Visiting a college campus is one of the best ways for a prospective student to discover how they really feel about that school. While it is common to tour multiple schools over a few days, usually during winter or spring break, sometimes those campuses start to blur together. High school students might feel overwhelmed, and parents may suffer from information overload. Often times, the “Information Sessions” can be repetitive – after all, most schools use a similar methodology to build their freshman classes.
So, how can you make sure you’re getting the information you need to differentiate between schools? First, take notes on what they’re saying. This is especially important if you are visiting multiple schools within a city on the same day (BC and BU, anyone?). Second, take pictures! This should be a fun experience, and what better way to envision yourself as a student than to literally picture yourself there? Third, ask your student ambassador or tour guide the following questions.
Note the way the questions are worded – you don’t want to ask the guide for their opinion, because it’s their job to sell you on the school. You want cold, hard, facts – and to make your own decisions based on them.
1. Are students here competitive?
If you are currently attending a high-pressure high school, then you know what a “pressure-cooker” environment feels like. Whether you like that environment is a whole other story. Some students thrive in it, and other students’ mental health suffers from this culture. You know yourself best – and so the answer to this question can sway you in one direction or the other.
2. What is advising like at this school?
Some schools have regular, required meetings with advisors for students to assess their academic progress, their trajectory, and to ensure they are acquiring the necessary credits to graduate on time. Advisors are an important part of any student’s academic career, because they can expose students to opportunities, offerings, and courses of study that the student may not have been aware of, such as studying abroad, winter terms, double majoring or double minoring, and more. If the advising is weak, irregular, or if there simply aren’t enough advisors to handle the student body, it might be worth it to search elsewhere.
3. Do most students live on campus?
This question is one that can make or break a student’s decision to attend a school. Some students are looking for an environment in which upperclassmen are living independently, renting homes or apartments and founding a life in the surrounding city. Others are looking for a more traditional college experience, including dorm living, and for a variety of social activities that occur on campus, such as sports games. While many schools require that freshmen – especially out of state students – live on-campus, some schools have a high proportion of commuters from the start.
4. Where would a student go for extra academic support?
A good school should have a variety of resources for students who need help. This question is designed to see where the student ambassador’s mind goes first. A great school will have several layers of support: teacher’s assistants, office hours directly with professors, peer tutoring, writing centers, disability support services, academic advising, librarians and research assistants, and more.
5. What do students do for fun?
While academics are the whole purpose of higher education, a student’s social life is just as important. Balance is key for good mental health. The answers to this may surprise you – so keep an ear out for anything that strikes your interest, whether that be Greek Life, Friday Night Football, or Sunday morning yoga on the quad. Tip: School-sponsored clubs and events can be something to mention in your “Why Us?” essays in your applications.
6. How do students travel on and off campus?
This question can help you envision both how you get from class to class (walking? bike? campus trolly?) and how you can get home for the holidays. If you’re a New Yorker looking at schools in the midwest, you might want to think about getting your driver’s license. And if you’re a California kid heading to the big apple, you’ll want some tips on navigating the subway system safely.
7. What type of cultural and religious resources and events are available to students?
If you are a practicing Jew and looking for a student community to have Shabbat dinner with, or a Catholic looking for Sunday services, or a Black student looking for a Black Student Union…the list goes on. If it is important to you to practice, celebrate, or partake in traditions close to your heart, you’ll want to know you can find them on campus.
8. Are internships or part-time jobs popular?
The pros and cons of open and closed campuses often center on opportunities to interact with the “real world.” Some programs bake internships into their curriculum, and they are a requirement to graduate. If you are a student who needs to work to support yourself through school, being able to access part-time jobs in the surrounding area is essential. Your guide should talk about your school’s career services center if there is one, and other resources such as school-exclusive job postings and networking events.
9. What makes this school different from other schools?
This is, granted, a softball question. However, it’s a good way to get the highlights version of what makes this school special. Keep an ear out for anything that isn’t generic, such as the school being a high producer of Fulbright scholars, the likelihood of students to continue onto grad school, senior capstone or thesis requirements, hands-on research or experiential learning opportunities, and even some campus traditions.
10. How does this school support graduating students in finding a career, or moving onto post-graduate study?
Whether or not you intend to continue studying and achieve a masters or doctorate isn’t a decision you need to make as a high school student. However, you don’t want to be a senior in college without any support in making that move, and you don’t want to be kicked out of the nest to plummet to the ground without any career prospects, either. A strong alumni network, career counseling, and post-graduate academic advising are all important elements to look for.
Bonus Tip:
While on your campus visit, don’t forget to try the dining hall for lunch! You may be visiting the area for the first time and itching to make reservations at the city’s coolest restaurants, but as a college student you won’t be eating Michelin-starred dinners – you’ll be swiping your meal card just like everyone else (especially as a freshmen, where meal plans are often required!).
Most of all, enjoy your visit, have fun, and be excited! This is the start of a brand new chapter.
The Circle 