As commitment deadlines are coming up for seniors and admissions papers are flying in for juniors, many students are going on college tours. However, college tours are often filled with a lot of information, so what’s important to remember?
One of the most important parts of a college tour is getting to know the campus atmosphere and how you feel being there. What is the architecture like? The weather? Campus culture? What are students doing around campus? Do any specific facilities peak your interest? Making sure you like where you’re going is crucial, because it is where you are going to spend the next four years of your life.
It’s also important to take note of the academic culture. Ask your tour guide about their experiences with faculty. How accessible are they? What is the general class style? Also make sure you learn about the specific programs you’re interested in, the curriculum, and potential research or internship opportunities.
Pay attention to extracurricular activities as well. Many colleges offer hundreds of clubs, so asking about student favorites and observing what specific clubs do can help you see part of what makes the school special. Ask about study abroad opportunities and what students often do outside the classroom to get a better understanding of what being a student at the school entails.
Because tours and information sessions are often very fast-paced, make sure to write down what you like and what you don’t like about the school. These notes can help you compare schools to decide where to commit, or to write the essay that answers the question “Why us?” on almost every college application.
