College Guidance > College Search > Visiting A College

Visiting A College

Nothing is a substitute for getting on a college campus and seeing it for yourself.  You can visit in the summer, holidays, spring break or on a weekend and still get a feel for the type of student who attends.  School year weekday trips are possible but remember to choose wisely when and why to miss class - your academic responsibilities remain your first priority.

Make the most of your visit:

  • Test your assumptions.  Do you “know” you want a small school? Check out a larger campus to see its lively offerings.  A city girl? Visit a school in a peaceful rural area.  You may surprise yourself with new responses and preferences.
  • Call the admissions office to make an appointment at least two weeks prior to your visit.  Tell them exactly what you’d like to do, e.g., interview, attend a class, stay in a dorm, eat in the cafeteria, meet with faculty in a specific department.
  • Ask for an individual interview.  Many schools no longer offer one-on-one interviews and will, instead, have you join other visitors in a group information session.  Whether offered an interview or information session, go prepared with thoughtful questions which will allow you to stand out.
  • Whoever is hosting your interview or session, ask to at least meet the admissions officer responsible for Ohio applicants.  Note the name of the admissions counselor you meet and direct all future correspondence to that counselor.
  • Contact the coach of any sport you’d be interested in playing.  E-mail contact is usually the best for this.  Coaches in all divisions have an interest in potential players.  Make arrangements to tour the facilities and talk about the program.

Again, note the name of your contact.

  • Review the college’s website before visiting as well as any information you have received from the college.  Print out this Visiting a College page and the Interview Tips page, and review the information as you travel.
  • Allow enough time to really get a feel for the school.  Don’t schedule more than two colleges in a day.  If you are stressed, you won’t make your best impression.
  • Take along a notebook and record your impressions as soon as you leave and before listening to anyone else’s impressions.
  • Write a thank you note for any interview or meeting.  Make sure to mention something which you discussed during the interview.

 

A Parent’s Role When Visiting a College

  • Brainstorm with your daughter about interview questions and ideas as you travel – if she is open to it.  Use car or plane time to review information regarding the school and explore assumptions regarding its suitability.
  • The student should be the leader on the campus visit.  If possible, take a separate tour.  Defer to the student’s right to define herself in this atmosphere; don’t bother to quarrel about what she wears.
  • Allow the student to attend the interview by herself.  Go to the bookstore and buy some gear, talk with some students on your own or visit with a financial aid counselor.  If it is a general information session, try not to dominate.
  • If your daughter will be applying for financial aid, schedule a visit with the financial aid office. Arrive prepared to ask questions about expectations and treatment of resources, submission of materials, the college’s relationships with lending institutions and the timetables for decisions and actions.  Take notes and be sure to get the name of anyone you speak with.
  • Be pleased that you have brought your daughter to this moment, when she is readying to launch on her own.  Admire her efforts to organize and process all of the information and impressions from the visit.  Allow her to form her own opinions, and express them, before you share yours.