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The campus Visit. What is a tour? What should you see? What questions should you ask?. A Tour Defined. Get a first hand view.
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The campus Visit What is a tour? What should you see? What questions should you ask?
A Tour Defined • Get a first hand view. • Websites, brochures, videos, and recruitment conversations are meant to put the college’s best foot forward. One of the best ways to determine the integrity of the institution you are considering is to see whether or not the impressions being created by the promotional material actually match up with your in-person experience. • Tour options. • Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay, from a casual guided tour to a formal presentation or interview. Be sure to ask how long the whole visit will take so you can know what to expect. • Explore on your own. • Take a good, close look at what’s shown to you. Of course you should take the official campus tour, but be sure to allow time to poke around on your own. The trained tour guides will show you a school's selling points. But the oldest and prettiest buildings don't give you the entire picture of a college, nor does the one dorm room that was manicured for visitors. Try to walk the extra mile and get the complete picture of the campus.
Stuff to Look For • Read Bulletin Boards • Eat in the Dining Halls • Visit a class in your major • Talk with lots of students • Take Pictures and Notes • Upkeep of grounds • Condition of buildings • New construction • Faculty offices • Athletic and Fitness Facilities • Residence Halls • Campus Libraries • Bookstore
Questions to ask • What are the best reasons to go to this college? • What’s it like to go from high school to college? • What do you do in your free time? On the weekends? • What do you love about this college? • What do you wish you could change about this college? • Why did you choose this college? • What is it like to live here?
The Campus Interview: Smile, Be yourself, and make eye contact. Why interview? What to Expect? Tips
Why interview? • Show your interest in the college. • Share information about yourself beyond what’s listed on your transcript. • Bring up anything in your record that you’d like to explain, like a temporary drop in your grades. • Discuss your goals and the reasons you want to attend the college. • Ask questions about the college.
What to Expect…..The Big Three • Why do you want to attend this college? If you have done your research this should be easy! • What’s Your Story? Talk about your family, your school (grades, favorite classes or activities) • What Questions Can I Answer for You? This is important! This is about as close as you will come to a trick question. Don’t dismiss this. Ask questions! Make sure you are prepared. BE CONFIDENT!
Top 10 Things to Do in an Interview • Arrive early. Smile. • Greet the Interviewer with a Firm Handshake. Introduce your Parents. • Be polite. Listen carefully. • Use Your Notes and/or Take Notes if You Wish • Speak Directly to the Interviewer. Have a conversation. Don’t try to memorize a script. • Be confident but not arrogant. • Talk about your interests outside of school, your family, your goals. • Ask questions. Do express your interest in the college. • And the Number One Thing To Do in Every Interview: Be Yourself! • Send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Thank the person for his or her time and refer to something specific we discussed.
Questions, Questions, Questions Pitfalls to avoid Things to remember
When Not to Go • Colleges are not in session during: • Thanksgiving weekend • Christmas week • Winter and spring breaks • Summer, unless there is a summer session • College classes don’t meet during: • Reading period • Exam weeks • Saturdays and Sundays • The admission office may be closed to visitors at certain times. • For example, admission officers may be too busy to meet with you in May and April — that’s when they’re reviewing applications. Check with the college.
Things to Remember • Ultimately, it's your decision. Listen to your gut. • Do you feel comfortable walking around campus? • Do you feel at home? • Do you click with the students and faculty? • Is this what you imagined college to be like? • Spending time on a campus helps you determine whether a college is a good fit.