How to Get the Most from Your College Admissions Visit

One of the biggest challenges in the lives of college-bound students is figuring out exactly what college will be the best fit for them. All the colleges will provide slick materials with attractive young people playing guitar under trees, but the best way to find the right place for you is to visit the campus in person. Here are some ideas about getting the most from your visit.

Figure out what's important to you before you leave home. Make a list of things you want to look for and questions you want answered. It's hard to remember when you're involved in the excitement of a new place.

Schedule an interview. Try to visit when classes are in session, even though it might be easier to get time off during breaks and summer. This will give you an opportunity to talk to real live students and attend a class or two.

Experience what life is like. Try to spend a day or two if you can. Visit some dorm rooms. Are three or four people jammed into a room meant for two people? Have lunch at the cafeteria. Are the vegan offerings decent? Can you just get a PB&J sandwich if you want? Are there places on campus to get snacks at hours that the cafeteria isn't open?

What do people do for fun? If you're not a partier and everyone gets drunk on the weekends, this might not be the place for you. If you're from far away and everyone leaves on the weekend, you might be very lonely.

Explore the area around the college too. Everyone can get a little stir-crazy, and it's nice to be able to get off campus for fun and resources.

Talk to people. Think beyond your tour guide. The guide is a great resource, but they're not there to criticize the school. The guide isn't likely to give you direct misinformation, but she might whitewash things a bit. Students just hanging out are more likely to be upfront.

Sadly, some colleges play down safety issues. Talk to people and try to get some statistics. Find out what kinds of safety precautions (walks home or self-defense training, for example) the college offers. Is the campus well-lit at night?