COLLEGE visits
Colleges continually and actively market themselves in the hopes of attracting a strong applicant pool. One of the most effective (and beneficial) recruitment strategies they adopt is sending admissions officers to visit high schools and represent their respective institutions at college fairs.
TYPES COLLEGE VISITS
There are two types of college visits: On-campus and virtual. Scroll down to access links to the Universities in Florida that are part of the State University System (SUS) with the links to their respective college visits webpage.
Tip #1:
No matter how brief your visit might be, always register with the admissions office to let them know you were there. The fact that you made the effort to physically visit a campus demonstrates an interest in the college. This may possibly make a difference in the eyes of admissions.
Tip #2:
Make notes about your visit during and immediately after. Include things like your general impression as well as details that might help jog your memory later.
REASONS TO MEET WITH COLLEGE REPS
In the college admissions game, finding a great match is a two-way street. While you and your peers are in search of schools that will meet your needs, standards and interests, universities also eagerly seek out students who might be a good fit.
Use these visits as a vital component of your college planning process. After all, you’ll be able to glean first-hand information about various institutions and connect with admissions officers face-to-face.
Students have a chance to meet face-to-face with a rep and ask specific questions.
Students can let the college know they are seriously interested.
In many cases, the reps are admission officers from the college, so students have a unique opportunity to make contact with a person who may be evaluating their application in the future.
The meeting provides students with a specific contact at the college to whom they can send questions.
Sometimes reps, particularly ones from state universities, will give an early read on students' transcripts, test scores and course selections during their visits. This helps students assess their fit at that institution and figure out what they can do to improve their chances of getting in.
REASONS TO GO ON A CAMPUS TOUR & SAMPLE QUESTIONS
A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. A college catalog or website can only show you so much. To really get a feel for the school, you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms.
Learn the basic layout of the campus.
Learn about the amenities offered to students.
Ask questions to the tour guides - these are ALWAYS students. They give a first hand view based off of their experiences.
Sample questions you may ask:
How large are the general education required classes (ENC1101, ENC1102, College Algebra, American History, etc)?
How does a freshman get assigned an academic advisor?
Are there free tutoring services on campus?
Can freshman have cars on campus?
Do most students live on campus?
What are the dorms like? Are there lounges, laundry, and kitchens? Shared or private restrooms?
How is the food?
Can undergraduates work with professors on research?
Do a lot of students belong to fraternities or sororities?
Is it easy to get around campus or get off campus without a car?
What transportation options are there around campus?
Is it a safe area to walk around at night? What kind of safety measures are in place?
Do many students work on or off campus? How easy is it to find a part-time job?
