offer you their advice and opinion on the campus. After all, this may be the place you’ll be spending the next four years and it wouldn’t hurt for Mom and Dad to know the great restaurants in the area as well as the ideal places to park (for when they do visit their full-time student). By having your family members along, you’re simply letting them know that their opinions and concerns still matter even if the final decision rests on your shoulders.

Prior to visiting the college you should gather as much information as you can to make it a successful trip. You’re probably wondering when will be a good time to arrange your visit. Avoid the dreaded end-of-the-semester finals week. Students and professors will be too busy and stressed to answer your questions, even if it is just directions to the bookstore. Look into a weekday during September or October because classes will be in session and the campus will be in full swing; not to mention, students are much friendlier in the first couple months of the semester.

1. Make sure day and time to visit is convenient.

2. Reserve campus tour if needed.

3. Request information to be mailed to you.

4. Find out if you need to bring anything with you.

5. Find out about available special accommodations.

6. Request a course schedule and activity calendar.

7. Inquire the driving distances between your home and the college.

8. Ask for names and numbers to contact once you arrive.

Prepare yourself to make a lot of phone calls before your trip. You will want to find out if the school offers a campus tour during your visit and if there will be time to schedule a meeting with an admissions officer, in case you want to arrange an interview. While on the telephone, ask what materials you will need to bring with you. For example, if you’ve requested an interview, your interviewer may want a copy of your high school transcript and test scores.

Two-day visits require a place for you and your family to stay. Ask about special dining and sleeping accommodations. If the school does not provide housing, request information on the local hotels including their phone numbers. Lastly, find out the driving distance between your home and the school. If it’s a lengthy distance, you may need time to book an inexpensive flight.

You’ve arrived and it’s everything you expected it to be, or nothing like you imagined. Don’t allow your first impressions to dictate your feelings towards the school. There’s so much to see and do: classes to sit in on, people to chat with, and facilities and buildings to visit. While on the campus tour, listen carefully to your guide. Oftentimes, he or she will give you tips on the best places to study and where you can eat to escape the infamous dining hall food. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help prospective students.

Following the tour, it will be up to you to find your way around campus. With your handy map, explore spots common to every school. Head to the heart of the campus, the student union. Here you will find a potpourri of things: students lounging on the sofas, gamerooms, retail food joints, the campus post office, meeting rooms for student organizations, and bulletin boards announcing group meetings, concerts, festivals, want ads, and ride requests. Other points of interest are the bookstore, the library, and the computer labs. While in the bookstore, check out the merchandise. Remember, if the books are too pricey you can usually buy used ones.

The library should be your next stop. Check to see if it is a place where students really study or just hang out to socialize. If it’s a large university it will probably have several specialized libraries. Go to as many as you can and see which ones would suit your studying style. The computer labs are also a great stopping point. Are there enough computers for the students or does there seem to be a long wait? Is there a knowledgeable attendant present to assist students? Tip: Find out the lab’s hours of operation.

As you jaunt from one part of the campus to another, keep in mind that students and professors can answer any question you may have. Ask students for their opinion of the school and campus life; and whether they have encountered difficulties during their first year. Ask professors how rigorous are the classes and what they expect of their students; what qualities they think a student must possess to excel academically at their university.

You’re several hours into your visit and you probably already feel like a college student. Just remember, you’re still a visitor and you won’t be returning tomorrow. So any impressions you have of the school will probably fade in a matter of days. Suggestion: Take notes during your visit. Jot down anything that comes to mind. If you think the campus is huge and overwhelming and may pose a problem for you in the future, write it down. Scribble any information you think is important but know you will forget later. These notes may come in handy as you weigh your options and make your final decision.

Visit:

• the student center or student union
• the library
• the dorms
• the computer labs
• the athletic facilities
• the academic buildings
• the performing arts facilities
• the Student Health Center
• Stop by the bookstore
• Sit in on classes, especially those in your prospective major
• Speak with professors
• Talk to students. Ask them about campus life and their overall opinion of the school. Seek out the first years; they can tell you how they’re adjusting.
• Sample dining hall food
• Attend plays or sporting events
• Tour the town or surrounding area of the school
• Pick up a recent copy of the school newspaper and any free school publications offered

It’s also a good idea to bring your camera and take pictures. That way, you can paste them into the family photo album to use as a reference. It’s the best way to remember distinct features of the campus and see how you looked sitting in the main quad.

You’ve concluded your campus visit and are back home contemplating your choices. Draft a thank you note to your tour guide and interviewer. Express your appreciation for their time and valuable insights, and ask any additional questions.

Although it is beneficial to arrange a campus visit, the reality is not many students and their families can afford the time and money it takes to visit all the colleges in which they’re interested. Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. There are several alternatives offered by schools.

Many colleges and universities create snazzy videos and CD-ROMs. Check your guidance office or library for the materials, or contact the school and request a free copy. The Web offers another alternative. Click through the school’s web site. You will usually find pictures of the campus in all its splendor, as well as facts about the college, the students, faculty, and degree programs. Finally, college fairs can provide a vast amount of information. Admissions officers and alumni are on hand to represent their school in addition to answering all your important questions. Remember, the information is out there. It’s up to you to take advantage of it.

Reprinted from Solutions, Octameron Associates College Planning Newsletter. For subscription, phone: 783-836-5480