College Visits

Hey girlies! I hope everyone is enjoying their spring so far! I know that many of the high school sophomores and juniors (especially juniors) are currently scouting out colleges that they will be applying to in their senior year. Senior girls: by now you would have had to make your choice already, so congrats to you on that major decision! Today's post is going to be focused on college visits, and how to tackle them. If you are planning on visiting multiple schools this summer, you may become overwhelmed by the vast amount of information, numbers, and statistics that will be thrown at you by each school. It becomes easy to lose track of which school had the Division II football team and which had the Biochemistry major once you have been to more than five schools in one weekend! Here are a few helpful tips and important questions to ask when visiting a college campus.

3 Helpful Tips:

1. Narrow down your choices by only scheduling visits with schools you are absolutely sure you are considering. By visiting random schools you are wasting your time, as well as the time of your parents and family members! Go online to sites like CollegeBoard and Unigo to search for schools that match your interests and needs. Once you have compiled an online list of 5-10 schools, go visit those places.

2. Dress in layers. Yes, this sounds silly, but in the last two college visits I went on I experienced two very different weather conditions! The two schools I saw were in the same state, so I wasn't expecting such a change! One was breezy and sunny, and the other was bitter cold and hailing. Pack an umbrella, and make sure to wear a light jacket even if the weather reports look good. Comfortable (but cute) shoes are also recommended, as you will be doing lots of walking on the tour.

3. Come prepared, and bring a small bag or tote to carry your belongings in. I brought my Longchamp with me to both campuses, and I thought it was very useful to have a bag on me. You will be collecting flyers, pamphlets, business cards, notebooks, and sometimes even collegiate tokens from the bookstores, so it's really helpful to have somewhere to put everything. Also, bringing your own pen and notepad to take notes during information sessions isn't a bad idea.

10 Important Questions To Ask:

1. What is the average class size of introductory classes vs. upper-division classes?

2. What is your graduation rate?

3. What kind of dorm choices will I have?

4. What is the average college debt that students leave with?

5. What kind of financial aid/scholarships do you offer and how can I be eligible for them?

6. How many students get internships?

7. What percentage of students study abroad?

8. How do you provide academic advice/tutoring/counseling to students?

9. What unique factors can set you apart from other schools?

10. Can I get in contact with a current student or faculty member to ask further questions?

Get involved, be proactive, do your detective work, and have fun! College hunting is meant to be an exciting and enjoyable experience for you and your family :)

XX,

Vina