What Should I Do and What Should I Ask While on My College Visits?
/As you and your student embark on the traditional Spring Break College Visits, it is important to know the essential stops on campus and the pertinent questions to ask Tour Guides, Admissions Representatives, and Professors. First and foremost, explore the facilities… Check out the libraries, laboratories, gym, dining areas, and student centers. You’re going to spend 4 years there, so make sure that you like the campus layout and the amenities. If you plan on living on campus, then make sure that your Tour Guide shows you the dorms. Also, be sure to tour the surrounding area. See what is within walking distance off-campus, including restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, and grocery stores.
Make sure to ask questions while on the tour and during the admissions presentations. Important questions for Tour Guides include:
Why did you choose this college?
What do you do for fun outside of the classroom?
Which annual events on campus do you enjoy most?
What is one positive and one negative about going to college here?
You can also talk to Admissions Representatives and Professors while visiting the campus. Most of them are willing to answer questions from prospective candidates for admission. Pertinent questions for faculty and staff include:
How accessible are Professors outside of class?
What types of research or internship opportunities exist?
Why should a student choose this college over others in the region?
Which student support services are provided on campus?
One of the most important, yet overlooked, steps is requesting contact information from individuals that you meet on campus. Whether it is your Tour Guide, an Admissions Representative, or a Professor, asking for an email address to provide a follow up “thank you” is a critical step in this process. In fact, an email thanking admissions staff for their presentation counts as one contact in their database. Traditionally, you want 3 contacts with colleges that you are interested in– each of which is recorded in the admissions database for recruitment tracking.
Ultimately, the few hours after the official tour is almost as important as the tour itself. You need to ask yourself the following questions:
Did you feel comfortable on campus?
Could you see yourself thriving there?
Did you like the people that you met?
Is the campus culture a good fit?
Do you like the location and community?
Is your major department strong?
Will this college help you achieve your career goals?
How connected is the Alumni network?
Spring Break college visits are more than just campus tours— they are an opportunity to picture the next chapter of your life. Walking through dorms, sitting in on classes, and talking with current students can transform a list of schools into real possibilities. While brochures and websites provide helpful information, nothing compares to experiencing a campus in person. By the end of the week, you may not have every answer, but you will likely have a clearer sense of where you feel inspired, comfortable, and excited about the future. Those impressions often become the most valuable guide when it comes time to make one of the biggest decisions of your academic journey.
