Before:

How do you schedule a visit?

• Contact the school's admissions office. Most colleges can set up visits by e-mail, Web or phone.
• Watch for scheduled visit days on the school's Web site or in the mailings sent to you.
• Ask about meeting with professors, attending a class or chapel service and spending a night in the dorm when you schedule a visit.

When is the best time to visit?

• Admission Day/Weekend — these scheduled visit days are for you to visit campus with other prospective students. Planned activities may include campus tours, student/faculty panels, an overnight stay in the dorms and class attendance.
• Departmental Visit Day — these scheduled visit days are run separately by each department or academic major. They are similar to admission days, except with fewer students and a more focused agenda, centering on that department or major.
• Personal Visit — this is a visit that you schedule through the admissions office to come by yourself or with your parents. Personal visits allow for more one-on-one interaction with admissions counselors, faculty and current students than the other types of visit days.
• Avoid visiting during summer since there are fewer classes and activities.

What kind of research should you do before you visit?

• Start the process with some media research.
  • Read the packet of materials sent by the college.
  • Browse the school's website to take note of the campus calendar to see event occurring during your visit that you want to attend. Read some of the news stories about what's happening. Check out departmental pages that interest you. Look through the campus clubs and activities pages.
  • Read the student newspaper if it is available online. Campus news stories and student columns give you a flavor of campus attitudes about issues on campus and beyond.
  • Search for information about the college through an Internet search engine.
• Review a student handbook. Many schools have it on their Web site. A student handbook includes rules, policies and guidelines.
• Talk with current students or recent alumni if you know any. They can suggest campus activities to check out or questions to ask.

What should I take with me on a visit?

• Information packets the school has sent or any information you have collected about the school. Organize it in a folder.
• A list of questions to ask students and another list of questions to ask admissions counselors or professors. Review the suggested list of questions listed below.
• Application and samples of your work if you are required to do an admissions interview for acceptance into the school or an academic department.
• Parents if they are available at attend.

During:

What should I do during a campus visit?

• Take a campus tour, which usually explains the college's history and traditions, and shows you campus facilities and resources.
• Meet with an admissions counselor to talk about the application process and personalized needs regarding financial aid, academic and extracurricular interests and questions you may have. Some colleges allow you to meet with financial aid counselors and academic advisers.
• Attend a class, especially one in the department that is of interest to you.
• Try to visit on a chapel day, if chapel attendance is required by the college.
• Stay overnight in a dorm, eat in the cafeteria and spend time with current students. Admissions counselors can arrange overnight stays and meetings with students.
• Collect printed information about departments, majors and activities that interest you. Copies of the student handbook and course catalog are usually available.
• Meet with faculty in your department of interest. Shadow a student who is in your intended major, so you can see what an average day looks like in that program. Admissions counselors can help make these arrangements.

What should I watch for on campus?

• What students wear to classes. Is it casual or more formal?
• What students do during the day between classes. Are they inside or outside? Are they studying, playing football or chatting?
• How much interaction students have with their professors.
• Where students spend most of their time. See where they hang out and where they eat their meals.
• Local stores, churches and social places.
• Where do students study? Is the library a good place to find resources? Are computer labs readily available (especially if you don't have your own computer), and are study areas quiet?

What questions should I ask students during a campus visit?

• Do students stay on campus during the weekends or is it a commuter campus? What weekend activities are there?
• Are dorms closed over holiday breaks? If so, are there exceptions for international students or students who are far from home.
• What is it like living in the dorms? Are they clean?
• How much time do students spend studying? When and where do they study?
• Is there anywhere I can get some private, alone time?
• Is there anywhere I can go to interact with others?
• What safety precautions are on campus? Do students feel safe walking alone at night? Is the campus well-lit? Does campus security offer escorts? Are dorms locked?
• What churches do students attend and when do they go?
• What kind of interaction do students have with professors outside of class?
• What types of campus ministries are available? Are there small groups, Bible studies or mission opportunities?
• How does the meal plan work?
• Does the campus have computer labs available? Do dorm rooms have high-speed Internet access for students with their own computers?

What questions should I ask professors or admissions staff?

• What types of student services are available like a health center, learning center, counseling, etc.?
• How do I register for classes and find housing?
• What is a typical class size?
• How do students travel to and from school? Is there a shuttle to an airport? Is there a carpool or ride bulletin board?
• Where do students shop?
• Is there a way for me to get to the store or church without a car?

After:

What should I do after my visit?

• Write down how you feel initially after the visit. What did you like and dislike? What surprised you? Did you feel welcome and comfortable interacting with students and staff? Did you feel safe? Does the school offer classes and activities that interest you?
• Make a list of important dates and facts about the school's application process.
• Organize all printed material about each college in a folder.
• Talk with your parents about the visit and compare notes.
• Create pro/con lists for each school you visit for comparison.