newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JASMINE MARCUS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Fall is a great time to visit colleges. Students are back at school, the weather isn't bad yet (hopefully), and application deadlines are still a few months away. October can be a great time to get in one last visit to make sure the school you're applying to early is really for you, or to start narrowing down the list of colleges you're applying to regular decision.

Here are a few tips for making the most out of your visits:

1. There's no need to visit all the schools you want to apply to now. Visit some to get a general sense of what you're looking for, but leave some until the spring when you see where you've been accepted.
2. That said, figure out each college's visiting policies. Some schools keep records of prospective students who take tours or attend info session (both on campus or when a representative visits your area). They may go back to these records to determine whether an applicant has "demonstrated interest," something that can help an application. However, since visiting campuses can be timely and costly, fewer schools are doing this today. Larger universities and state colleges are also less likely to keep track of this factor. Check to see if the schools you're most interested in keep track of visits, and if so, visit before the application deadline if you can.
3. While on campus, see if the school offers onsite interviews. These can serve as a way for the school to get to know you a little better, and can be a chance to stand out to an admissions officer. Even if a student is conducting the interview, he or she may jot down some notes about you. Take these sessions as an opportunity to ask a few questions about the school that you didn't find out during the tour or info session.
4. Don't bother attending a class. Many colleges offer a chance to sit in on a class. Unless you (think you) know what you want to study and can attend such a class, I don't see the point. Chances are you'll be put in a large, general lecture, but even if you end up in a smaller class, how can you judge a college's courses based on visiting one class for one period? If you want to learn more about classes, or anything else, see step 5.
5. Talk to an actual student – and your tour guide doesn't count. Tour guides are trained and coached by colleges on what answers to give and how to gloss over or avoid tough questions. If you want to know how involved the professors are, whether there's anything fun to do off campus, or just how much school spirit there is, talk to any random student walking by who doesn't seem too rushed. Most will be friendly and they can give you an honest opinion about college life.
6. If there's a specific interest you have, reach out to students who share it. At The Cornell Daily Sun, we were always happy to give a pre-frosh a tour of the office, and many other publication, political, religious or performing arts groups are eager to do the same. Simply look up and email a student organization online, or ask the admissions office to set you up with a student. If you dream of continuing taking your high school musical career to the next level, but the university's theater program is lacking, you may want to apply elsewhere.
7. Stray from the tour (once it's over). Taking a walk around and off campus can answer a lot of your unanswered questions. Are the classes far away from the dorms? Is there a grocery store nearby? A pharmacy? Have you had enough of the college town in just the five minutes it took you to walk through it? Besides becoming a student at your college, you will also become a resident of wherever the college is situated. Not only do you want the school to be a perfect fit, but you also want to live there comfortably for four years. Despite whatever your tour guide may have told you about the dining hall's great offerings, organic, low-fat food that's only served until 7 p.m. will only get you so far when you find yourself craving a slice of pizza at 2 a.m. ... Which is why you should also check out the gym.