Sarah Yalowitz

At this point in the year, most juniors, and even some sophomores, are beginning to think about college visits. Visiting schools is exciting; it’s like shopping for your new home! But with so many options, the process can be overwhelming.

The first step is to come up with a list of schools that you might want to visit. This list should include a variety of colleges and universities, including those of sizes you may not think you’re interested in; you may end up loving it! It’s important to look over your list with a pragmatic eye. Will you be able to visit a school that is 3,000 miles away? When are you and your parents able to go?

The second step, before booking a college visit, is to research the school as much as you can. Look it up in The Fiske Guide to Colleges (there’s a copy in the school library if you don’t own one), and go on the school’s website.  Other sites with student perspectives, such as www.collegeclicktv.com, also provide helpful information. The more you know about a college before you visit it, the more you’ll get out of your time there!

Once you feel confident that you want to visit a particular school, go to the school’s website to book an information session and tour. Most schools will let you do this online, but if not, you may have to call the admissions office.

If you’re traveling with a parent, make sure that he or she is in a good mood. Pack your dad’s favorite snack for the road, or let your mom choose what music to listen to. Most of all, avoid arguments! A stressed-out parent can make a college visit extremely unpleasant.

“While a formal tour and information session provide a lot of information about a school, walking around the campus on your own time can be extremely helpful,” Catherine Gerkis ’10 said. “You’ll be able to picture yourself attending, or not attending, that school.”

 Another option when visiting a school is to stay overnight. If you don’t have a friend at the school who can host you, don’t worry! Most colleges have programs to help arrange overnights. The students who volunteer for such programs are usually friendly and outgoing, and you’ll get a great sense of the school if you stay for more than a couple of hours.

Most importantly, remember to have fun! Visiting colleges can be an enjoyable process as long as you keep both yours and your parents stretch at bay.