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College Tour Tips
By Lisa Mann
It’s that time of year; the sun is shining, the flowers are
blooming, and–if you’re lucky—glossy college brochures addressed to
your college-bound high school junior are starting to arrive in the
mail.
Choosing a college based only on a brochure or website is like
choosing a mail order bride—only, given today’s college costs,
perhaps a bit more expensive.
You won’t know until you go
The only way to test drive a campus is to visit it. That’s why the
family vacation college visit tour has become something of a right
of passage for high school students. Here’re some tips on planning a
trip that the whole family will enjoy—and one that will help your
student make one of the biggest decisions of their life.
Your road map
Planning is essential. Most admissions offices suggest making
appointments at least two weeks in advance. You’ll cram in
appointments with admission and financial aid officers, campus
tours, exploring the community, and enough family fun time along the
way so that the trip doesn’t seem like a punishment for
college-worthy grades.
And—here’s the trickier part—you’ll want your child to be involved
in planning the trip.
Where to go
Your student should choose their top few choices from the colleges
they can reasonably hope to get into. You can’t comfortably visit
more than 3 to 5 college visits in a week—save the long shots for a
visit after acceptance (but before you put your money down).
When to go
Most college admission officers suggest visiting in late spring of
junior year, when classes are in session. Realistically, that is
often the most difficult time for families to go—missing school late
in the term is rarely recommended during for juniors (or their
siblings).
Spring break is a popular time to visit—particularly if your spring
break doesn’t coincide with the college’s break—but admissions
office are swarmed then, so advance planning is even more vital.
Summer is a more relaxing time to visit, but it may be hard to find
professors or admission officers, and your son or daughter will have
to visualize the campus crowded with students. September or October
of senior year can be ideal, if your kids can afford to miss some
school.
Planning checklist
As soon as you’ve chosen the dates of your trip, contact the
admissions offices of each campus. Schedule an appointment with an
admission officer and a tour of the campus.
Schedule an appointment with a financial aid officer if you will be
applying for financial aid. They see far fewer students in person,
and may be able to create a more comprehensive aid package if
they’ve gotten to know your child.
If your child has chosen a major, call that department and ask to
for appointment with a professor—or even a student majoring in that
subject.
Go online and see what events are happening at the time of your
visit—if your student is an athlete, see if there will be a game on
campus; if they’re a drama geek—look for evening performances. This
will give your child the chance to really explore what campus life
is like, and will help your vacation seem more vacation-like.
Finally, call the Convention and Visitors Center for the community
the University is in. Ask about nearby family attractions or events,
hotels near campus, and special deals or coupons.
On campus
In addition to the official tour, schedule some time to wander the
campus on your own. Take the time to talk with students, and eat in
the student union or cafeterias.
“It’s important to get a glimpse of college life beyond the
information presented in group sessions,” says Marlyn McGrath Lewis,
the Director of Admissions for Harvard College.
“Try to chat with the student guide if there is one, asking why she
or he choose Old College—and how the experience has compared with
expectations. Try to get a sense of how students spend non-academic
time.”
In the dorms
Many colleges allow prospective students to spend the night in a
dorm. It’s a great way to get a feel for campus life. Ask when you
set up the admissions interview about overnight stays.
If you’re visiting during the summer, consider dorm rooms for the
whole family. Many colleges rent empty dorm rooms to the general
public during the summer session. Accommodations may be spartan but
they can be surprisingly affordable—$18 -$60 a night even in major
metropolitan areas--and often include use of the sports facilities
and laundry rooms. The Admissions Office may not be able to make
those arrangements. Try asking for the Housing Office, the Summer
Conferences Department, or even the Treasurer’s Office.
Keep it fun
Plan a few fun activities, and allow time to talk about each campus
before you get to the next one. By the end of the week, the details
will start to blur together. A relaxed conversation over dinner or
by the pool can help cement the impressions—and taking notes won’t
hurt. If you can’t do it any other way, put your high school student
in the front seat on the drive between campuses and hold the iPod
hostage. |
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