Planning college visits over the upcoming breaks? Don’t miss this!
A key part of deciding which college to attend is finding a good fit. A great way to determine whether a place is a good fit is to visit. Of course, visiting every college on your list will likely be impossible, but if you can make the trip, it’s worth it.
Juniors, think about the ideal characteristics and traits you are looking for in a school (academic environment, social life opportunities, career preparedness opportunities, etc.). Based on the responses you gave in the survey at College Kickoff, you should now have an inventory of characteristics about yourself that will help identify colleges to add to your initial list.
Juniors, think about the ideal characteristics and traits you are looking for in a school (academic environment, social life opportunities, career preparedness opportunities, etc.). Based on the responses you gave in the survey at College Kickoff, you should now have an inventory of characteristics about yourself that will help identify colleges to add to your initial list.
Other questions to consider:
- Do I have family nearby?
- In what type of environment do I thrive?
- Do I prefer urban, suburban, or more rural settings?
- What is the weather like?
- Is attending school overseas an option?
- Where have I visited and fallen in love with the city and region?
Try to tie in college visits to other trips that you and your family may already have planned – vacations, camps, athletic tournaments/showcases, but if you have nothing planned, there is a wide array of colleges to visit that are either near San Diego or an easy drive. If these are your first campus visits, include at least one large state institution, one mid-size and one small in your itinerary, as well as at least one public and one private school. This will help identify the size of school that best fits your personality and learning style.
Once you have a list of schools and you begin your visits, what should you do while there? What vibe do you get from the campus, the people, the classes? Does it offer what you are looking for academically and socially? Are you going to feel comfortable there for the next four years? Remember, it’s going to be your home, not your parents’ or friends’.
Once you have a list of schools and you begin your visits, what should you do while there? What vibe do you get from the campus, the people, the classes? Does it offer what you are looking for academically and socially? Are you going to feel comfortable there for the next four years? Remember, it’s going to be your home, not your parents’ or friends’.
- Allow yourself a minimum of two hours when visiting a campus. Guided or self-guided tours and an information session are the basics of most visits. Certain campuses may allow students to sit in on classes to get a real feel of the academic environment. Because you’ve done your research, you know that the college has the academic program or major that interests you. Find out more; what’s it like to be in a small class versus a lecture hall? Do professors lecture for the entire class, or do teaching assistants (TAs) do the talking?
- In addition, allow yourself time to see the town and the surrounding area. This is where you will be living for four years. Ask questions about both academic and non-academic factors. Which nearby pizza place is the best according to students? Are there any events or activities (concerts, plays, outdoor recreation) that interest me? Are there businesses nearby that may provide internship or research opportunities while I’m in school?
- Do not discount virtual options. Virtual tours (including live and on-demand content), pre-recorded information sessions, interviews, and classes via Zoom are available at many locations. Colleges and universities also put a ton of content into their social media presence; just name it, and they likely have an account. You can go at your own pace, when it’s convenient for you. There is a finite amount of time and energy you and your family have; virtual visits allow you to explore options you cannot see in person.
- Demonstrated Interest (DI) is something that many schools consider. Some universities measure how much engagement and interaction you have with their admission office to determine the level of interest a student has in that particular school, as it can show how eager students are to attend. Ultimately, they try to estimate the likelihood that a student will enroll if admitted. Touchpoints such as tours (virtual or in-person), interviews, attending events (high school visits, college fairs, open houses), and connecting with an ambassador are all considered.
- And finally, keep an open mind. You may have heard great things from a former LJCDS student who is currently attending the college, or maybe you’ve heard some not-so-good things from your mom’s friend’s cousin’s sister. Ask your questions! You won’t know how you feel about the campus unless you make the visit your own.
