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Tips For A Successful College Visit

March 28, 2008 | Hits for this post:125 |

Whether you are a high school sophomore or junior exploring your options or whether you are an admitted senior making your final decision, now is the prime season for visiting college campuses. College is a huge commitment as well as a life changing experience. Fancy brochures and guidebooks cannot replace the feel of a living breathing campus.

The following tips should help any student get the most out of a college visit:

  1. Find Out When School is in Session- Make sure the students are not on spring break or reading week for midterms or finals. During the visit you want to experience a campus that is vibrant, filled with students and activities. Also, some schools give weekend tours if your schedule does not allow a weekday visit.
  2. The Official Campus Tour is Not Enough-Every school gives you a slide show with all their Nobel Prize winners and famous alumni. Every school takes you to the perfect furnished dorm room in the newest building with the freshly cut grass. You must explore on your own to get the real deal. Walk the campus and experience every nook and cranny on your own.
  3. Seek Out a Friend or a High School Alum-In the age of Facebook, etc. if you do not personally know a student who attends the school you are visiting, chances are you know someone who does. If you are really close with a current student you may want to spend a night in a dorm room with them. For the student who does not have such connections, the guidance office at your school may be able to give you a list of students who will be more than happy to meet with you and answer your questions.
  4. Check out the College Town- the town surrounding the campus is another piece of the overall college experience. As a potential resident in a new city, it is important that the restaurants, nightlife and cultural experiences are in line with your interests.
  5. Keep a Journal- write down your thoughts, questions, feelings, etc. Assemble names and phone numbers of students, faculty and administrators that you may need to contact in the future. Make distinctions between the various schools you visit. Make a list of pros and cons for each school. Allow yourself time to reflect back on these notes when it is time for you to make a final decision.

Author: Steven Weisman
Steven N. Weisman is an author and private SAT Tutor. Many valuable test strategies and information can be found on his blog and website http://www.testniques.com

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    1. Dental Assistants Schools That Meet Your Specific Needs | eduarticle.com on April 2, 2008 12:29 am

      […] It is always great when someone decides to go back to school and learn a new trade. This is especially true of individuals who have been in the workforce for several years in a minimum wage job and are looking for a rewarding career. Dental assistants schools are a way to help them break free from that minimum wage lifestyle and become a dedicated professional. But do you know the difference between the types of programs and colleges? […]

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