10 Things We Leaned From Videotaping 1,200 College Tours

For a decision that means four years of a life and perhaps $200,000, you want all the information and impressions you can get.

Don’t visit during the summer
Although summer might be the most convenient time to make such excursions, it is the worst time to experience a college; most smaller schools are not in session, so students and classes are absent. Dorm rooms are empty and devoid of all personal touches, making it difficult to envision oneself there. Bulletin boards, usually so revealing of the cultural and social opportunities of the college, are bare.

When planning a visit, call ahead
Schedule a student guided campus tour. Walking around unescorted permits only seeing a group of buildings. The tour fills in the details that give each school its humanity. Many smaller schools will record your name when you schedule a tour. The benefit is that they will often hold up a tour for a few minutes if you are running late.

Schedule a meeting with an admissions officer and financial aid officer
A number of colleges provide an information session by an admissions officer either before or after a tour. If you are seeking financial aid, meet with a financial aid officer as well. Inquire about this when you first contact the Admissions Office. Try to schedule it after the tour and information session, so you can speak knowledgeably about their school with relevant observations and questions.

If you have a special request, ask before going
The colleges are anxious to accommodate prospective students. If the student has a special request such as meeting a department chairperson, conferring with a coach, sitting in on classes, or staying overnight on campus, the Admissions Office will make the necessary arrangements provided they have sufficient advance notice.

Give yourself plenty of time
Assume it is going to take longer to find the campus and park than a map suggests. Make sure to drive around the outskirts of the campus before starting back. This could be the student’s home for the next four years; the surrounding neighborhood can make a difference. If the school is in a small town, is there a major city within a convenient drive? If not, does that really matter to the student?

Dress appropriately
The whole family should wear comfortable shoes. You will probably be doing a lot of walking both up hills and up stairs. Dress neatly. If the student is scheduled for an interview, he/she should dress for the interviewer, not for oneself. It is human nature to judge people by their appearance, so an opinion is forming about the applicant before a word is said.

Be observant
A college tour gives you a chance to see what is on the campus, what condition it is in, and what is missing. Is there an attractive and functional student center?  Is the campus wireless, so your computer can work online outside? How are the dorms kept up? Is the library adequate? Check out the physical education facilities. Are the playing fields a part of the campus or a distance away? Where are the dorms in relation to the main academic buildings?

Ask questions
The tour is also the best time to ask questions of someone who is both knowledgeable and candid. Guides will entreat families to do so, as they do not enjoy providing a one hour monologue. They are obviously pleased with the school (or they would not be giving the tour), but they are invariably honest about the drawbacks along with the positives. And remember that you are there to evaluate the school, not the tour guide. Make sure you ask relevant questions that apply to your experience: Greek life, study abroad, athletics, tutoring, faculty advising, campus life on the weekends, course recommendations, etc.

Visit a diverse sampling
If you are beginning your search, try to visit a large state university, a smaller university, and some liberal arts colleges with 1,000 to 3,000 students. Applicants frequently alter their preferences after visiting a range of sizes.

Don’t let distance inhibit your choices
If the family finances allow it, don’t let distance from home inhibit your choices. The United States has an extraordinary diversity of schools, and the college experience can be the best four years of your life. After you have made new friends, you will be amazed how the desire to come home diminishes.

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