Before you head out on your trip, be sure to check the school’s website or call the Office of Admissions to schedule an appointment and tour; don’t just show unexpectedly, as you may be disappointed to find out that you have limited access to several areas of interest to you. You can also inquire about optional information sessions, overnight stay options, the availability to complete a college interview, and even the opportunity to shadow a current student or sit-in on a class or two.

Visiting a college in person not only gives you a better feel for the campus and the student body, it also provides insight to the student culture on campus. Are you a free spirit and thrive in a more liberal setting? Or, do you prefer structure and rules? These are all good things to know before you commit to any school. By spending time on the campus and talking with current students and faculty members, you’ll definitely have a clear picture of what life would be like should you decide to enroll.

But, what if you don’t have the money or the time to visit every school on your list? Contact the Office of Admissions and set up an interview with a representative in your area or see if there is an alumni group nearby that may be able to answer any questions you may have about the campus. In either case, it’s best to prepare yourself by taking along a list of questions you have concerning the school. You can find a helpful college guide and campus visit worksheet on WiseChoice.com, as well as a handy list of tips to consider when planning your college visits.

To learn more about college visits, be sure to check out our Learning Center on WiseChoice.com.

ROAD TRIP!!

Again, maybe not a made-for-TV-movie road trip, but think about heading out with your folks and visit a few colleges within driving distance*.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to check out campuses.  You will be amazed at how great you might think a school is… and then you set foot on campus.  You’ll see the students, feel the vibe, take a student-lead tour, maybe even sit in on a class, and your entire perspective might change.  You might realize this is exactly the kind of school you want to attend, or you might realize that this is not at all what you imagined.  Regardless, getting out and visiting schools near your home is a great way to spend spring break and to explore colleges.  Even if you aren’t interested in your local university, it might be worth checking out just so you can wrap your head around what it’s like to go a school with 20,000+ students.  I know I was in a bit of a shock when I walked into an Economics lecture that had more students than my entire (400 person) high school.  It’s hard to grasp without experiencing it.

Do you already have plans for spring break?  Share them!  The comments section is here for you guys to converse with one another or ask any questions of me or WiseChoice.  And if you do road trip to some colleges over spring break, definitely let me know how it goes!

* One important watch-out: before you go, make sure it’s not also spring break for any college you plan to visit.  If it is, the campus will be empty and you will not get a true idea of what the school is really like.