Alternatives to Visiting a College in Person
Ten ways to make it work.
You have probably canvassed many college home pages and they are all starting to blur together. Here are some options for researching colleges generated by our team and generous IECA members.
Go to virtual information sessions created by the institution
You may be thinking: boring! But these sessions are an important initial source of basic details about the college. Furthermore, some colleges make a note of your attendance, keeping track of expressed interest by each student.
Check whether the school has additional sessions for the visual and performing arts.
For these meetings, arrive 5-10 minutes early because these meetings can fill up! Look presentable: brush your hair & change out of those PJs!
Keep your video on and camera at eye level, sit up straight, and come prepared with a question or two to ask either in the chat box or live.
Involve your family and keep a journal
Make some popcorn, get cozy, and watch a virtual tour (perhaps projected on your television) with your family.
Do this activity together once a week. Each time, debrief with your family after the tour.
Take notes on the schools you visit.
Go down a rabbit hole of student videos
CampusReel: Sign in for free and gain access to a grab bag of day-in-the-life student tours and tips from students in hundreds of schools across the US.
YouTube: Type in the college name + “you name it” (i.e., dorm life, performing arts, your major, professors, day in the life). Next thing you know hours will have passed.
``Like’’ your schools
Follow all your colleges on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter and stay informed and show the schools that you are interested in them!
Meet other students who are also interested in the school.
Dig deeply into the website
Scope out online events and performances.
Look into student activities, clubs, study abroad options, and internships.
Research the departments of any majors that interest you, read about requirements, and reach out to a faculty member.
Call the college admissions counselor
Admissions counselors are there to help prospective students. Is it hard to pick up the phone? A bit of prep helps. Make a list of questions. Ask about things you really want to know about and whose answers aren’t easily found on the website.
Get the contact information of a student or recent graduate and then have an informal conversation to get a feel for the school.
Use Google Maps to investigate the area around the school
What would you like to explore? Are there fun coffee shops or restaurants nearby?
Drive around nearby campuses
Get a feel for the differences between a small, medium, and large school.
Observe a class
Schools are already offering classes online and this makes it easier to observe a class. Contact your admissions counselor to arrange a virtual observation.
Explore the student reviews on Unigo or College Confidential.
Contact Best Fit Education to learn more about our college advising services.