Coming from a different angle to why parents and guardians should visit their children or wards, this article will help you figure out at least top 7 reasons why college visits matter, either as a student who is just visiting for personal, academic, or ambitious reasons, or as a tourist.
College Visits
College visits are no doubt important in digging out better and useful tourist information. It also helps students figure out what will inform their choices, while it also helps them channel their destiny better – with respect to career and all.
Visiting a college gives you the opportunity to connect with some important people who may be a part of your application process to answer any questions you may have. Many schools also track what we call ‘demonstrated interest’, essentially trying to guess whether or not an applicant would attend if admitted.
There are a number of reasons why you may want to visit a college in person before you send in your application. While it may seem more efficient to visit schools after you have been accepted, visiting before filling out your application can help you, too.
But, first, let us look at the importance of college.
The Importance of College
College is unavoidable for the young ones to attend. It is in fact part of the important steps to realising a full-blown growth. As justification for the value of college in this context, we must agree that there are many major reasons why students must go to college. This, before we come to discuss the essence of college visits itself.
Firstly, college degree can be the extra credential you need to land the dream job you’ve always wanted. Getting your bachelor’s degree may also allow you to view your work as a career and not just a job.
A 2016 report states that 77% of workers with a post-graduate degree and 60% of workers with a bachelor’s degree believe their jobs give them a sense of identity, versus just 38% of those with only a high school diploma or less.
This idea still holds today. A popular Foundation noted in The State of Higher Education 2022 Report that 61% of students enrolled in higher education are getting their degrees to find more fulfilling jobs.
In addition to that, you can also gain practical life skills as a college student. For example, you will need to meet regular assignment deadlines for each class. The discipline and time management strategies you learn along the way can be applied to all aspects of your life, whether you’re navigating projects at work or your family’s busy schedule.
Finally, for now, college degree can also impact your family members and their futures. Since your earning potential is typically greater as a college graduate, your degree may lead toward financial stability for you and your family.
College finance counselors can walk you through more than just how to pay for college. With helpful tips and advice, you may discover better budgeting techniques and learn more about financing options and processes that may be relevant to future investments, such as purchasing a car or a home.
Best 7 Reasons Why College Visits Matter
Back to the focus of our content, which is dissecting the best of the best top answers to why college visits are important so.
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Prepares You for Everything
Students need to research colleges thoroughly in order to create a balanced list of best-fit schools and to craft university-specific supplemental essays that highlight their knowledge of each institution. While a school’s website is a great starting point, touring a college will enable students to take their knowledge of the institution to the next level.
Tours and information sessions provide prospective applicants with the opportunity to ask questions, explore landmarks on campus, and learn what sets the college apart. In order to walk away with as much information as possible, applicants may wish to sit in on a lecture, eat at an on-campus dining hall, and look into staying overnight with a current student.
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Opens Door for Admission
Colleges are eager to admit applicants who have done their research and are excited about the possibility to attend a specific school. Every university strives to maintain its yield rate or the number of accepted applicants who choose to enroll.
Colleges are looking for students who demonstrate strong knowledge and interest in a school as they may be more likely to enroll if admitted.
Visiting a college is one way in which applicants can demonstrate their interest in a specific institution, as they get firsthand experience of the campus, and some colleges even track whether or not students have visited.
In order to ensure the college has a record of your visit, register in advance for official tours and information sessions.
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Feeds You Well On Compatibility
Nothing you are able to see online will help you determine if a college is the right fit for you as well as a campus visit. As you walk around the spaces where you’d be living and learning for four years, you will be able to get a sense of how you feel there.
You will see firsthand what your college experience could be like, including the unique aspects of the college’s community.
Some things to take notice of include how students interact with each other, what posters you see on bulletin boards promoting events and academic opportunities, and how campus spaces are decorated. All of these help you gauge the personality of a college.
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Gets You the Best of the Best
Physically placing yourself in different types of college environments may help you determine what kind of learning atmosphere is most appealing to you.
