12.3.2024 Melanie Trindade
Choosing a college can be a daunting task, with so many options available. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices to just 4-8 schools to apply to. To make things easier, you can use an online tool to find colleges that meet your specific selection criteria. This could include ensuring that they offer your desired major (or a variety of options if you're unsure), providing opportunities for your favorite extracurricular activities, or being in a certain area.
After compiling a list of potential schools, it's time to start exploring campuses. Use your time wisely by attending admission tours, and financial aid sessions, and interacting with students, staff, and faculty members. Take it all in, but don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions. To help you get started, here are some useful tips.
Schedule a Campus Tour Early!
Keep your parents and guidance counselor in the loop about your thoughts and feelings and reach out to the admissions offices of schools that catch your eye. Scheduling a visit online is quick and easy. Bring along a friend or family member to explore it with you.
When planning your campus visits, it's important to stay organized and make a list of questions to ask during the tour. Your guide should be able to provide you with valuable information such as the average class size for freshmen and the student-to-faculty ratio at the college. This information can give insight into the level of personalized attention and tutoring opportunities you can expect at the institution.
Broaden your Horizons!
Depending on your needs and desires, you could also ask your tour guide about study abroad opportunities. Studying in a foreign country for a semester has a lot of benefits worth exploring, including bolstering your global awareness, rounding out your life experiences and academic learning, and exposing you to another language and foreign culture.
Don’t Forget About your Finances.
Once you finish your tour, it would be beneficial to visit the financial aid office and speak with a counselor to address any inquiries you may have regarding paying for your degree. Although it may seem daunting, consider asking about the typical amount of college debt students incur, the average percentage of tuition covered by financial aid, and potential summer internship or job placement opportunities.
Shadow Classes and Talk to Professors.
If you have a specific field or major that you're interested in pursuing, it can be beneficial to inquire about scheduling a meeting with a faculty member from that department or arranging to observe a class. This way, you can gain a better understanding of your potential path and explore your interests more fully.
A useful tip for you is to reach out to your future professors in the department and ask about research opportunities as an undergraduate. Having research experience can boost your curriculum vitae, especially if you plan to pursue graduate school in the future. Additionally, you can inquire about honors programs, teaching assistants, and tutors to find out how they facilitate learning. It's always a good idea to plan and show your professors that you take your studies seriously right from the start, even before your first day of classes.
Looking to Experience Campus Life?
By shadowing a class and going on a campus tour, your understanding of campus life far surpasses that of most incoming students and even some freshmen who have not been able to visit before attending
Many educational institutions offer overnight programs that allow you to stay on campus and gain a better understanding of college life. If you have the opportunity to participate in such a program, take advantage of it! Whether you are exploring the campus independently or staying with a current student, make sure to ask questions. Find out how students spend their weekends, which activities and clubs are popular (and which are not), and how athletics impact campus culture. Inquire about dining halls, dormitories, and libraries to get a true sense of what life will be like. But always remember that the primary reason for attending college is to learn, so don't forget about academics!
