Making the Most of Your College Visit

By Mary Grondahl, Vice President of Enrollment, The College of St. Rose - Albany, NY

Leading up to the college search process, students are often advised to find the college that “fits”. Simple concept. To those who say it, perhaps. But, when you’re a student trying to get through the rigors and stress of high school, organizing a process as big as the college search – and trying to find that one college that “fits” can seem an elusive process at best. Daunting at worst. Preparing well for and making some good campus visits can bring much needed calm and clarity to the process.

Getting the most out of campus visits requires some simple pre-planning and just a little bit of organization. In fact, planned well, the visit can and should be one of the most enjoyable parts of the college search process. All it takes is a little advance planning.

When to Visit and Scheduling the Trip

Many students start serious searching in the junior year – a perfect time to do so. Most colleges and universities schedule open houses, group information sessions or campus visit days when college is in session. Visiting a college campus when the semester is in session provides “real-world” and “real-time” views of what it’s like to go there.

Visiting in a group session also allows for some anonymity in the search. Students can step back and let the college do the work of presenting their wares while taking mental (or real) notes of what makes that campus unique.    

With the proper thought and planning, an interview can also be an illuminating experience – for the student and college representatives. Knowing what you want to gain from the interview beforehand will make it the most rewarding experience. If meeting a professor or coach is important in the discovery process, for example, tell the admissions office in advance about your needs and expectations. Professors and coaches are usually teaching or coaching during prime-time interview season. Making advance plans will provide you with a mutually benefitting experience – you learn about the programs from the academic and/or athletic experts and they get to hear your story.

Tips to Maximize the Visit

Do some homework. Reading the college’s materials before the visit takes away some of the mystery of the unknown and can also help you focus on what’s really distinctive about that particular campus. Make a list of what’s important to you. It doesn’t have to be a perfect or complete list. The college search is a journey after all and you’ll learn things along the way. That’s ok.

Schedule your trip like you would any important family outing. Check travel times, campus layout and parking requirements so you’re not late. Nothing can ruin your trip more than feeling like you need to rush through something that should be relaxing and enjoyable.

Try not to over-schedule too many college visits on one day, weekend or holiday. Families are busy. And, it often seems like the perfect strategy to conduct what seem like efficiency tours – visiting four or five college campuses in one weekend. After two or three campuses though, colleges begin to lose their distinctiveness because your mind loses the ability to focus.

Make a few notes about each college after you leave. When you get in the car to head home, right down a few notes that made the campus stand out in your mind. Simple, quick notes will serve you well when you get home and start thinking more seriously about applying.

Finally, keep an open mind. Your first choice college can drop to third place and the third choice can shoot to the top of the list after you’ve visited. Visits allow you to try things on for real size. After awhile, you learn what “fits”.

Mary Grondahl is the Vice President of Enrollment Management at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.  She also currently serves on The National CCAA's Board of Directors.  She can be reached at grondahm@strose.edu.