Making the most of College Visits

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Summer is almost here, which means it's time to plan for summer college visits. While looking at the college's website is an important step, the college tour is an essential part of narrowing down your student's top choice.  

Here are some great tips to prepare for the college visit:

a)  Is it worth your time to visit?  Before you spend time and money to visit a school, take a look at the net price calculator and make sure you can afford it.  Also, make sure your student's grades and test scores fall within the school's prior year range of scores.  

b)  Dress the part - you are evaluating the school, but the school is also evaluating your student.  Dress like you would in a professional setting - at least business casual.

c)  Attend the information session - this is a great opportunity to get in front of the admissions committee.  Work with your student to brainstorm good questions to ask the committee about academic opportunities, campus life, internships, courses.  

d)  Sign up for an admissions interview - if it is available, have your student sign up for an admissions interview.  

e)  Walk around campus - take some additional time to walk around campus.  Talk to some current students, skim the school newspaper, and take a look at the area surrounding campus.

f)  Eat a meal at a dining hall - is the food edible?  Does it meet your student's expectations?  What options are available during breaks or summer?  

g)  Reddit page - take a look at the college's Reddit page, and see what people are saying about it.  While you may be filtering through some crude content, you may pick up some valuable insights that you will not see when walking around campus.  

After each visit, take some time and jot down notes about the visit.  Consider what you liked, and what you did not like about each school.