SUGGESTIONS FOR COLLEGE VISITS - One of the most important steps in your college search is the campus visit.  Planning campus visits takes energy, time, and money, but it is worth it!  Take advantage of college tours sponsored by your high school or visitation days sponsored by the colleges.  Even if the tours do not include the specific colleges you are interested in, it's good to see different ypes of colleges to determine a good fit for you.  Ideally, your visit should be when the college is in session so you can observe the college community in action, but since schedules are rearely ideal, visit whenever you can including vacations, weekend, etc.

Preparing for Visits and Interviews

• Make your visit "official" by calling ahead to schedule an appointment.  If schools offer individual interviews, you may need to phone several weeks in advance to take advantage of this opportunity.
• Find out when campus tours are scheduled and take advantage of a guided tour as well as the information session, which is typically led by an admission officer.
• Inquire about staying in a residence hall (not all schools offer this option and many offer this only to seniors during the week).
• Inquire about attending a class, meeting with a professor, meeting with a coach, or music auditions
• Learn as much about the college before you visit by reading the viewbook and visiting the school's web site.
• Prepare questions to ask during your visit.
• Consider taking an "unofficial" transcript with you so that admission counselors can give you a realistic idea of how competitive you might be in their applicant pool.
• During your time on campus, you will be assessing the college. In order to gather as much information as possible, it will be important to ask questions and take notes.  In touring the campus, try not to let your opinion of the tour guide influence your evaluation of the college.

Be sure to make arrangements in advance!

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE COLLEGE VISIT

Visit the college while it is in session so you will be able to talk not only with the admission officer, but also with the students who attend the college.  Some questions you might wish to have answered are as follows:

1. Generally, what sizes are classes?  For freshmen?  For upperclassmen?
2. What kinds of cultural, sports, literary activities are offered on campus?
3. Must one join specific organizations to be a part of campus life, or is there room to be included in other ways?
4. What percentage of students remain on campus during weekends?
5. What kinds of living accommodations are there?
6. Are intramural sports available?
7. What percentage of students receive financial aid?  what is an average financial aid package amount?
8. How much importance is placed on social activities and other extracurricular activities?
9. What is the institutional policy for reporting security incidents?
10. What support services are available to students?

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED DURING A COLLEGE VISIT

1. How did you first hear about this college?
2. What are you career goals?
3. What are you interested in majoring in?
4. What kinds of things do you do outside of school?
5. What do you think are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
6. How familiar are you with this college?
7. What are your priorities in selecting a college?
8. How would you describe your high school?
9. What is the most significant contribution you have made to your school?

COLLEGE VISIT FOLLOW UP

1. Make notes on the college as soon as possible after the visit  ( likes, dislikes, name and title of interviewer (get a business card if possible), important points to remember, answers to questions.)
2. Write a letter of appreciation.  (This shows thoughtfulness, courtesy, and maturity.  It reinforces the admission officer's memory of you as an individual.)