Most high school students are aware that the college admissions process is long. With the demands of building a college list, preparing for standardized tests, writing application essays and more, it can feel like college visits shouldn’t be prioritized. However, not all applicants understand the unique and important role campus visits play in the college admissions process.
Visiting multiple schools allows students to gain perspective on what kind of environment they are looking for, and it also helps applicants highlight their interest in prospective colleges. There’s more to campus visits, however, than just being a “gut check” on whether or not a school is a good fit for a student. Here a few other reasons why college visits are important and what applicants can do to ensure they gain as much as possible from each visit.
Visits Show Demonstrated Interest
Colleges are eager to admit applicants who have done their research and are excited about the possibility to attend a specific school. Every university strives to maintain their yield rate, or the number of accepted applicants who choose to enroll. Colleges are looking for students who demonstrate strong knowledge and interest in a school as they may be more likely to enroll if admitted. Visiting a college is one way in which applicants can demonstrate their interest in a specific institution, as they get first-hand experience of the campus, and some colleges even track whether or not students have visited. In order to ensure the college has a record of your visit, register in advance for official tours and information sessions.
You Can Picture Yourself on Campus
Not sure whether you’d prefer a large research institution or a small liberal arts college? Physically placing yourself in different types of college environments may help you determine what kind of learning atmosphere is most appealing to you. Even students with preconceived notions about what kind of college they wish to attend should consider visiting other schools to make sure they are not missing out on any alternatives that may ultimately be a better match. Strive to tour colleges in both rural locations and bustling cities and be sure to visit institutions of different sizes to gain perspective on what you are looking for.
Get In-Depth Details Direct from the Source
Students need to research colleges thoroughly in order to create a balanced list of best-fit schools and to craft university-specific supplement essays that highlight their knowledge of each institution. While a school’s website is a great starting point, touring a college will enable students to take their knowledge of the institution to the next level. Tours and information sessions provide prospective applicants with the opportunity to ask questions, explore landmarks on campus, and learn what sets the college apart. In order to walk away with as much information as possible, applicants may wish to sit in on a lecture, eat at an on-campus dining hall, and look into staying overnight with a current student.
Visiting multiple schools allows students to gain perspective on what kind of environment they are looking for, and it also helps applicants highlight their interest in prospective colleges. There’s more to campus visits, however, than just being a “gut check” on whether or not a school is a good fit for a student. Here a few other reasons why college visits are important and what applicants can do to ensure they gain as much as possible from each visit.
Visits Show Demonstrated Interest
Colleges are eager to admit applicants who have done their research and are excited about the possibility to attend a specific school. Every university strives to maintain their yield rate, or the number of accepted applicants who choose to enroll. Colleges are looking for students who demonstrate strong knowledge and interest in a school as they may be more likely to enroll if admitted. Visiting a college is one way in which applicants can demonstrate their interest in a specific institution, as they get first-hand experience of the campus, and some colleges even track whether or not students have visited. In order to ensure the college has a record of your visit, register in advance for official tours and information sessions.
You Can Picture Yourself on Campus
Not sure whether you’d prefer a large research institution or a small liberal arts college? Physically placing yourself in different types of college environments may help you determine what kind of learning atmosphere is most appealing to you. Even students with preconceived notions about what kind of college they wish to attend should consider visiting other schools to make sure they are not missing out on any alternatives that may ultimately be a better match. Strive to tour colleges in both rural locations and bustling cities and be sure to visit institutions of different sizes to gain perspective on what you are looking for.
Get In-Depth Details Direct from the Source
Students need to research colleges thoroughly in order to create a balanced list of best-fit schools and to craft university-specific supplement essays that highlight their knowledge of each institution. While a school’s website is a great starting point, touring a college will enable students to take their knowledge of the institution to the next level. Tours and information sessions provide prospective applicants with the opportunity to ask questions, explore landmarks on campus, and learn what sets the college apart. In order to walk away with as much information as possible, applicants may wish to sit in on a lecture, eat at an on-campus dining hall, and look into staying overnight with a current student.
Adapted from IvyWise. See full article here.
BEFORE YOUR VISIT
Research
To be able to get the full experience, you need to know what you’re looking for and what makes that college or university appealing to you. Reviewing a school’s social media profiles is a good pre-visit research method in that it’s a great way to get a feel for a school’s level of informal interaction with students. Following their Facebook and Twitter accounts can also keep you up-to-date on school news and what may be going on around campus during the time of your visit. Research a school’s website, publications and blogs as well.
Remember that you can consult your SchooLinks list about which factors were important to you and why that school is a potential match for you (see here for more information). The prep work you have already done is part of your research!
Remember that you can consult your SchooLinks list about which factors were important to you and why that school is a potential match for you (see here for more information). The prep work you have already done is part of your research!
