The
Visit:
Visiting
colleges that you are considering is extremely important. It will
afford you the chance to see just about all of the campus first hand,
instead of just the pictures that are in the viewbook. You will be
able to ask questions, interact with students, and get a feel for
the environment. Also, you can check out the city or town in which
the school is located. When you visit, you will often have some sort
of emotional reaction, good or bad, that you can not derive from the
viewbooks and online tours.
When
You Visit A Campus:
1.
Take a tour- check facilities; including dorms, library, and recreational
areas. Even if you have a friend on campus who will show you around,
you should still take the official tour.
2.
Talk to students, a useful source of information, but remember that
personal opinions must be considered with care.
3.
Visit a class.
4.
Talk with a faculty member- preferably one teaching in the area of
your prospective major field of study.
5.
Have a meal on campus.
6.
Visit the snack bar or lounge to observe students and gauge the campus
climate.
7.
Read the campus newspaper.
8.
Check the bulletin boards to find out about clubs and social activities.
9.
Ask questions! Don't be bashful!
10.
Remember, you should visit every school to which you plan to apply.
Arranging to stay over with a friend may also be a good idea.
The
Interview:
Colleges
have very different policies about interviews. Some colleges require
them, some recommend them, and some don't even have interviews. Check
with each of your schools individually. If a college requires or recommends
an interview, don't wait too long to make an appointment.
Some
schools offer alumni interviews instead of traditional interviews
with admissions officers. This allows for people to be interviewed
close to home and can be very convenient when a college is far away.
When
You Have An Interview:
1.
Be prompt, neatly attired, and well-mannered.
2.
Be well-prepared; read the catalog in advance and prepare questions.
3.
Answer questions honestly and fully. Admit your shortcomings, but
stress your accomplishments and objectives.
4.
Be a good listener.
5.
Be ready to volunteer information- know your GPA (if available), test
scores, and reasons for wanting to attend that school.
6.
Relax! Be yourself.
Note:
Many large schools do not provide for individual interviews. Instead,
they offer group interviews or open house programs. It is not necessary
to meet with the Dean of Admissions. When you get home, write a thank-you
note to your interviewer.
Articles:
Excerpts
From Campus Visits & College Interviews
By
Zola Dinein Schneider, Published by The College Board
How
To Evaluate A College: Myths & Realities
How
Seniors Decide (Juniors interview Seniors about college/scholarship
searches)
