How to Make the Most Out of Spring Break College Tours
How to Make the Most Out of Spring Break College Tours
No matter whether you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, visiting college campuses during spring break will be well worth your time. You can gain insight on what types of schools fit you best and develop (or deepen) relationships with the admissions office at your top choice colleges.But not all college visits are made equal. Most families will attend information sessions and campus tours. However, you can take a deeper dive into learning about a school by scheduling a class visit, talking to current students, and getting feedback from your parents. This will help you to figure out the nuances that differentiates one school from another, since, after attending information sessions at four to five schools, they may start to all blend together.Now, let’s take a closer look at how you can make the most out of you spring break college visits.
Target Geographic Regions
First and foremost, you must figure out which schools you will visit. We recommend targeting geographic regions to save time and money on flights. Start first with a list of colleges that are on your radar and note the top three you are most excited about. Then group schools that are in close proximity to each other (meaning you can drive from one college to another within a couple of hours). Prioritize scheduling visits for the groups that contain your top 3 schools. While you are in a certain region, consider touring colleges that you have not heard about—it’ll expose you to diverse campuses.Here is a list of colleges grouped according to some major U.S. cities. Los Angeles
- The Claremont Colleges
- Occidental College
- Pepperdine University
- Caltech
- UCLA
- USC
- Tufts
- MIT
- Harvard
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Emerson College
- Barnard College
- Columbia University
- New York University
- Vassar College
- Northwestern
- University of Chicago
- Wheaton College
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- University of Pennsylvania
- Swarthmore College
- Haverford College
- Villanova University
- Emory University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Visit Classes (if possible)
Ideally, you will have the opportunity to sit in on a class that is aligned with the topic that you hope to major in. This will give you a better sense of what it means to be a student on a particular campus.Schools may have a list of classes that prospective students are welcome to visit. But for colleges without these lists, you can email professors to ask for permission to sit in on a lecture. Information such as courses offered and who teaches them can be found through searching online for colleges’ course schedules.Note that classes may not be in session if the college you’re visiting is also on spring break, so be sure to look up the academic calendar of a school before you start messaging professors.
Talk to Current Students
Current students are your best resource for gaining raw data on a school’s social and academic culture. Unlike official information sessions and tours, you can get an unfiltered perspective of what it’s like to attend that college.Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to a current student who may be lounging around in the main quad. Let him or her know where you are from, your grade, and that you have some questions about their experience you would love to ask. If they say no, then feel free to move on and try again. If they say yes, score!Here are some good questions to ask a current student:
- What led you to attend here?
- Can you tell me about what you think makes this campus unique?
- I’m interested in X major. Do you have any insight on what the department is like?
- There are so many positive things about this school. Can you tell me something you do not like about it?
Jot down notes if you can while talking to students. Their thoughts can be great material for when you write supplemental essays.
Ask Your Parents Their Opinion
For those of you whose parents are joining your visits, they can be a great resource for figuring out whether a school fits you well. Spend time debriefing the tours with them.If you feel that your parents have many opinions about colleges that feel out-of-tune with what you are looking for, ask them targeted questions.“Based on we learned in the information session and the fact that I hope to study environmental engineering, what do you like about the university’s engineering department?” “I really liked what the tour guide said about the value of collaboration on campus. Given what you know about me, what do you think are the pros and cons of this college’s student culture?”Since your parents are touring the campuses with you, they will be a good sounding board. Take time to listen to their thoughts—it may help you to articulate what you like and do not like about a school.
Go Explore the Town or City
It is your spring break after all! College tours can be so jam-packed that students do not have time to take a breather until after they return home. Remember to schedule some time to enjoy the city or town that you are visiting. Go on Yelp to find out what local cuisine you absolutely must try or landmarks you should definitely see before heading off to the next place.This is also important for the college selection process. You may love a school but find that life outside its campus is bland. Is this okay for you? Or are you someone who must live in a city decked with museums and culture? Give yourself the time you need to find out.
Send a Thank You Note to Your Tour Guide
After you visit each school, remember to send your tour guides a thank you note. At some admissions offices, these notes are added to your applicant file, giving you a small bonus point in the review process.Even if this is not the case for a college that interests you, it is good to express your gratitude for people who have helped you along the college process. You leave open a door to send them a follow-up email about any additional questions you have. And thankfulness in and of itself reaps great rewards over a lifetime.
A Note About Coronavirus*
In the wake of the current Coronavirus outbreak, colleges are responding in different ways to ensure the health and safety of their population. In some cases, this includes cancelling admitted student weekends, open houses, tours, and other public events. Please confirm with each school you intend to visit whether or not their campus is open as close to your visit as possible.As access is restricted in many places, students can take advantage of online resources to learn as much as possible about their schools of interest. You can also work harder to connect with alums over Skype, Facetime, or another such platform to ask your questions about campus experience. If you need help or additional tips for making your matriculation decision during this time of uncertainty, ask your high school counselor or consider consulting an admissions specialist. The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us