Writing Effective Essays



The All-Important College Visits

There is no better tool for helping your search and selection efforts than actually visiting a college campus in session. Over and over again we hear stories about college visits that totally changed a student’s opinion about the college. There is simply no better way to get a true feel for the atmosphere, student body, campus and general environment. Almost every college has a program for visitation, and their website will tell you how to go about it. Some are impersonal group tours, which are very valuable. Other colleges take appointments for more personal tours. Try to visit when school is in session. Sophomore and junior year are excellent times to start visiting different campuses. What a great use of your Spring Break! There is almost always a “visit us” web page off the main admission site of the college. To set up a visit, check on-line to see what is available. Some colleges allow you to reserve tours or visits on-line. Otherwise call the admissions office and make an appointment. See if there are options to visit your areas of interest, talk to professors, stay overnight in a dorm, etc. Once you have an appointment, take time to prepare for the visit and determine what you want to accomplish.

Here is an interesting video as to when best to schedule your visit:



and they also have a good visit guide section:



We also like these tips for making your visit as meaningful as possible:



The most valuable campus visits are those where both the student and the college get a sense of whether the match is worth pursuing. Many visits fall short of this goal because prospective students and parents don't ask the right questions and end up settling for the information that institutions routinely provide in a somewhat “canned” fashion. Does it really matter how many books are in the library? Or how many faculty members have Ph.D.s (After all, that doesn’t mean they can teach well.)? Or how many stair-step machines are in the recreation center? Students can be surrounded by impressive resources, but not use them, or rarely encounter classes or other activities that truly lead to the skills and competencies they need to survive and thrive after college.

A high quality undergraduate experience results when the student engages in a variety of educational activities, inside and outside the classroom. Likewise, the more students practice and get feedback on their writing, analyzing, or problem solving, the more adept they become. And the more experience they have with people from different backgrounds, the more sensitive, comfortable and effective they will be when working with such people. In summary, the more the college “engages” the student, the more the student learns and the more fulfilling the college experience is for them.

Surprisingly, students hear almost nothing about learning or levels of engagement when they visit campuses. But they can find out by asking certain questions of tour guides, admissions staff, faculty members, and currently enrolled students. Here are some questions that you won’t see on the typical “questions lists” but that get at some of the deeper issues.

• How much reading and writing is assigned in the first year?

• What are the assignments like more challenging than boring?

• How often do students make presentations in class, or meet with faculty members outside of class?

• Are students encouraged to work together to solve problems or work on projects?

• In what ways is information technology used in the classroom?

• How does the college help students learn about different cultures and perspectives?

• Who do students talk with about career plans?

• What about internships and community service?

• How many students participate in honors courses, learning communities, and work with a faculty member on a research project?

These are the kinds of questions that can reveal matters of educational substance and style, and that thereby reflect the educational quality of a college. The answers will give students a more realistic basis on which to compare institutions. Equally important, the more often students engage in the activities that these questions get at, the more they'll learn; and finding that out before deciding where to go to college is well worth the effort.

In addition to evaluating the potential for obtaining the best possible education, a “good fit” in other areas is important too. When you visit, evaluate these criteria as well:

• atmosphere and culture

• school spirit, pride, involvement

• student union and other facilities

• library and research areas

• dorms and eating areas (Sample the food!)

• extra-curricular activities

• sports

• transportation and parking

Here are some additional questions that you may want to choose from. Of course, the various factors must be weighted appropriately for your needs and desires.

Questions to Ask Your Prospective Colleges

A sampling of these questions would be appropriate to ask at college visits, fairs, interviews, or any other opportunities you have to talk to college representatives. Highlight the questions that are most relevant to your situation.

Questions about Admission Policies

What high school courses do you require?

What tests are required? What range of scores typifies your admitted students?

What grade point average and class rank are typical of your admitted students?

What emphasis is placed on extracurricular activities?

Do you offer Early Decision or Early Action?

If yes, what are the deadlines and what is the commitment?

Do you accept Letters of Recommendation?

Are personal interviews offered? How do you obtain them?

Are any majors impacted such that they have additional admission requirements?

What percent of applicants do you accept? Is there a waitlist? An appeals process?

Questions about the College or University

Where is the college located? Is the setting rural, urban, suburban, beach, etc.

What is the community like? College town? Relationship with the community?

Is the college public or private? Does it have a religious affiliation?

What is the current enrollment? Of that, what percent live on campus?

Are there any special programs offered?

Does the college have a particular program it is known for or ranked in?

