What to Do on a College Visit

When a student visits a college or university campus, it demonstrates that the student is interested in the school. It also shows the admissions office that the student is serious about attending the institution. Here’s what you should do to make the most of your college visit.

Walk the Campus

Take in everything around you. Walk the pathways, sidewalks and trails on campus. See if you feel at home, whether in a bustling city or a scenic campus tucked away in a college town. You might be surprised; many campuses like Michigan State University have picturesque gardens and historic buildings that are fun to explore.

Eat the Cafeteria Food

Eat lunch or dinner in the dorms. You can get a sense of what eating on campus is like. Also, ask current students about the best food on campus, as different dorms might serve different food. You could have Japanese food on east campus and Italian on west campus. Colleges usually post dining hall schedules so you can see what is on the menu each day.

Sit in on a Lecture

Getting a feel for the food and campus is one thing, but you also can see how classes are conducted. Sit in on a lecture to see if you like the teaching style at the university. At smaller schools, classes might be intimate and engaging. At larger ones, hundreds of students might assemble in the lecture halls. It all boils down to what you want.

Talk to Students on Campus

Colleges put their best foot forward on campus tours, but if you want to know what life is really like, talk to current students. You can ask about anything and get a genuine answer. This is the time to find out if the dorm bathrooms are clean, whether professors are engaged with their students or what Friday nights are like.