Visiting college campuses is one of the highlights of senior year. For brief moments, you get to experience life as a college student and see what’s in store for the next four or five years. Scoping out your prospective colleges allows you narrow your choices – not unlike test driving a car when you’re car shopping.
During Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring breaks, take the opportunity to visit the schools you like the most with your friends and family. If you lack the finances to visit all of your favorites, select a couple of schools that are different from one another. A small private university in a rural location can be very different from a big state university in an urban area. You’ll be able to classify the other schools you’re considering but weren’t able to see firsthand by comparing them to the ones you did visit. In the planning stages, research the college by visiting its website. Print out maps of the campus so you don’t get lost; finding parking and then navigating across a big campus can be a confusing experience. If tours are given on the days you plan to visit, sign up for one so you can become more familiar with the area. Schedule appointments with an admissions officer and an advisor in your desired major. You’ll get a better idea of the academic requirements.
When you’re on campus, do everything possible to put yourself in the shoes of the average student. If classes are still in session, attempt to sit in on a lecture and observe how the professor interacts with his students. Perhaps you’ll be in the same spot months down the road. Browse through the library and see what kinds of study resources are offered. Eat lunch in the campus dining hall and decide if that pricey meal plan really is worth it. In the meantime, chat with some students and get their views on their school. After you’ve met with an advisor, seek out a couple of professors and ask what they expect from their students. Get as much contact information as you can because you’ll inevitably have more questions when making your final decision on where to attend. It’s also important to remember to have fun because it’s a trip and college itself is supposed to be a blast. Drive around the surrounding community and visit the most popular bars and restaurants that represent the culture of the school. It’s the best way to find out if you belong.