If considering transferring, ask about transfer opportunities and requirements.

Questions about the Student Body

Where do the majority of students come from?

How is the Greek System (sororities and fraternities) perceived? (if applicable)

What percent of students join?

What role does athletics play in campus life? Are there NCAA sports? Intramural?

How would you characterize the student body? Diverse? Affluent? Cliquish? Relaxed?

How would you characterize the school in terms of school spirit?

Politically would the school be characterized as liberal or conservative?

Degree of emphasis on social life vs. academic?

Questions about Academics

What is the average class size? Ratio of professors to students?

What percent of classes are taught by TAs vs. professors?

What percent of students return sophomore year? What percent graduate in four years?

How difficult is it to get your classes? How does registration work?

Does each student have a counselor?

Is the campus networked? What internet access is provided and where? In each room?

What are the most popular majors? Which of those have special requirements or are impacted?

Is there an honors program?

Are there special exchange programs or opportunities to study abroad?

Are students recruited aggressively? Are they offered internships?

What percent of the students are accepted to graduate schools?

How are the computer facilities? Where do they have wireless?

Questions about Financial Aid

What percent of students receive financial aid? What are the filing date deadlines?

Are jobs available on campus? Work-study programs?

Are there other grants and loans available? How does one qualify or apply?

What is a typical financial aid package for freshmen?

When is a student notified about financial aid?

Are there other special scholarships for athletics? Arts? Leadership? Academics?

You will often feel rushed in high school, as you’re being pulled in many different and competing directions. The closer you get to senior year, the worse this time pressure becomes. But don’t skip the college visits. They can make all the difference in your decision. However, to save cost AND time, it might make sense to visit top choice colleges before applying but save some visits at your lower choices for after acceptances. After all, with luck they may not be necessary.

There are now companies that offer group college visits for students. Here is one example:



If all else fails, there are virtual visits using websites such as or .

On the following page we’ve included a helpful checklist that may help you prepare for college visits. Think of college visits as a treasure hunt; the treasure is a college that is meant for you and will provide you with a rewarding and fulfilling undergraduate experience. Your clues are gleaned from the questions you ask and the information you receive. You must put them together to see where you’ll best fit in. Good luck on these all-important quests!

Checklist for Your College Visit

⇨ Make an appointment ahead of time, and try for a private tour and/or interview.

⇨ Can you obtain an appointment with a professor in your area(s) of interest?

⇨ Try for an interview with admissions officer.

⇨ Get a map of the campus and directions (if needed) for getting there.

⇨ Try to go when school is in session (as opposed to summer or breaks).

⇨ One way or another (group or private), take a campus tour.

⇨ Take pictures and notes. Jot down impressions. Later it’s hard to remember everything.

⇨ Do you like the campus? Is it well maintained? How is campus security?

⇨ Participate in a group information session at the admissions office.

⇨ Get business cards and names of people you meet for future contacts and thank-you’s.

⇨ Ask about financial aid (if applicable) and obtain any financial aid forms.

⇨ Sit in on a class of a subject that interests you.

⇨ Talk to a professor in your potential major or in a subject that interests you.

⇨ Talk to coaches of sports in which you might participate. Attend a sporting event if you can.

⇨ Talk to a student or counselor in the career center.

⇨ Read the student newspaper and listen to the college radio station. Get a feel for the culture.

⇨ Try to find other student publications -- department newsletters, alternative newspapers, reviews.

⇨ What sorts of clubs or societies are represented on the campus?

⇨ Scan bulletin boards to see what day-to-day student life is like.

⇨ Eat in the cafeteria. Ask others about the campus food.

⇨ Ask a student why he/she chose this college.

⇨ Wander around the campus by yourself. Will you fit in? Does it feel right?

⇨ Check out the bulletin board(s) in the central area. Find out what’s going on!

⇨ Read for a little while in the library and see what it's like.

⇨ Search for your favorite book in the library. How modern and well-equipped is it?

⇨ Ask a student what he/she dislikes about the college.

⇨ Ask a student what he/she loves about the college.

⇨ Browse in the college bookstore.

⇨ Ask about wifi and other computer facilities.

⇨ Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus. Is it safe?

⇨ Ask a student what he/she does on weekends. Does everyone leave or stay?

⇨ Interested in Greek life? (sororities and fraternities) Visit the Greek “row”.

⇨ Try to see or stay overnight in a dorm that you didn't see on the tour. All dorms are not equal!

⇨ Imagine yourself attending this college for four years. Is it YOU?

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