Tag Archives: best fit colleges

5 Blunders to Avoid During Your College Campus Tour

Leave a reply

Visiting the campus or going on a guided college campus tour can provide insights into the institution and help you make an informed decision. To ensure you have a productive and meaningful visit, we want to share our insights into the top 5 don’ts to avoid during your college tour:

 

1. Dismissing the Surrounding Community

explore local community during your college campus tourWhile the campus itself is a vital aspect, understanding the local environment is equally crucial. The community surrounding the college will be your home away from home, so take the opportunity to explore it. Find a nice café or a restaurant near the campus. Take a stroll in the surrounding neighborhood. Maybe strike up a conversation or two with the locals. Learning about the city or the local area’s safety, amenities, and cultural offerings may impact your overall college experience.

 

2. Not Engaging with Current Students

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid is not engaging with current students during your college tour. These individuals can provide valuable insights into campus life, academic rigor, extracurricular opportunities, and the overall student experience. By interacting with them, you can gain a more authentic understanding of the college’s culture and whether it aligns with your aspirations and goals. Maybe you will even make a few friends before you become part of the community!

 

3. Skipping Important Facilities and Resources

check out other parts of the campus during your campus tourAvoid the temptation to overlook essential facilities and resources on campus. While the tour guide may highlight some key locations, take the initiative to explore academic buildings, libraries, research facilities, and recreational spaces. By skipping these areas, you might miss out on crucial information regarding study environments, research or career resources, and overall campus support.

 

 

4. Asking Generic Questions during Campus Tour

Failing to ask insightful questions is a missed opportunity for gathering important information. Do your homework before a tour. Check out the college’s website. Prepare a few questions you’d like to learn more about. Asking questions allows you to delve deeper into specific aspects of the college and provides clarity on areas that may be crucial to your college experience. Sometimes, the most important question could be as simple as “Where can I get the best food?”

 

5. Relying Solely on the College Campus Tour Guide

While college tour guides are knowledgeable and helpful, it’s essential to avoid relying solely on their perspectives. They may provide a positive and enthusiastic portrayal of the college, but it’s important to seek a well-rounded understanding. If you have the opportunity, interact with staff members, faculty, admissions officers, students, or alumni to gain a broader range of experiences and opinions. This will enable you to form a more balanced and comprehensive view of the college.

To learn more about a college through its alumni, set up an informational interview!

 

A few final insights into a successful college campus tour

Being on the college campus is an invaluable opportunity to evaluate colleges and determine which one is the best fit for you. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can ensure a more thorough and insightful visit. A bonus tip: make sure you, the student, do most of the work and planning. You (not your parents) will spend the next 4-5 years of your life on this college campus, so gather essential information, get a feel for the university, and make an informed decision. Use these guidelines to make the most of your campus visits and find the college that will provide the ideal environment for your educational journey.

 

Not sure how to build a balanced college list and maximize your admissions success? Schedule a 1-hour personalized college planning session today with an experienced admissions counselor!

Admitted! Which College Offer Should I Accept?

Leave a reply

Congratulations! Around this time of the year, all of us at Team Insight have the privilege to share the joy of our students and families as they receive acceptance letters. Now comes the next big question: “which school should I go to?”

Didn’t get into your top-choice college? Check out our articles on Waitlist and Appeal.

Visiting the colleges you’ve been admitted to is a great opportunity to help inform you about what college is the best fit for you. Many colleges will have an admit visit day—where students across the country can come and visit the schools and programs they were admitted to before they decide which one to attend in the fall. These visits are extremely helpful and informative. For the student, this is your time to really experience the school and see if this is the place you will call home for the next four years.

 

As you go on your visits, it’s important to take into consideration a few things. Ask yourself a few questions—

 

location matters when you are deciding which college to go toLocation/Living experience:

Do you like the campus? What is the dorm situation like? Where do most freshmen live? What food choices do you have- dining halls, cafés, grocery options? Do most students live on campus all 4 years? What are the housing options around campus? What are the different transportation options on campus/ to and from campus?

 

 

 

Community/Extracurricular experience:

What activities are there offered for you as a new student to get plugged into the community? Do they have clubs and organizations you would want to join? When and what resources do they have for mental health/ health?

 

Major/Career experience:learn what support you will have for your potential major and future career

Who is your counselor for your major? How often do you meet with them? What help do you get on your graduation plan and registering for courses? How do you get connected to the tutoring center if you need help with coursework? What opportunities do they offer current students for career exploration/internships/resume help/job fairs? What opportunities do they offer to help with graduate school applications?

 

The next month is an exciting time as you are deciding on which community you will be investing in for the next 4+ years. Remember, this is the place where you will gain the skills you need for the next place of your journey and a place where you will choose to invest your time and resources as well. Pay attention to your own feelings around this choice and be sure to think about where you will be happy and thrive as you pursue your degree and step into your career!

Read more: Explaining “SIR” – Statement of Intent to Register

 

Written by Jenny Bloom

This article is written by Insight Senior Counselor Jenny Bloom.

Jenny has worked with a variety of students since 2012 to help them take the right steps to achieve their academic goals. Part of her philosophy is to guide students to consider how they will build and hone their skills and talents to make a difference in the world around them. Contact Insight Education today to schedule an initial consultation with Jenny. Read her full bio here.