A walk through campus is more than just a tour; it’s a walk through your potential future. For high school DECA members, tours can transform uncertainty into certainty. Approach them with an open mindset, curiosity and, of course, good walking shoes.
Here are seven tips to Go The Extra on your next college visit.
1. Do Your Homework Before You Go
Even before you set foot on campus, have an idea of what makes that specific school stand out to you. If it’s related to an academic program, go out of your way to ask questions about it. If you are into sports, check out the athletic facilities. You must research and understand what to expect before your tour.
2. Take a Virtual Tour Before Your In-Person Tour
One tip I have is to take a virtual tour ahead of time, either through the college’s website or on YouTube. You’ll get a better sense of the area and know what areas to watch out for.
3. Make a Standard Question List
When visiting different schools, have a list of common questions to compare schools. My questions on my list included:
- Can a freshman have a car on campus?
- How do dining dollars work?
- How is your experience with meeting professors during office hours?
- What’s something you knew as a freshman?
- Why did you ultimately choose this school?
4. Go Beyond Campus
While the campus is a beautiful place, check out the local neighborhood. Make sure to see if the surrounding areas have an adequate number of grocery stores, clothing stores, and restaurants.
Pro tip: Look to see how involved the community is and if residents have the same school spirit you will one day have.
5. Take Plenty of Pictures
Walking around a college campus will be an upgrade from your high school halls. Take pictures of various locations so you can go back and review them when it comes time for applications and admission. Schools often blend; having a quick picture can help you remember your time on campus.
6. Talk to Current Students
While tour guides are a great resource, so are current students! Make sure to ask them any questions you may have, as they have recently gone through the college admission process to the specific school you are touring.
7. Sense the Culture
On your tour, keep a feel for the college’s culture. This can be seen through simple everyday acts such as students greeting each other, professors smiling and positive staff interactions.
At the end of the day, your future campus is more than some buildings; it’s a community, just like DECA. Go in prepared, be curious and always have an open mindset.
