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The College Visit

What you should know...
Before I go?  |  When I get there?  |  After my visit?
Current College Visit Schedule [Here]

The college visit can be very important - but it also takes time and it may take some money, too.  You may want to wait until you've narrowed your choices down to fewer than five schools.  In the meantime, think about visiting colleges located nearby.  You may not want to attend those schools, but the small city college near your home will give you at least some idea of whether you might like a college in that kind of setting, so it is a good test.  Then find the nearest mid-sized and large colleges, or rural and city colleges, and visit them, too.  Which do you prefer?  This is one way to learn a lot about college life in general without traveling more than an hour or spending a lot of money.
 
When you're ready to visit specific schools, be sure you plan your visit so you can talk to an admissions officer.  Try to go when school is in session, so you can see how the campus feels and looks to you with the students around, preferably a Monday through Friday.  And go to at least one class!  After all, it's the classes - not the buildings - that are the most important thing about college.
 
What should I do before I go?

• Plan the visit with your parents, notify your grade office at West if you will need a planned absence, make arrangements and set up interviews with the college.  Ask your high school for an unofficial transcript you can bring with you.  If possible, bring your parents along to help give you some support, point out things you might miss, and ask questions about finances.  The message to colleges is that parents are involved and supportive; that's why they've chosen to accompany their child, and not because he/she's dependent on them.
• Make appointments to see the financial aid officer, admissions officer, or the coach of a sport you might want to play.
• Make arrangements to stay with a student overnight, if possible.  And make every effort to go to a class or two.
• Think about why you've chosen to look at the college so you can ask questions that are important to you, especially about your chosen field of study.  You don’t have to be sure about your major field, but be prepared to discuss your interests and strengths.
• Be ready to discuss your goals, what you can offer this college, and what makes you a special person.

What should I do when I get there? 

• Take the college tour; look into dorms, classrooms, and labs; and examine the buildings and the grounds. Are the facilities in good condition?  Are the labs well equipped?  How about the libraries and sports facilities?  Are the dorm rooms adequate?  Do you have the dorm choices you want, such as co-ed or single sex?  Are there clubs you would like to join?  Would the climate suit you?
• Look around at the students.  Do they smile and greet you?  Do you see the diversity mix that makes you feel comfortable?  Is the campus too quiet?  Too liberal?  Too conservative?
• Look carefully at the social life and don't be afraid to ask students about it.  Are there too many or too few fraternities/sororities?  Is there too much or too little partying? While you're in class, think about whether the academic atmosphere meets your own list of personal preferences.  Is the class too big or too small?  Do the students seem interested?  Are they participating or are they sleeping during class?
• Think about the location  Is it right for you?  Would you rather be nearer to a city or farther away?  Are there cultural activities available that you’d like?  Will you be able to travel home as often as you’d like?-The campus interview  Should you be interested in interviewing with an admissions counselor, you may obtain helpful information from your high school guidance counselor prior to your visit.
• Other checkpoints -- Faculty members can be counted on for candid opinions, too.  A key question that will get right to the heart of what an instructor thinks of the college is this:  Would you send your son or daughter here?

What should you do after my visit? 

• Analyze your feelings.  Make notes to remind yourself what you liked, didn’t like, what you were not sure about, and what questions you still have.  You may choose to write a thank you note to everyone who gave his or her time to you.