Since high school and college spring break times generally do not coincide, spring vacation can be a great time to visit college campuses. Seniors can visit (or revisit) colleges still high on their list to help in making final decisions about which college to attend. For juniors, spring break provides a time to see a college while it is still in session. This provides a truer picture of day-to-day life on that campus. Because colleges tend to get lots of visitors during spring break, you’ll want to make your plans early. The website www.goseecampus.com can be useful in planning out your campus visits.
If a senior is using this visit to make a final decision, it is important to do more than just take the campus tour. Call ahead to the admissions office and request an overnight stay in a residence hall and ask to sit in on one or more classes. If you’ve identified a major, a talk with one of the professors in that department might also be helpful. Spend lots of time speaking with current students about their likes and dislikes, and assess how well this college really fits you and your needs. Be sure to also visit the career or placement office and learn how the college supports students transitioning to the world of work.
Juniors who are just beginning their search for the “perfect college” will be concentrating more on the general feel of each institution. Arrange to go on a campus tour, attend an information session, and speak with current students. Visit the dorms, eat a meal at a dining hall, and check out the recreational facilities. Explore educational options such as majors offered, study abroad, internships, and accessibility of faculty. If you’re really interested in one of the colleges you visit, check out the summer opportunities there so you can spend more time on campus. Be sure to take photos and note your impressions in writing—colleges and their programs tend to blend together when you visit several colleges.
