Visit the Campuses

When you talk to students just starting at a new college, it's amazing how often you hear statements like, "When I visited the campus, I knew this was the place for me."

Campus visits are so important that we strongly recommend that you visit all colleges you are seriously considering. Walking around the campus, sitting in on classes and talking to students, faculty and staff will give you a real sense of the campus.

Most four-year colleges and universities and many two-year colleges offer organized campus tour programs. Contact the campus admissions or outreach office to arrange your visit. Even if there is no organized campus visit program, most campuses will still let you visit the campus on your own.

If at all possible, visit the campus when classes are in session. You get a much better feel for the campus that way. If you can't visit when classes are in session, a weekend or vacation visit is still better than no visit at all.

Here are some activities that you should include on your campus visit if at all possible.

• Take the campus tour. Walking in and out of buildings will give you a sense of the campus facilities. The more you get a chance to get inside of the buildings, the more you will get a chance to see the campus in action.

• Take time to talk to students, not just the tour guide. Informal talks in the student union, dining halls or other meeting places can give you a chance to see what students say about their college. If you do this, you get to pick out your "typical" student.

• When you schedule your campus visit, ask to sit in a class. You will be doing a lot of this wherever you end up going, so it good idea to sit in on a class.

• Meet with a faculty member one on one in an area that interests you. It doesn't have to be the area you intend to pursue as a major, but if possible, and if you know your major interest, meeting with a faculty member in that area is a plus.

• If you are thinking about living on campus, see if you can schedule an overnight stay. If not, ask the tour guide to visit a dorm room if it isn't already on the regular tour.

• If you are interested in competing on a varsity athletics team, schedule a meeting with the coach. Bring any materials you would like the coach to have to demonstrate your skills and abilities. If you don't have any materials, that's okay.

There are certainly more possibilities for your campus visit, but if you can cover these you will have a much better sense of the campus.