The Art of College Visit

Hey all!
Inspired by one of the juniors texting me frantically at 5 in the morning about a college visit, I decided to do a blog about college visiting. I will give helpful tips on how to ask the right questions, different "optionals" that some might take during a visit (meet with a coach, audition for theater, etc.), and my own thoughts to add to the mix.

1. Best Times for Visits
While some of you won't have as much control over this, what with extracurriculars, school, and money, there are "hotspot" times to visit schools.
-During Uni's spring break, many schools are still in class (they have a different calendar, for example)
-Summer is a good time because you won't miss assignments/games/school days, but the downside is you won't see the school when it's really, well, a school. You also won't get to see a class.
-Days off are excellent, especially if they are days we have off, but the school doesn't (Columbus Day for example, most colleges don't celebrate it!)
-Beginning/Middle of a Uni quarter is usually a great time because there won't be too many assignments you will miss. Avoid visiting schools during crunch time!

2. Scheduling
Many of you have already begun visiting schools, and so know how to schedule. For those who don't, most colleges have an online scheduling system. Unless you are visiting more than one school in a day, I highly recommend scheduling as many activities as you can during the visit. It'll make for a long day, but the experience is invaluable. For most people, that will mean you will have an informational session, a tour, lunch, a class, meeting with a professor, and/or chilling with a current student. Some of you might also use this time to meet with a coach, director, music-y person (lol at my life), or other particular leader, such as a priest or community service director. If the choice of meeting with a particular person is not available on the online scheduling, go ahead and shoot an email to the admissions staff of your school. Don't forget to provide them the particulars of your visit, including day of visit, time of tour/info session, etc. so that they can schedule your meeting with a particular person in a way that doesn't mess up your visit schedule.

3. Dress Code
Here, you want to strike a balance between comfort and dressy. Try to avoid the jerseys, the doorags, the t-shirts with messages on them, drooping pants, midriff-baring, and baseball hats. Jeans are quite okay, and khaki doesn't hurt :]. Shorts are fine too, as long as they aren't too inappropriate in length. Be sure you're comfortable, especially with your shoes--you will be walking a lot!

4. Questions
Okay, here is the crux of my college visit philosophy. There are two kinds of college questions: objective and subjective. While it is important to ask an objective question, many of those can be answered going through their pamphlets/website. To get the most out of your visit, do your research beforehand, and ask the SUBJECTIVE questions. Here is what I mean:
Instead of...
Do you offer (insert major here)?
You ask...
Is (insert major here) a popular major? or What kind of opportunities does this major provide? or On average how many people stick to this major? or What graduate schools/jobs do graduates with this major go to/get?
Instead of...
What club sports do you offer?
You ask...
How many students participate in club sports? or Is it a big part of the social life? or How much flexibility is there in practice/games?
Instead of...
Is there a Pre-Med program?
You ask...
What are popular majors for students in the Pre-Med track? or How does the advising staff work with students on the Pre-Med track?

Pretty much, you are taking objective questions which you probably already know the answers to, and changing them to subjective questions that fit your needs AND help you understand the school on a deeper level.

5. Tours
Well, the tours. Based on the time of your visit and the size of your school, the tour can range in size from just you and your posse, to 20 or so people. Types of people you might run into during your tour:
The Safety Parent: No, they aren't doing the Safety Dance or something like it. They are the parent worried beyond reason about safety. They will ask about cops, escorts, violence, accessibility to campus, accessibility to dorms, parties, drugs, and alcohol. Yes. They will ask about all of it. Their precious child is leaving home, so it is fully understandable. Please bear with it. In fact, tune in to the answers, some of that info is really helpful!
The Parent Full of Questions: 9 times out of 10, their child is the one in the very back, zoning out or texting. The parent is the one actually doing the visit. It is imperative that their child gets into the school. They will ask many questions. They will ask personal or obscure questions ("Johnny doesn't eat olives. How many dishes, on average, do you think serve olives in them?"). A touch of sympathy for these parents is necessary, because they have a kid who is not taking an active role in their college process. Please, seniors, don't be the kid in the back texting. This is YOUR future.
The Stuttery, Nervous Tour Guide: Many tour guides are funny, personable (a few are cute, like the Mario Lopez look-a-like I had one time...I mean what?). But some are nervous, all of them are college students (so they are young and inexperienced), and some just don't remember answers to questions. Some will find themselves repeating the same phrase "This is our new Gym, renovated in 2002, which is really cool. Over there is the main quad, which is really cool." Remember to give them patience, this is a hard job
Old Alums/Weird Parents: Old alums and weird parents have one thing in common. They monopolize. They ask questions, or have anecdotes, or general comments constantly. They will ask about old traditions. If they're youngish, they might ask about professors. They might ask questions that no 20 year old current student would ever know the answer to. Again, patience is necessary. If you have a question, wait for a moment when the parent pauses, then tap the guide on the shoulder and bring the attention to you. Trust me, the guide will be thankful.

A couple more general tips:
-Stay as close to the front as possible, so you can hear the info
-Don't be afraid to ask questions, it might help more than just you
-Avoid texting/phone calls
-Don't ever get caught up with the "Let's see who can care less" game that some fellow visitors might play

6. Meeting with a Professor
This is like a reverse interview. The professor might ask questions like "why are you interested in this major" or your opinions on certain topics relevant to the major. However, you get to ask most of the questions. Ask about classes, projects, internship options, homework load, type of homework (writing vs. reading vs. problems), teaching philosophy, types of books read (especially for humanities/social science classes), why they chose to go into that particular field of study, and expectations. Relax during the conversation! This should be even more natural than the conversation with the admissions counselor because you know going in you at least share one thing in common: interest in the same academic subject! I really enjoyed meeting with the college professor at Knox :D

7. Coach/Audition
If you are meeting with a coach, remember to have your numbers known, or if possible, an official document with your numbers. Ask about the program, expectations, weight lifting/training, practice times and intensity, games, rivalries :], dress code/supplies, level of involvement, and academic requirements (such as minimum GPA in order to be an athlete).
As for an audition, make sure you have the cd, dvd, written monologue, etc. as well as your artistic resume with you before you leave home, and again before you leave the car and/or hotel. Practice a couple of times, but don't over practice. Relax. Get plenty of sleep the night before, because little sleep can make you sluggish, or affect your voice. Be professional and friendly to the people you are auditioning to. Shine, you performer you :D. For particular requirements, be sure to look at your school's requirements.

8. Miscellaneous
-If a Uni alum goes there, don't be afraid to ask about meeting up. I met up with Lizzy Warner during my Knox visit, and it really was helpful.
-If there is something you dislike about the school, record it down before the end of the day, so you remember for your next college visit!
-Ask plenty of questions!
-Be prepared to dislike a school intensely. Conversely, be prepared to fall in love. It happens :]

WHEW. If there is anything I didn't address, but I should have, PLEASE let me know. I want to give as much helpful advice as possible, but this is a two way street.

-Celinda <3