by our College Data Analytics TeamFor most students, the college visit is the most important deciding factor in the college they choose to attend. This makes planning college visits an essential part of the selection process, which should be scheduled early enough to avoid feeling rushed, but late enough to allow your child time to conduct some research beforehand.
It may be beneficial to schedule one or two trips to nearby colleges during your child’s freshman or sophomore year. This early exposure can initiate thoughts about college and kickstart the planning process.
Starting early enables your child to refine their initial list as they gain a clearer understanding of their preferences in a college. It also provides ample time to learn about any special admission requirements or to establish initial contact with faculty or coaches, if applicable.
Some evidence suggests that visiting a college early and frequently can enhance the chances of admission. Admissions officers often track how often a student has visited and interpret early visits as a strong indication of the student’s genuine interest. Students who demonstrate serious interest are more likely to be accepted and may receive better financial aid packages. Early visits allow admissions officers to invest time in your student and assess their fit for the institution.
We recommend conducting the majority of your visits during your child’s junior year, after they have researched what they are seeking in a college. It’s common for a student to “fall in love” with a school during the college tour, so ensure that any school you visit is a good choice for your student, both academically and financially.
Visiting colleges during the summer is convenient, but it doesn’t always provide the most accurate view of the college or university. It’s challenging to gauge how busy the student union becomes or how difficult it can be to navigate the campus between classes. Your student also won’t get an accurate feel for interactions with faculty when fewer students are around.
So, when should you schedule your campus visit? The best time during the week is from Monday to Thursday, when the campus is bustling with students attending classes or socializing.
The optimal season to visit colleges is at the beginning of the fall session, which varies from late summer to early September, depending on the college. Spring can also be ideal, especially for students planning to participate in athletics or considering early application deadlines.
Avoid visiting colleges during:
Visiting a class, especially in your student’s intended major, will provide a glimpse into college life. It may be helpful to attend more than one type of class, such as a lecture, lab, or seminar. This experience allows you and your student to:
Bring a camera and notebook to document details of each visit. You’ll be surprised at how easily details blur after visiting multiple colleges. Create a comparison sheet to record impressions you and your student have about each college.
While it’s important that your child feels comfortable and enjoys their surroundings, it’s even more crucial to ensure they are attending a school where they’ll receive a quality education at a fair price.
Consider going on a virtual tour. Some schools offer virtual tours you can check out before the actual visit to get acquainted, or afterward to refresh your memory.
Begin building a list of good college matches with your student.