When Is The Best Time To Visit Colleges

Now that you’ve done your research online and you’ve narrowed down your college search to a manageable list, it is time to visit the college campus.  There are a few times of the year that is optimum to getting the most value out of a trip to visit a college. Here are the best times to visit colleges and what you should do to make the most out of your visit to a campus.

Do –

• Visit when school is in session and the campus is alive. This is when you get to see how current students interact with each other and the campus.
• Visit during Open House Days. Keep in mind; this is when everyone puts their best foot forward.
• Visit unannounced as well. This is when colleges show their warts, if they had any.
• Arrange for an overnight visit. This is when you get the most depth. You get a feel of what the school administration want you to see and what the students want you to see.
• Visit during Monday through Thursdays. Most classes are offered Mondays through Thursdays. By visiting on a Friday, you chance catching faculty and students on the weekend mindset, already on their way off-line.
• Visit during late summer and early fall, as most colleges begin their academic year in mid-August. You won’t miss out on any school days in your high school, as most high schools begin their academic year after Labor Day.
• Visit during Finals Week. This is when all the students are hitting the books. You will see where they do their studying and if they are actually studying. Is it in their dorm room? Is it in the library? Is it in the labs? Is the environment conducive to studying?
• Visit when you can leave a paper trail. The Admission Office has an all-important visit card that you will need to fill out and submit. If you are seriously interested in applying to this college down the road, then they will need to see that you took the time to visit. So visit when the Admission Office is open.

Don’t –

• Visit during the summer, when school is not in session and the campus is dead. An empty campus does not allow for any student interaction.
• Visit during intersession, winter break, spring break, etc. Some faculty and students might still be on campus, but most of them will be home with family. You can’t get the feel of a lively campus.

Last Word – 

Some factors are out of your control. If you are a junior or senior in high school, you are limited to the number of days during the academic year when you can visit a college campus without missing out on your own school work. Winter break, spring break, holidays that fall during the week may be your only option. There are financial concerns too. Visiting campuses involve multiple expenses that may include an overnight stay at a hotel. Your parents or guardian may not be able to take off from their jobs during the most optimum time for you. Planning ahead will allow you to spread out the financial burden of visiting multiple campuses and yield you the most options.