Making The Most Of Your College Or University Tour
A campus tour is very vital in choosing the right college or university for you. Most schools offer a guided tour that informs students and their families about the history of the college, courses offered and sports teams. The tour primarily aims to give prospective students an early feel for the school.
Summer is usually the busiest time for college tours. Many families often go with their teens to visit schools while on vacation. Some, however, prefer to start visiting schools during spring when colleges and universities are still abuzz with students and activities.
During your visit to each school, be sure to attend an admissions-information session to learn more about application deadlines, testing requirements, academic programs and financial packages. This should be done before a campus tour.
Make the most of your campus tour by exploring certain parts of the school and its adjacent neighborhood. You and your parents can hang around at the student center or cafeteria and talk to some teens there. Be sure to visit the library as well to find out how students use them. Read the bulletin boards along the way to give you an idea of the clubs and campus events. An empty board may be a sign of an inactive student body.
Check out the students who attend the college like if they admit bright teenagers. At least you would know if the school offers a challenging education. Speak with some faculty, if possible, to learn about the instructors that you might have.
Scheduling an interview with the admissions staff is also important. Show them that you’re interested because it can make a difference in your chances of obtaining a scholarship.
Some students, who really want to get a personal experience being part of the school, sit in classes or spend a night in a college dorm room. This is also possible as many private schools have formal guest programs at their dorms for seniors.
To many families, summer is the best time to check out the colleges for their teens. However, there are other times when you can do your campus visits like November when students are deciding to apply. March and April are also ideal because these months are when students have already been admitted and must choose what school to attend.
If you can’t make a scheduled campus tour, your next best option is a virtual tour of the school. College websites usually offer campus tours online. Podcast tours are also the latest stuff being offered by some schools.
Parents should enjoy these campus tours with their teens because they need all your support as they are about to enter a new phase in their lives. This is also a good time to bond with each other so grab the opportunity. Get their impression of the schools you visit and compare them with yours. In this way, parents will be able to understand where their teenagers will be most comfortable for the next four years of their college education.