The College Visit

The College Counseling Office strongly recommends including campus visits in your college research. Seniors are granted 4 days of excused absence and juniors 2 days of excused absences per academic year for this purpose. A campus visit is the best way to experience a college first hand.

Why visit colleges?

At its best a visit can answer the question: “Can I see myself as a student here?” Sometimes a place just feels right, and students should acknowledge their “gut” instincts. For many students the campus visit may prove a significant step in compiling a college list.

During the campus visit a student can observe the undergraduate population, interactions in the college community, and try to perceive the prevailing spirit of a college. When possible, it is recommended that students sit in on a class or lab, meet with a coach and attend an athletic contest, browse bulletin boards, and speak with current students. A perceptive visitor can learn a lot in just two to three hours, especially if one explores beyond the tour and group information session.

How early should I start visiting?

It is fine to visit a college any time after a student enters high school. These visits should be convenient and appropriate. It is recommended to contact the Admissions Office to sign up for a campus tour and information session. Informal chats with current students are also appropriate. This is not a time, however, for an interview or a discussion of a student’s transcript with an admissions officer. Family discussions should be limited to the college’s programs and facilities. The “getting in” debate should be completely avoided. A sampling of different types of colleges gives the student a good basis for comparison. Dwight-Englewood suggests that students start visiting in earnest during junior year.

When should I visit?

The big question is whether to use the summer or the school year visiting colleges. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Visiting over the summer allows students to see more colleges without missing any school. While enrolled students may not be on campus, tours are typically led by current undergraduates, thus allowing visitors the opportunity to get the “student” perspective. Even if the overall atmosphere of the college is in “summer mode”, it is still a great time to experience the campus and surrounding area. Visiting colleges during the academic year allows students to see a campus “in action” and possibly sitting in on a class or spending the night with a current student.

Most likely, families will use both the summer and the academic year for visiting colleges. Careful planning is key. Take advantage of days off from school. Many colleges are open on some holidays and weekends. Consult the college when making your travel plans. Be sure to use Dwight-Englewood professional days, when only the faculty is required to be at school. Be sure to consider your own calendar and the Dwight-Englewood calendar as far in advance as possible. Planning ahead will make the process easier for everyone involved!

How do I choose what colleges to visit?

We encourage to families to visit colleges as early as their schedule permits. During the spring of the junior year, students meet with their college guidance directors to begin developing a preliminary college list and are available to help families plan college trips.

How do I arrange a college trip?

It is recommended that families call the college’s admissions office directly or visit the college’s website and follow the links to the admissions page to sign up for a tour and information session. Information is readily available about directions to campus, tour schedules and local accommodations. You may also request contact information for a specific coach or department if necessary. Dress with care. While formal attire is not required, neatness counts! Remember, first impressions last.

What should I try to include in a college visit?

An Admissions Office campus tour
Group information session
A personal interview
A visit to at least one class
The opportunity to meet with a faculty member in an area of interest
The opportunity to talk with students in an informal setting
An overnight stay in a residence hall
A meal in one of the campus dining facilities
A perusal of any student publication you might find
Attendance at a social, athletic, or cultural event
Free time to stroll the campus and observe as much as possible. Look at bulletin boards and posters around campus.
Collect as much written information as you can. Take handouts, pamphlets, publications. Grab a copy of the daily or weekly student newspaper.

What should I keep in perspective?

Weather: Try not to let the weather affect your opinion of the college or campus.

Tour guides: They are not all created equally. Do not judge the college population solely on the tour guide.

Location: Make sure to check out the neighborhood around campus. How long did it take you to get to the college from home?

What should I do after the visit?

Write down your impressions of the college in detail while they are still vivid in your mind. What were the things you liked? What negatives, if any, did you find? What further questions do you have? Share these thoughts with a parent. Some students use a personal rating scale by which they rank the colleges they visit.

Write a thank-you (hard copy or email) to the admissions officer and any other college official with whom you spent time. Express your appreciation to the interviewer (if applicable) for the time he or she spent with you, and include any further questions

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