The Campus Visit
Before you leave home …
□ Seniors at CCS are provided two excused absences for the purpose of visiting colleges.
Remember: Check the CCS calendar for our four day weekends.
□ Many schools have special weekend events and tours. Take advantage of these.
□ Allow sufficient time for a college visit, preferably a full day and not less than a half day at
each college.
□ Familiarize yourself with the college catalog or website before you arrive on campus
□ Take a copy of your resume with you. (See sample in appendix)
□ Give careful attention to your appearance, grooming, and conduct. The campus interview
facilitates “putting a face” with a name.
While on campus …
☼ Take a guided tour of campus, and if time allows, explore for yourself.
☼ Visit classes and talk with students on your own. Ask them questions.
☼ Assess the cleanliness, comfort, noise level, privacy, and safety of the housing.
☼ Eat a meal in the dining hall or student commons.
☼ Check on campus security and obtain crime statistics.
☼ Pick up a copy of the college newspaper. Read bulletin boards for insight into student
Interests and upcoming events.
☼ Talk with a professor or two.
☼ Check out other areas of interest such as fine arts facilities, the newspaper office, labs
music, science, language), student services, and extracurricular options.
☼ Visit the bookstore to see what types of non-required reading material is available. This is
an indicator of the academic caliber and general interest of the students.
☼ Take notes. After you have visited, make some notes while the information is fresh.
Sample Questions for the Campus Visit
Academics:
□ What is the average class size?
□ Who will teach freshmen courses, graduate assistants or full professors?
□ What is the faculty advisor system like? How easy is it to meet with advisors?
□ Are professors’ offices located in areas with classrooms so I can have easy access for help, or are
they far away?
□ Are professors readily accessible for help? (Ask this of other students as well)
□ Do professors mingle with students?
Campus:
□ Does the campus appeal to you? Size? Is it easy to get around? Will you need a car? Is there a
parking problem?
□ Are the students friendly, intellectual, preppie, studious. Is the campus clean, active, etc?
Housing:
□ Is on campus housing a problem?
□ Are freshmen required to live in a dorm?
□ How is housing assigned? Is there a separate application? Deadline? Deposit?
□ How are roommates assigned? Can you request a particular roommate?
□ How many students per room? Are singles available?
□ Are the study areas in the dorm satisfactory? Are there “study hours” or “quiet rooms?”
□ How is security handled? Ask for a crime report.
Students:
□ What drew the student to this college?
□ What does the student like about the school? Dislike?
□ How demanding is the workload?
□ How would the student describe the social life?
□ What is the faculty-student relationship from his/her point of view?
College Visit Summary Sheet
(Make copies for each school)
F Name of School: ___________________________________________________
F Name of Interviewer: _______________________________________________
(Remember to send thank you note within 10 days)
F Address:____________________________________________________________
F Telephone: ________________________ Fax: __________________________
Fill in chart using a scale of 1,2,3,4,5 (1 lowest; 5 highest)
|
Student Body |
Academics |
Housing |
Other Facilities |
|
appearance |
commitment |
residence life |
library |
|
friendliness |
research opportunities |
dining halls |
special services (tutorials) |
|
enthusiasm |
faculty |
safety |
labs (science) |
|
diversity |
curriculum |
roommate procedures |
fine arts |
|
|
workload |
single/double/triple |
computers |
|
|
academic requirements |
|
recreational facilities |
|
|
|
|
student center |
|
|
|
cultural opportunities |
|
Follow us on: