A Family Guide to Visiting Colleges with their Student…with insider tips!
Having worked at a college for 14 years, I saw hundreds of families navigate the buildings and grounds of campus guided by their ever gracious, smiling, and walking backwards guide (which is truly a talent)! Teens were wide-eyed, secretly praying that their adult would not be the one asking the annoying questions, while parents held tightly onto the fancy folder, no doubt recalling and possibly longing for their days in dorms.
For those who are confident that their student is ready for a college experience, there is no doubt that visiting a campus in person is the ideal approach to making a decision about where to go to college. As a parent, being informed about the process can help you guide your student towards making the most of their college years and preparing for their future.
Before you book a flight or gas up the car, I hope you will take a look at these tips below for how to plan and conduct productive campus visits. Note that I have included both the standard tips, as well as some more “below the surface” insider tips:
Planning a Campus Visit
Start early. Spring break of senior year is the busy season for campus visits, but you can lower the stress by giving yourselves more time. Encourage your student to see a few different types of schools while they're still a junior. It may also help them whittle down their final list.
How long it takes to get home should definitely be taken into account. With most first year students unable to have a car, and the rising cost of transportation, keep in mind how easy or difficult it will be for you to get to them, or them to get to you.
Search online. Gather as much information as you can in advance. Visit campus websites and take advantage of free resources from reputable organizations like The College Board.
Size matters! Some students feel the under 5,000 students can replicate the “drama” of high school, while others feel that the larger ones make them feel too much like a number.
Diversity matters! Students today often care about the diversity of the student body. Knowing that there is multiple racial, cultural and economic backgrounds can provide students with exposure and opportunities that will help them in their careers.
Decide who goes. Colleges are used to students visiting with two parents, a guardian, friends, older siblings, or arriving solo. It's usually a good idea for a parent or guardian to be present for at least the first trip. That way, you can provide support and model to the student how to cover each item on their checklist.
Make a chart or list ahead of time, specific to your student and family situation, that will help compare after all the tours are completed. Things to include may be tuition, average class size, tutoring and/or other academic support programs, activities/organizations that speak to your student, along with what health/wellness/counseling services are available.
Make reservations. Some tours have popular extra features that fill up quickly. Call ahead to ensure your student has the chance to sit in on a class or attend a panel discussion.
While summer is often ideal for families to visit campuses based on scheduling, going when classes and activities are in full effect provide a more authentic experience.
Write out questions. Help your student to identify their most important criteria and form questions that will elicit the information they need. Bringing along a written list will also make it easier to remember what you wanted to discuss with the admissions counselor or the student leading the tour.
The student on the tour may not align with your students interests and background. Use the admissions office, as well as social media accounts - specifically student focused - that allow your student to ask questions that suit their academic and individual goals.
Rehearse interviewing. Maybe your student is nervous because they have a personal interview scheduled. Assure them that it's one small part of the admissions process that gives both the school and the student a chance to learn more about each other. It's also a great opportunity to practice advocating for themselves, so stage a trial run at home.
Don’t take offense if the person they want to rehearse with is not you. Encourage them to use high school teachers, coaches or guidance counselors, as well as family members like aunts and uncles to assist them.
Conducting a Campus Visit
Take a back seat. Give your student room to take charge of their own education. While your feedback is valuable, they need to make the decision about where they'll be spending the next four years.
Give them time to process it all. I encourage students to write down their own reflections and then share with family members. Give your thoughts and feedback AFTER you have heard from them.
Break away from the group. Organized tours are helpful, but take the opportunity to talk with some additional students privately. They can tell you what they like about the school and what they would want to change.
Keep in mind, it is a sales pitch when you are on a tour. If you were shopping for a car, you would want to know how people who actually own that car feel about it, and wouldn’t just take the word of the sales person. This is a bigger investment than a car, so take your time.
Check out the neighborhood. While for some, the location is secondary, it will have some impact on a student's quality of life. Drop into a local coffee shop or supermarket.
Keep in mind your students own ability to navigate getting on and off campus, and doing things on their own. If you have been doing all of the driving for the past 18 years, they may need some guidance on how to take a break from campus.
Have your student take notes and photos. Your impressions may blur together after a while. Keep a journal and snap a few pictures so you can refresh your memory when you're back home and ready to discuss your travels.
Try to think past the first-year experience. Explore housing for upperclassmen, as well as opportunities for things like getting a job, study abroad, and staying active outside of the classroom.
Look around. Pay attention to details that suggest what a college is really like. Are there lots of interesting events posted on the bulletin boards? Do the students, faculty, and staff seem friendly and helpful?
Campus visits are a big investment of your time and money, but it's the most effective way to help your student select a school they'll love. Your efforts will pay off when they find a college where they fit in and receive the kind of education they've been searching for.
FINAL NOTE - There is a difference between a college degree and a college experience. There is no question about the professional and financial benefits of getting a degree. That being said, some students are just as successful by starting off at community college to get their general ed courses done and then transferring - Valedictorian of my high school class went to community college before transferring to Stanford. Additionally, some students thrive when commuting from home and then getting an apartment with friends and classmates that they have met. The college experience has drastically changed in the past 20 years! Be sure to communicate with your student about their comfort level in this next step.
Set to Go is a program of the Jed Foundation. I cannot recommend this resource enough. There are so many great articles and tools for students and families alike! The Right Fit Quiz helps students, counselors, and families think in depth about whether a particular school is a good “fit” for a student from an academic, personal preference, and emotional standpoint. Students should use this quiz when considering different college options and should also use it as a discussion tool with their families, counselors, mentors, and anyone else advising them on the college admission and decision process.
