Choosing the right college can be a daunting task. Size, location, and available resources are all factors that need to be considered by prospective students and their families. Taking time to tour a college campus is the best way to get a sense of what it’s like to be a student there. Here are some tips to make the most of your college visits.
Do Your Homework
Before visiting a school, do some research to learn about the programs that are available, the school’s demographics, and campus culture. This will give you a basic understanding of the institution. Even if you’re not quite sure what major you want to focus on, it’s helpful to have a general sense of how the school operates.
Prepare Questions
After doing your research, generate a list of questions you may still have. It can be intimidating to ask questions while on a large group tour, but don’t be afraid to ask your tour guide when the tour concludes. Student tour guides are trained to be able to answer directly or at the very least find an answer for every visitor’s question. So make sure to ask all your questions — others on the tour probably have the same ones.
Compare Notes with Your Parents
Before visiting schools, sit with your parents or guardians and outline the expectations you all have for each visit. While on campus, remember that your favorite school may not be your parents’ top choice, but no decisions need to be made that day. It’s best if everyone keeps an open mind during your time on campus. Later, share what you each learned, liked, and disliked from your visit.
Look Beyond the Classroom
Check the list of Top 200 Colleges for Indigenous Students in the Special College Issue of Winds of Change to get a sense of what support systems for Native students are in place at the colleges you visit. While you’re on campus, inquire about academic assistance, clubs, organizations, and other ways to students get involved. Ask if the school has an AISES College Chapter that supports Indigenous students academically, socially, and culturally, or check the Chapter Directory. You can also find contact information for the chapter advisor and officers in the directory so you can reach out separately to learn more about Native-specific resources and scholarship opportunities and ask any other questions about the school.
Get Digits
Collecting contact information for an admissions counselor or tour guide can be a great way to connect with a school beyond your visit. This provides an avenue to continue to have conversations about certain programs or culture. By staying in touch, you’ll show the school you’re interested, and you’ll receive personal responses and assessments from people in the know.
Picking the right college can be stressful, but there are resources to help you along the way. Make the most of your time on campus by arriving prepared, asking questions, and keeping an open mind. Ultimately, you’ll find success at a school where you feel comfortable and supported, so be honest with yourself and share your feelings with those guiding you throughout the process.
ON TOPIC
Tour guides witness the stress and anxiety of the college admissions process firsthand. They interact with dozens of prospective students and their families on any given day and do their best to inform them about what their college has to offer and how they’ve adjusted to campus life. While guiding people around campus, they engage with visitors, answer questions, and provide as much information as possible. Here are some tips from the student ambassadors who greet families for campus tours.
Take some snaps. Don’t be afraid to take some photos as your walking around campus. They will help you recall your visit once you’re back home.
Go beyond the Admissions team. Do you want to meet other members of the college community? If so, reach out to the Admissions Office before your visit and inquire about meeting with a professor, a student, a coach, or someone from the student support staff.
Sit awhile. Before or after your tour, take some time to sit and relax on campus. Find a spot in the quad, in the library, or in a common area and take it all in. Then ask yourself, “Do I feel at home here?”
Explore the neighborhood. Chances are you won’t want to spend all your time as a student on campus. Check out the area around the college and see what it has to offer. Are there restaurants, shops, or recreation areas nearby?
Ask questions. The campus tour is the best time to learn what the college website doesn’t tell you, so talk to your tour guide. Ask the questions only a current student can answer: Why did you choose this college? What do you do when you’re not in class? How would you describe your fellow students?
