It's college tour season, and as a rising senior in high school, my stress levels have been particularly elevated as high school begins to come to an end. I have been constantly researching and learning about potential colleges I plan on applying to, but written knowledge can only give me so much attachment to a school. Visiting a college and putting yourself in the shoes of a student there is one of the most important factors in the decision process, as most people claim that they can just "feel" when a college is right for them. Because of its importance, I have been keen on making my campus tours meaningful.
Below is a list of tips and suggestions to make college tours as useful and productive as possible.
1. Research the college's details before arrival.
Prior to going on the tours, knowing most of the college's data and statistics is extremely useful. Not only does it make you more prepared when you arrive, it allows you to ask more thoughtful questions to the tour guides and admissions faculty. Websites like the US News and the National Center for Education Statistics are beneficial when looking at the profile of the school and student body, for you should really only go on a tour of a college that fits your personal desires and academic achievements.
2. Travel around the college's town before or after the tour.
In order to get an accurate picture of your life at a certain college, gaining a feel for the town's vibe is necessary. Because you will (probably) be living in a new town or area, it is important to decide whether or not you enjoy its lifestyle. I recommend eating at restaurants around town and taking a drive or walk throughout the area.
3. Create a list of pros and cons.
Because you will most likely be visiting multiple colleges, keeping a list of what you like and dislike about each of them will help in remembering the school and figuring out your college "type" (ex: location, size). Be very honest about your preferences no matter your outside influencers; ultimately, you are the one who could be going to that college.
4. Ask as many questions as you need.
Even though no one wants to be seen as a "dork" for asking a multitude of questions during the tour, it is so much better to receive all of your desired answers about a college than to look cool and nonchalant. The colleges are advertising themselves to you, so they want their potential students to be curious and excited.
5. Express interest.
If you feel as though you could see yourself at the college you toured, be sure to express your interest in them. Because most schools use programs like the Common App and Coalition, where students can easily submit their applications to any school without changing their responses, it is difficult for them to decipher who is truly interested and who is applying just to apply. If you speak with the admissions faculty, put in your email to receive information and even follow their social media accounts. The school will know that you actively desire to attend.
6. If you visit in the summer, go again during school season.
A school with students and a school without students are completely different entities. Although you may like a campus and its opportunities, you may not like the student body or the academics. If you liked your campus tour in the summer and are considering applying to that college, ask the admissions faculty if they provide campus tours while school is in session to get a better feel for the college's overall vibe and ways of life.
7. Visit a variety of schools.
Even if you think you are dead-set on a certain type of school, whether it be an urban campus or large size, you should visit other types if you have the ability. This will open you up to new perspectives to either confirm your desires to attend a certain school, or even spark your interest in other types. From my personal experience, I always thought I wanted to go to a small school of around 5,000 students, but after visiting a couple of colleges with different sizes, I changed my entire opinion and currently hope to go to a mid-size school of around 20,000 students.
