How important is visiting a college that I'm considering?
College visits are very important. However, there are often times not entirely necessary until you're ready to make a decision. I definately think if it's possible at all it's important to go. I always use the analogy, as I say to teenagers "do you like to go shopping?" And if you never went shopping you wouldn't know what you like and don't like. And I often remind them that it's not just universities that are looking, they're looking too. They should oftentimes sign up for tours, interviews, information sessions, and definately go if they can. And if they can't afford to go far away, they should at least go in their areas. Even if they're not planning to apply to the school. They need to get on the campuses, walk around, get the feel for it, see what it's like. And I often suggest moving to away from the tours, because colleges market their schools. If you go to their websites you never see a rainy day. So you want to remember to bridge away from the tour a little bit, go to a dorm, ask students questions, get the real picture, hang out in front of the library, catch somebody coming or going, have lunch at the student union, talk to students. assert yourselve a little bit, find out what you can, and try to get a real picture.
