When your child’s dream college is across the country, it may not be possible to sit in on a class, eat in the cafeteria, and hang out in a dorm room. But your teen can still get a good idea of what the campus is like by taking a virtual college tour.
Thanks to the Internet, it has never been easier to check out prospective colleges online. And prospective students will find more than an online version of the college brochure. Tell your teen to look for the following on the Web sites of the colleges under consideration:
- Slide shows
- Video tours
- Interviews with students and faculty
- Webcams
- Audio clips
Want more? Your teen can search for college information, videos, and student and alumni groups on the following:
There are also Web sites designed to provide future students with a virtual glimpse of hundreds of colleges and universities. Your child can check out tour videos, maps, photos, interviews, and more on these sites:
Finally, if you have questions, you or your child can e-mail someone at the college. On most college Web sites, you can find e-mail addresses for admissions counselors, financial aid representatives, professors, and occasionally students and alumni. Most will be happy to answer questions from you or your teen. Some college Web sites have live chat features where prospective students can converse with a college staff member through instant messaging.
You can also suggest that your child visit the Web site for the community in which a college is located. Convention and visitors’ bureaus and city Web sites describe the restaurants, entertainment, and future employers that are close to campus.