The Summer College Campus Visit

I'm often asked, "What should we be looking for when we visit a campus?" The long answer to that question is unique to each student, as different as you are from every other candidate. But a few common objects can be considered by everyone to focus your attention and sharpen your judgment. Every summer visit should include #1 - #3 below, and as many more as possible:

1. A "Personal Interview", if the school offers them before application, or a "Group Information Session" if it does not. Be sure to get the interviewer's business card.

2. A "Campus Tour", led by a student. This should always include a freshman dormitory; a large lecture hall, a typical seminar room, and a lab; the recreational athletic facility; the studio and performing arts facilities; the dining facilities (have breakfast, lunch, or a snack there if you can); the student union; the library; and anything else the college really wants you to see. If any of these is not included, find out how to see it later on your own. Your guide should also offer plenty of talk along the way about campus life. You should feel free to ask plenty of pointed questions.

3. A look around the neighborhood, on your own. Get a feel for the area surrounding the campus, the nearness or distance of things important to you which a campus doesn't provide (whether that's trails for a saddle horse or malls for a clothes horse), the town, the city, or the countryside.

4. A talk with a professor in your area of specific academic interest, if that's relevant to you at this stage. This may or may not be possible in the summer, but it never hurts to ask.

5. A meeting with a coach of your intended varsity sport, if you're an athlete who plans to play in interscholastic competition. This may only happen after July 1st, the first day when NCAA rules permit a coach to talk with a prospective recruit.

6. A look at the student newspaper. Even in the summer, these should be around. You'll be surprised at what they can tell you about campus life.

7. Pictures. Your or a parent should take a few shots of buildings and anything which strikes you as unique or interesting about this particular campus. They can really help your memory weeks or months later. If you don't use a Polaroid-type camera, make sure you can tell which shots go with which college when they're developed.

8. Notes. As soon as you depart, write down your impressions of your tours and talks. Later, fill out one of our evaluation sheets, to help you compare colleges when your visits are complete.

9. Thanks. Hand-write a thank-you note to your interviewer (or, if none, your tour guide or anyone you spoke with personally.). This is standard procedure but, trust me, it makes a very positive impression (especially if you get his/her name right). The student must write these, not the parent.

10. Finally, "Trust your gut". This little cliche captures a vital intangible factor in the campus visit. Many students possess a sixth sense about campus environments, and can often "feel" that a place is or just isn't right for them, even if they can't quite explain why. You must understand that no place will be "perfect". (If you think one is, you're in for serious disappointment when you get there and reality sets in.) Compromises will have to be made, but only you, the person who will spend four years of your life there, can decide whether this school can or cannot be a comfortable, challenging home for you and a firm foundation for your dreams. The campus visit is your best chance to see, hear, and "feel" what you need to make that decision.