College visits are probably the most fun part of the overall college application journey. When it comes to deciding where to obtain your degree, it is important to make sure the campus will feel like home! If possible, try to visit every college you are strongly considering. No website, picture, guidebook, virtual tour, or quote from an alum can give you a better feel for a school than you will get by personally walking on campus. I know countless people, myself included, who have changed their minds about their top schools after visiting campus. Let me tell you, it’s best to decide on a school before you’re already enrolled. Here are a few tips on making the most of your college visits:
1. Talk to students and faculty
When you tour campus, don’t be afraid to ask the opinion of students other than your tour guide! Questions like “why did you choose this school?” and “what do you like best about going here?” are great ways to start a conversation and get a real feel for how the student body views campus life. Also try to arrange times to speak with a professor from your potential area of study. Go ahead and start building your support system of familiar faces. You’ll thank yourself later!
2. Attend a class
While the campus tour is a great way to get a feel for campus, sitting in on a class gives you an inside perspective on your major! Most professors, especially here at SWU, would love to have you join in on a class session. This way, you already have experience in the classroom and know what to expect.
3. Take notes
Trust me, you will not be able to remember everything during your campus visit; so make sure you take notes! Whether it’s information about financial aid, help from your admissions counselor, or advice from students or faculty, copy it down so you have it handy later on. There’s going to be a lot of information shared during a campus tour; but if you take notes, you can spend less time trying to remember that scholarship package and more time taking in the campus scenery.
4. Don’t judge too quickly
Try to give every school you tour an equal chance. Approach every tour with an open mind. Take the time to think about every aspect of every school. Ultimately, stay calm and remember that God has your best interests in mind. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
These are just a few tips of how to get the most out of your college tours. But my last tip is this: just have fun! While the informational meetings and financial aid sessions can seem grueling, take it all in! Try to find joy in every step on the path in your journey to college. It’s a really special and exciting time in life and you want to make the most of it.
Ready to schedule your campus visit? Click here for information about visit options at SWU.
