Campus Visits

College is no small investment. Students are investing four years of their lives, while parents are investing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. So a visit to the campus is well worth the effort.

For parents, college visits are a good time to check out the quality of the facilities, student health centers, and recreational opportunities, as well as other lifestyle factors. Students can get a sense of what the student body is like, take a look at the dorms, and get an overall feel for the school.

We recommend that students and parents go on college visits together and take along a written checklist of the features that are most important.

When you become a Campus Bound client you will receive a ninety page resource book - the Campus Bound College Guide - that guides students through campus visits, interviews, SATs and ACTs, the Common Application, and much more.

Here are just a few of the tips included in the Campus Bound College Guide:

• Learn about the college before investing time and money in a visit: Check out the school’s web site and read its catalog and brochures first. Is the college’s size comfortable to you? Is it in a location where you’d like to live? Does it offer a major you might be interested in?
• While there, visit a freshman dormitory, dining hall, student health center, recreation center and other lifestyle facilities: Are the dormitory bathrooms clean? Are the dining hall meals healthy and appetizing? Is the health center adequately staffed and equipped? Does the rec center offer activities you would like to participate in?
• Tour the computer lab and the library: Are they adequate and up-to-date? Are they open during the hours you would likely use them? Does the library have quiet, comfortable areas to study? How crowded are the computer labs?
• Ask specific questions about the major you are considering:  Does the school have a core curriculum?  How soon are you going to be able to take courses that are directly related to your major?  What internships are available to students in this major? 
• Ask to see classrooms and other academic facilities: Are the classrooms welcoming, well-maintained, and up-to-date?  Are the academic buildings spread out over the campus or are they clustered in one area of the campus? 
• Be prepared: Wear comfortable, casual, clean clothing. Bring a notebook and record your thoughts, impressions, and facts. Bring an unofficial copy of your high school transcript and a copy of your high school profile.
• Stroll the campus, read the student newspaper, check out kiosks: Do you feel comfortable? Does it seem like a place where you could learn and have fun? Are there activities and clubs that would interest you?
• Ask questions: Don’t be shy. You are investing four years and upwards of $200,000 in college. Ask any and all questions that come to mind.

For assistance on campus tours or other aspects of finding schools and applying to college, call Campus Bound today 888-843-5560.