Following Up After a College Tour

So you found an undergraduate school that you think would be a good match, went for a tour and maybe even spent the night with a student to get a good feel for the dorms, food and campus. If the school is still on your short list, your work isn’t done yet. If you are interested in applying to the college, make sure you do the following things.

Follow-Up

This might be the most obvious, but it is also the most important. Reach out to any admissions officers or representatives you met while on campus, ideally with a question to demonstrate your interest. You can either send a thank-you note or an email, or both if you’re eager.

Thank-you notes are usually seen as going the extra mile, but it will be easier for the admissions officer to respond to your questions if all they need to do is hit the “reply” button. Try to only ask them a small handful of questions—you want to be respectful of their time and not ask for information already provided on their website.

Reach Out

Make sure to contact anyone else you met on campus who might be a good resource if you attend the school. These people can include the dean, a professor or the leaders of activities you are interested in joining.

Write Down Important Observations

If you didn’t take notes during the trip, make sure you write down anything important afterwards. This can not only help when making your decision of where to attend, but also if your chosen school asks you why you want to attend, then you can give a specific and detailed answer.

Follow Social Media

Follow a college or university on social media. Most schools have a Facebook and Twitter, plus some even have an Instagram or Snapchat. If you took photos of yourself on campus, make sure to share in a way where the college can see them.

Say Thank You

This won’t necessarily help you secure a spot at the college of your dreams, but don’t forget to thank anyone who helped arrange the visit or drove to campus with you.