The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #139:

Please give me some ideas on how to organize college visits. (courtesy David Susco, Haddam Neck, CT)

Answer #139:

There are several ways of visiting schools and it all depends on how informal you would like your visit to be. Some people like to just drive up to a campus, park, walk around, and talk to a few students. If they like the campus, they can plan a second visit for a formal guided tour and then schedule an interview in the admissions office. An informal visit can be very valuable, letting the student and family absorb the "feel" of the campus and student body without any pressure or performance anxiety. Sometimes, distance or time makes it difficult to schedule multiple visits. In those cases, you should call or e-mail the admissions office to see what times student tours and information sessions are offered. Although not all colleges require a personal interview, it's a good idea to request one if you believe that you are comfortable in the interview format and have noteworthy interpersonal skills. If you are a client of EDUFAX, you will receive the EDUFAX Guides: Preparing For Your Campus Visits Preparing for Your College Interviews The guides detail what to look for on-campus, how to gather the information you need, the interview procedures, what you should expect, how you should conduct yourself and how to respond to the interviewer's questions. I will also will help you prepare for the interview by conducting a "mock interview" with you and giving feedback on your responses. Get a detailed description of the services EDUFAX provides for the Collegebound High School Student. The "fullest" type of college visit involves a tour, an interview, visits to classes and an overnight stay on campus. Some people arrange the overnight visits with students they know and others ask the admissions office to set them up. If you are matched with a person who doesn't seem to share your interests, don't judge the entire social or academic scene solely by one person's lifestyle. If you are planning to play a varsity sport, or pursue a specific academic or artistic interest, it is possible to meet with professors and coaches during your time on campus. The admissions office is usually quite helpful in directing you toward the appropriate people, and you can arrange your meetings with them in advance to dovetail with your other campus activities. While you are visiting a school, make sure to read the bulletin boards, see what issues are important in the student newspaper, find out about the food in the cafeteria, and have a few students tell you candidly about the best and worst things on campus. Don't forget a visit to the campus bookstore. This above all -- try to be nice to your parents. After all, if they weren't a generation older than you (and totally uncool by definition), they wouldn't be able to pay your tuition! EDUFAX provides services for the Collegebound High School Student.

Students who read this question were also interested in: The Campus Q.#2 : Is a campus visit necessary ? Q.#157 : Is it worthwhile to visit schools in junior year? If this information was helpful, please click on the smiley

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