Even students with preconceived notions about what kind of college they wish to attend should consider visiting other schools to make sure they are not missing out on any alternatives that may ultimately be a better match.
Strive to tour colleges in both rural locations and bustling cities and visit institutions of different sizes to gain perspective on what you are looking for.
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Intimates You With Real Information
This gives you sufficient knowledge about the application process, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. While much of this information can probably be found online, it’s unlikely that you’ll walk away from your research without further questions about your unique situation. A visit gives you the chance to get personal, one-on-one attention from your counselor so that they can share information that is individualized and helpful to you.
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Informs Your Judgement
Bottom line: You need to feel comfortable on campus, and no brochure, slideshow, or virtual tour can give you the corporeal sense of “I belong here” like a college visit. Walk around. Talk to your gut. Your subconscious will have a lot to say on the matter, so make sure you listen.
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Helps You Get Firsthand Responses to Questions
It is a chance to ask the questions that matter most to you. To maximize the benefits of a campus visit, it is important to take some time before you arrive to consider what you’re looking for in a college. Some questions you might want to ask your admissions counselor and others you meet are:
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- Academic Opportunities: Do I have to declare a major when I apply? What if I don’t know what I want to study?
- Diversity: How diverse is the campus? Do all student groups feel welcome?
- What is unique about this college?
- Paying for college: What scholarship opportunities are available?
- Outcomes: Can you tell me about career and graduate school placement?
- While asking your questions, also pay attention to how people react to your questions
College Visits Preparation Tips
Here are some few tips on how to prepare for your college visits:
- Prioritize Comfort
This isn’t the day to break in a new pair of heels, especially because most college tours require plenty of walking. Skip uncomfortable shoes and instead gravitate towards sneakers or flat boots so that you can take that extra loop around the quad or circle back to the library for one more view.
In addition to choosing appropriate footwear, it’s important to select clothes that you feel comfortable in. It’s not necessary to wear anything super formal to a college tour; instead, choose an outfit that you have worn before and something you feel confident in.
- Don’t Forget to Check the Weather
It’s hard to concentrate on your tour guide when you are freezing cold or uncomfortably hot, so review the forecast before you go. The climate on campus may be very different from your hometown, so it’s important to pack according to the destination and consider bringing extra layers if you are going somewhere with cooler temperatures. Additionally, bring an umbrella or raincoat if there is rain in the forecast.
- Look Polished
While college tours do not require formal clothing or business attire, students should avoid looking like they just rolled out of bed. Especially since most students will also be attending an information session led by an admission officer (maybe even the reader for your area!) it’s important to dress for a good first impression.
Remember that you are touring schools to learn about each campus and emphasize your demonstrated interest in a specific institution, so your appearance should embody this. Avoid sweatpants and athletic wear and leave yourself ample time to get dressed in the morning so that you can greet your tour guide and anyone else you meet on campus with confidence.
- Don’t Wear Other College’s Clothing
Even if the school you are touring isn’t your first-choice college, you should give university officials the impression it is. Approach each tour with an open mind and view it as an opportunity to learn something new. While colleges don’t expect that they’re the only school that students are applying to, wearing the logo of another institution can send mixed messages — especially if you’re getting some face time with admissions officers or professors while you’re on campus.
- Do Repurpose Outfits
Don’t be afraid to repeat outfits on college visits, especially since you will be meeting new people and seeing new campuses. If you find an outfit that you like, it is more than okay to make this your go-to college tour outfit. Additionally, if you are traveling and plan on seeing multiple schools on the same trip, re-wearing outfits may be useful because they will enable you to pack lightly.
- Don’t Stress Too Much About It
The college application process can feel stressful at times, but picking out your outfits for tours shouldn’t be. Focus on choosing clothes that boost your confidence levels and are weather appropriate. Don’t worry about being trendy or on-brand for a school.