Additionally, you need to find out about each schools' procedure. Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay, from a casual guided tour to a formal presentation. Be sure to ask how long the whole visit will take so you know what to expect at each school.
Most campus visits will include the following:
If you are interested, also make sure to ask if you are able to schedule any of the following activities at the same time as your tour:
Most campus visits will include the following:
- An information session. An admission representative talks to you or your group about the college before the campus tour.
- A campus tour. These are usually led by current students. You’ll see the main parts of the campus and have a chance to ask questions.
If you are interested, also make sure to ask if you are able to schedule any of the following activities at the same time as your tour:
- Attend a class.
- Meet with a professor.
- Meet with an admission officer.
- Meet with a financial aid officer.
- Attend a club meeting or a sports practice session.
- Eat in the dining hall.
- Spend the night in a dorm.
Schedule Visit
Schedule your visit well in advance. Group information sessions can fill up very quickly depending on the time of the year. The general rule of thumb is to call at least three weeks in advance to schedule your visit. It’s always best to visit a school while it’s in session.
All colleges have admission offices that can help you plan your visit. Contact the college admission office through the college's website or by email or phone to get details and make a reservation. Make sure to clarify how long the tour is, what is included on the tour, and request additional experiences if you're interested in any.
All colleges have admission offices that can help you plan your visit. Contact the college admission office through the college's website or by email or phone to get details and make a reservation. Make sure to clarify how long the tour is, what is included on the tour, and request additional experiences if you're interested in any.
Prepare
- Make a list of questions to ask both staff and students.
- Get a map of the college campus and check where the admission office is. This will help ensure that you're on time for your visit.
- Pack a notebook and a camera so you can record your impressions. Chances are you will be visiting more than one school on the same trip and it’s easy to forget what you saw at each college or university.
- Make fair comparisons of the colleges you visit.
AFTER YOUR VISIT
Review your notes
What you really liked about the visit? What stuck out to you? Did you like the layout of the campus? Were there a lot of resource centers? Did you like the gym? Were the professors interesting? There are a lot of things to keep in mind, so jot down everything positive about the trip.
Once that’s done, it’s time to switch over to the negatives. What did you dislike? Was the bus system tricky to figure out? Were the dorms far away from the classrooms? Was there a lack of student events? Did they not have the club you wanted to join?
Collect and File All Materials
You were probably given handbooks, pamphlets, flyers, and all sorts of other information about that school. Along with any notes you took during the tour, gather all the materials you got and organize them together. Review the material and add any relevant information to your Storyboard in Xello (see below).
Have a Conversation with Your Parents
Assuming your parents went on the tour with you, sit down and have a conversation about your experiences. They may have seen or thought of things you hadn’t considered, and vice versa. Talking about the event can help solidify your own thoughts.
Revise Your College List
The visit likely strengthens or weakened your desire to attend that particular school. Now it’s time to go through your list and either strike off or star certain colleges.
What you really liked about the visit? What stuck out to you? Did you like the layout of the campus? Were there a lot of resource centers? Did you like the gym? Were the professors interesting? There are a lot of things to keep in mind, so jot down everything positive about the trip.
Once that’s done, it’s time to switch over to the negatives. What did you dislike? Was the bus system tricky to figure out? Were the dorms far away from the classrooms? Was there a lack of student events? Did they not have the club you wanted to join?
Collect and File All Materials
You were probably given handbooks, pamphlets, flyers, and all sorts of other information about that school. Along with any notes you took during the tour, gather all the materials you got and organize them together. Review the material and add any relevant information to your Storyboard in Xello (see below).
Have a Conversation with Your Parents
Assuming your parents went on the tour with you, sit down and have a conversation about your experiences. They may have seen or thought of things you hadn’t considered, and vice versa. Talking about the event can help solidify your own thoughts.
Revise Your College List
The visit likely strengthens or weakened your desire to attend that particular school. Now it’s time to go through your list and either strike off or star certain colleges.
Virtual Visits
While touring every college on your best-fit list in-person may be ideal, it is not always feasible. If you’re unable to physically visit your top-choice schools, look into virtual tours.
Check out websites such as: CampusTours and EcampusTours
Check out websites such as: CampusTours and EcampusTours
Check out some of Washington's 4 yr Universities via virtual tour:
Washington State University (WSU)
University of Washington - Seattle (UW)
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
Central Washington University (CWU)
Saint Martin's University
Eastern Washington University
Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
University of Puget Sound
Gonzaga University
Whitman College
Seattle University
Bastyr University
Evergreen State College
Whitworth University
University of Washington - Seattle (UW)
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
Central Washington University (CWU)
Saint Martin's University
Eastern Washington University
Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
University of Puget Sound
Gonzaga University
Whitman College
Seattle University
Bastyr University
Evergreen State College
Whitworth University