Goal: Plan a College Visit  

Recommended Steps

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  Figure out what kind of college visit meets my needs.

  Are you just beginning to look at schools? Are you trying to narrow down your choices or make a final decision? Once you know the goal of your visit, read the Guide Plan a College Visit to Find My Perfect College, and review the pros and cons of each visit type: open house, group tour, private tour, and specialty event.

  
  
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  Visit the college's website to find information on college visits.

  To find dates of college open houses and specialty events, search college websites under "admissions," "prospective students" or "future students." Or, look up the phone number for the admissions office and speak to a counselor about scheduling a tour.
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  Set a date for my visit.

  Spring break of your junior year of high school is a popular time to visit colleges, and many schools plan special events during the early spring for that very reason. Summers and weekends may not give you the best view of college life.

  
  

  
  Tip : Try to visit colleges on a weekday when classes are in session to get an accurate feel for what campus life is like. Many high schools give juniors and seniors a certain number of excused absences to make college visits.
  
  

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  Make a list of questions before I visit campus.

  Make sure you are ready for your campus visit by taking some time to review the college website and any brochures you have received. Think about what questions you would like to have answered during your visit (read the EduGuide article, "Twenty Questions to Ask During a College Visit (Plus Nine Annoying Questions Your Parents Should Ask", for some ideas) and plan your visit strategy by reading the EduGuide Goal “Find Out What a College Campus is Really Like.”

  
  

  
  Reality Check : It may be easier to have your parents make your college visit plans, but remember, these visits are helping to decide your future, so try and take a leading role in planning them. After all, once you’re in college, mom and dad won’t be handling the planning any more. Get some practice now.