College Visits

There is no substitution for stepping foot onto a college campus and feeling the spirit (or lack there of) and taking it all in. A campus visit is the best way to observe how the students interact, how they dress, what the food is like and what the dorms are really like. There is no publication or virtual tour, no matter how well done, that can give you a complete picture of a college or university.

With all of the information available on the school’s website or the sophistication of marketing brochures, it may seem like visiting a school is unnecessary, However, the campus visit may be the most single important element in a college search. One person’s “I love this close-knit community of a college town,” might be another person’s “I hate being so isolated and away from the city.”

At any point during your high school career, it’s a good idea to take advantage of any opportunities to visit a college. By junior year, however, the leisurely campus stroll should be replaced with a more intensive, informative campus visit. It’s important to visit schools before you apply to them. On a visit, you will be able to form an opinion of the people who go to the schools, as well as those who manage the institution. The visit will help you figure out if this is a place you will be comfortable and succeed in your collegiate career. It’s important to feel relaxed with place and the people as you will be spending the next four years there.

When is a good time to visit? The best time to visit a college is when it is in session. Summer and holiday visits are helpful, but may only give you a limited sense of campus life. In fact, during the summer, many of the students you find on college campuses are actually high school students attending athletic camps or special courses. You should always avoid college visits during their (or MND’s) exam time.

Keep in mind that MND has many school holidays when colleges are in session. Take advantage of these by looking at our calendar and checking with the colleges of your choice.

Juniors and seniors at MND are granted a “field trip” day for college visits. There are procedures that need to be followed to arrange for this absence:

College visits are generally not permitted on a day before a holiday or after April 15th.
Complete the teacher field trip form from your counselor; there are also forms in the back of the handbook/planbook. The form needs to be signed by your counselor, teachers and parents and then turned into the main office, prior to your visit.

How do I get started?

Give the college or university’s admissions office a call directly.
Check the school’s website and look for the “Admissions” or “Prospective Students” tabs. From there you can usually find the “Campus Visits” section. Most schools will list tour and information session times. Reservations are NOT usually needed to attend these events. However, each school is different, so be sure to check carefully. Be sure to take note of any parking instructions.

What does the typical college visit include?

An Admissions Presentation – A short question and answer session usually precedes a campus tour. Listen carefully to what is being presented.
A Tour – Colleges usually offer two types of tours – a group tour or a private tour for just you and your family. Much like at MND, “student ambassadors” are chosen and trained to give prospective students and their families tours and present a positive image of the school. These students will be able to better answer questions that you may not want to ask a college official. They can give you their first-hand experience on dorm life, social activities and food.

Other schools may take the “Here’s a map; have a good time!” approach. These tours have their advantages because you can explore the school at your pace and check out areas of particular interest to you without the “sales pitch.” For instance, if you are thinking of majoring in engineering, you could spend more time in that building and maybe even drop in on a class. If you are an athlete, you can check out the athletic facilities. If you are considering majoring in art, you can check out the studios or students' work. Every school has its own personality, and this is a great way to get a feel for it.

No matter what kind of tour you receive, there are other “must see” aspects of the school that will be important in weighing your decision:
- Food – Make sure you eat at one of the dining halls while you are on campus.

Remember to check out the area surrounding the campus – restaurants, stores, off-campus housing. Does the area feel safe? Walk around and gauge your feelings. Are you excited? Do you feel safe? Let intuition take over; your gut instinct is a very important part of this decision-making process. College is about academics, but it also about much more – living and learning from and with other people. Don't make the mistake of rejecting a school based on a poor tour guide, soggy french fries or a freak snow storm, but trust your instincts. You will be spending the next couple of years at the college/university you choose. It must be a place where you can feel comfortable yet challenged enough to live and learn.

Interview with an Admissions Counselor – Although only a few colleges require an interview, it is always a good idea to try to arrange to speak with someone in the admissions office while you are on campus. Prepare for the interview by reading all you can about the school. Make a list of your questions, and don’t be afraid to ask them. Some questions you might ask are:
- Attendance in Classes – you may be able to sit-in on a class related to your interests or confer with a coach. The key to arranging these types of activities is to plan ahead and give the admissions office enough notice.
- Overnight Visit in a Dorm - Spending the night in a college dorm, hosted by a student either introduced to you through the admissions office or someone you may already know, will be an important learning experience. To arrange this, call the admissions office at the college. You can also check with MND’s Advancement Office to see if there are any MND grads at that school.
  This is another great opportunity to ask some important questions like:
  - How many hours per week do you study?
  - Are faculty members interested in students and accessible outside of class?
  - Do many students go home on the weekends?
  - Where do students like to study?
  - How easy is it to schedule the classes you want at registration?
  - If you had to choose again, would you still come here?
Other Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes – you will do A LOT of walking.
- Don’t forget to introduce your parents to the person interviewing you. Parents will serve as quiet observers, but they will offer an important perspective as you work through your decision.
- Try to look a little lost – does anyone stop to help you?
- You should dress neatly, especially if you are going to have an interview. First impressions do count!
- After leaving the campus, be sure to write down your reactions such as “like the dorms, everyone wore Abercrombie and great food.” After a few visits, the schools can start to blend together, and you will be glad to have those “in the moment” thoughts and reactions.

What if you just cannot visit? If you are unable to get to the school’s campus, you can still get a feel of the college by talking to recent graduates or current students from this area. The college’s admissions office can give you “references” and MND’s Advancement Office can also put you in touch with MND grads who may be attending that school.

Also, many college reps visit MND in the fall. Sign up in the Guidance Office to spend some time with a representative of a school that interests you. If a rep from a school you are interested in is not scheduled to come to MND, you can call the school’s admissions office to see when they will be in the area.

You can also take advantage of virtual tours. Check out the websites below for V-Tours:
www.campustours.com
www.collegiatechoice.com