Making that Campus Visit Count
By Lee Nelson
The campus is beautiful, with fall colors aglow. The students hurry about, to and from their classes. Everyone seems happy and engaged in what they are doing. The dorm room the admission counselor shows you seems clean and bright.
The first impression is great. But look beyond what you see when you visit a college campus. More than a million students start college every fall. Almost half of all freshmen will either drop out before obtaining a degree or complete their college education elsewhere, according to the American College Testing (ACT).
Choosing the right college to fit in with future plans is a very important step.
You can’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to the right people on campus. Pay attention. Watch how people interact in class, in the cafeteria or in the student center.
“The best campus visits are those where both the student and the college get a sense of whether the match is worth pursuing,” said George Kuh, Chancellor's Professor and Director Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University, Bloomington.
He also wrote an article on “Tips for Campus Visits” at www.collegeconfidential.com. The web site offers information to prospective students and their parents on all aspects of college life.
“Many research studies show that what matters most to a high quality undergraduate experience is whether students engage in a variety of educationally sound activities, inside and outside the classroom,” said Kuh. “Simply put, the more engaging the college, the more students learn.”
That means asking in-depth and heartfelt questions of staff, students and admission counselors on many different subjects.
He suggests the following: How much reading and writing is assigned in the first year? How often do students make presentations in class? How does the college help students learn about different cultures and perspectives? How many students apply what they are learning in class to real-life settings through internships and community service?
“The answers will give students a more realistic basis on which to compare institutions. Equally important, the more often students engage in the activities the questions point to, the more they’ll learn. And finding that out before deciding where to go to college is well worth the effort,” said Kuh.
Stacey Ramsey believes juniors in high school should definitely start their campus visits instead of cramming everything into the fall of their senior year.
“They need to start narrowing it down because many schools have a year in advance application period,” said the associate director for the Office of Admissions at Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal. She suggests that they come during the school year while classes are in session.
“It’s not always easy for families to do. But this way you can see students going to and from classes, and see the hustle, bustle. You can eat in the dining center, go through the dorms when it’s hectic and get a feel of what campus life is really like.”
She tells families to cancel their visit if it is raining or snowing hard.
“You’ll be mad about the weather, and you’ll just see students hurrying under umbrellas or wrapped up in parkas. It’s better for students to have a nice, calm day to take everything in.”
She highly recommends talking with current students. Ask anything about life in the dorms; the quality of classes and professors -- even the quality of dorm food. Ask faculty members and admission staff about costs, financial aid, class expectations, campus activities or anything else.
The first step is to contact the admissions office. They can set the family up with tour guides; packets of information; best times to visit; and information about nearby restaurants or hotels. “You need to investigate things while you are on the campus, such as if it is a suitcase campus. Does everyone leave on the weekends? You need to get the feel of the campus. It’s sad when it’s too late, when you are already a student somewhere and it’s not what you thought it would be,” Ramsey said.
Before going to a campus, read its brochure and web site. Parents and students should put down a list of the questions they want answered.
While at the campus, go beyond just the campus tour. Do some checking out of things by yourself or with your parents.
Make sure to talk to some professors of your chosen major or at least in a subject area that you might want to study. Ask students why they chose that particular college, and what they like about it and what they would want to change. Go to the library, the coffee shop, the bookstore, the sports arena, the recreation or student center, and anywhere else that interests you. Drive around the neighborhoods near the campus. Does it feel safe, comfortable and accessible to students? Are there restaurants and retail stores close enough to campus in case you won’t have a car? Is there enough activity around to keep you busy?
And don’t forget to send a “thank you” back to the school’s admissions office, the professor you talked with or anyone else on campus who helped during your visit.
“It is a simple, but often neglected courtesy that can help you get noticed,” said Martha Holler, a spokesperson for Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provide of education funding. “It is important for students to choose a college where they feel comfortable and have the opportunity to excel academically and personally. When it comes to evaluating schools to select the best fit, nothing beats a first-hand look.”
If getting to the school might be impossible because of money or time, students and parents can click onto www.campustours.com. Hundreds of colleges are listed. Guided tours by students or staff give you the inside and outside looks of universities and colleges. The web site gives a lot of information and photos about the campuses that might help someone decide whether or not to make that personal visit.
