7 signs to look for when you visit a college
As the time to choose a college approaches, you’ll probably want to visit as many schools as possible to get a feel for which one is the best fit for you. But sometimes, visiting a school is more of a distraction than an answer. After all, the tour guide is bound to show you the nicest dorm rooms (which you probably won’t have a chance of getting), but will she tell you which professors are the human equivalent of NyQuil?
To get the true scoop on college life, it’s important to get beyond the tour script and ask the tough questions.
When you go, here’s what you’ll want to check out to see if the school’s worth applying to.
Sit in on a class
Don’t just take the tour guide’s word that the professors are fantastic—go sit in on a class in a field that you’re interested in, and find out for yourself. You’ll probably need to get the college admissions office’s approval to sit in on a course, but they should be able to help you find one that coincides with your visit, if your tour is during the regular school year. Check out www.ratemyprofessors.com to find out what regular students think of your lecturer.
Find out what students do for fun
Is most of the activity focused on-campus or off? Is the Greek scene a big part of campus life? Does the whole campus go crazy for football, or do the students seem more artsy and independent? Depending on your interests, you’ll want to make sure that the school has what you need to thrive socially.
How’s the food?
OK, maybe it’s not the most important thing, but you’ll be eating food from the college cafeteria every day for at least your first couple of years, so you’ll want to make sure it’s edible. Take a swing by the cafeteria for lunch to try it for yourself.
What sort of sports and outdoor activities can you take part in?
If you love to run, take a look at the track. If swimming’s your thing, you’ll want to check out the pool facilities—and if you love mountain biking, then see how far you are from nearby trails and how easy they are to get to. Some schools in beautiful areas, such as Colorado College, offer students the chance to take outdoors excursions every weekend. If you’d be interested, ask a student who’s attended one of the events about what it’s like.
How’s the library?
You’ll probably be spending plenty of time there, especially during finals week. Is it well stocked? Is it quiet and comfortable enough to study in? Take a look at the students there—if they all seem incredibly stressed, it may not be the best place to spend four years of your life.
What’s off campus?
At some schools, you’ll have enough to do that you’ll rarely want to leave campus—but when you do, what will you find? Is the college located in an interesting city with lots of cheap restaurants and nightlife options? Or are you an hour or more from any place worth seeing? While location isn’t everything, it can play a big part in your college experience, so it’s worth considering. (Check out our list of great college towns for some ideas of places to consider applying.)
How easy is it to get home?
Obviously, this isn’t something to ask your campus tour guide—you’ll answer this question yourself when you make the trek there. If getting back and forth between home and the dorm seems like a huge hassle, it may not be the best place to set up shop for four years.
Visit www.mycollegeguide.org for more tips and information about college planning.
