Link to College Visit Form
Students must pick up a College Visit Form from the High School Office or the Counseling Office. This form must be taken to the college/university the student plans to visit and have a college official fill out their name, official title and signature on the form. Parents must also fill out this form with their student's name, college or university being visited, date and day of visit and their name and signature. Student returns the form to the front high school office the day after they return from their visit.
Plan Ahead Know Before You Go
It may be just a "day out of school" as you head out to campuses, but you will get more out of your visits if you plan ahead.
Research the College
It's important to know something about the college before you arrive on its campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled.
- Review the view books, course catalogs, and any other materials the colleges have available in the Counseling Office or information sent to you.
- Spend some time surfing their website.
Talk to currently enrolled students or alumni about their college. Some college websites let you contact them on line, or you can get their contact information from their admissions office.
Schedule Your Trip
Pick a time that's convenient for you, but try to go when classes are in session. If you can sit in on a lecture or stay in a dorm overnight you will get a true feeling for the campus.
To make sure you have time for everything you want to do, schedule your time on campus.
- Find out how often college tours run and find out if you need to sign up in advance.
- Get a map of the school. You don't want to spend half of your day trying to park or find the admissions office.
- If you are curious about a club, program, or a sport, arrange to attend a rehearsal, a practice, or a meeting.
- If you want an interview, make an appointment. Consider meeting with the financial aid officer.
Pack a Camera and Notebook
To help you remember what you've seen and who you talked to take pictures and good notes. You think you'll remember everything, but you will be surprised how colleges start to merge after you have seen a few.
What's Important to You?
Make a list of what's important to you. What college characteristics are most important? Do you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall? Check out the class size. Do you have your heart set on joining a sorority or fraternity? See what Greek system is like on a campus. What major that you want to pursue? Talk to students or professors in that department. Make a list of your preferences. Take this list to the schools that you plan to visit and compare them when you get back home.