It's Time To Tour College Campuses
Here is what you should do to prepare:
Participating in a tour sends a message to a college that you are interested. More importantly, if you prepare properly, a visit to a school will provide important information that you will use to craft your final list of schools and also help you to articulate why a particular school and program are a good fit for you. Those are often the most important essays you will write when applying!
Tours also allow you to visualize being a student on that campus. Time and again, I am surprised by students' visceral responses to different school environments. Too big? Too remote? Not urban enough? Not enough places to eat late at night? I have had students make their final decision about a school based on what they ate during their visit!
Here is what I suggest you do before stepping foot on campus:
Do your research. Identify courses and professors who are of interest to you. Look for extracurricular activities that appeal to you.
Send an email to the admissions rep whose territory covers your high school. Let them know when you will visit campus and ask if you can meet with them. If they aren't on campus when you visit, ask them for another admissions contact that you can meet with.
While doing your research, if you pinpoint a faculty member whose work or courses interest you, you can send them an email letting them know when you will be visiting. Ask if they would be willing to meet with you briefly. These faculty members are very busy, and you may not get a response. However, if they are conducting office hours while you are visiting, you can find out when those are and stop by. I think asking a faculty member why they teach at that particular school is a terrific question.
If Admissions offers "optional" interviews, you should try to schedule an appointment when you are on campus. This will allow you to show your interest in the campus by discussing what you have researched.
Schedule a tour of the department you are interested in; don't just take the general campus tour. If a tour of that specific department is not offered, stop by and introduce yourself to someone in the office.
Before you arrive, inquire whether you can sit in on a class. Some schools are happy to let you do so.
Ask the department if you can meet with a student currently in the program you are considering.
Pick up a copy of the student newspaper while you're on campus. It generally offers an uncensored take on the issues facing students and the college.
After your formal tour, walk around campus and talk to students. Ask them about their experience with registering for classes, the dorms, student support services, and anything else they want to discuss. Most students who see someone touring the campus on their own are happy to stop and talk about their life on campus.
Eat in the food court and see what you think of the food they provide for their students.
Stop by the student union.
Write down the names of any admissions officers your meet or current students you are introduced to. You should send them a note thanking them for their time once you get home.
After doing your initial research, you should plan what questions you will ask of either your tour guide, an admissions representative, or a faculty member. Here are some suggestions:
What is the student-to-faculty ratio in their classes?
How flexible is the curriculum? Can I design my own program? Can I take classes outside of my major?
What percentage of your students return after their freshman year? Sophomore year?
Are career services offered to help students develop the knowledge, experience, and skills to build and sustain a professional practice and become successfully employed?
How does the school support internships?
What performance opportunities are there on campus for a performance major?
What type of studio space will I be assigned? How often do you update your technical equipment?
How do they promote their graduates to the industry?
Where are their alums? What are they doing now?
How would you describe a student who has been successful in your program?
Be creative in scheduling tours to maximize your time and reduce travel expenses. If possible, do not schedule more than two tours in one day. Do not just show up on campus. Registering for an official campus tour is important and will put you in their "system” and on their radar. Take advantage of this important opportunity to discover if a particular school and program has what you are looking for!
If you are just beginning your journey to discover the best college for you, take a look at:
How Do I Create My College Application List?
College Admissions and the Crystal Ball: what leads to success?