College Visits

The college application process encompasses several factors beyond the Common App screen; in fact, it starts way before that. Knowing where and why you’re applying plays a key role in the process. For example, when making a friend or finding a partner, you should check for compatibility across several categories. For most applicants applying for an undergraduate program, the college they choose will be home for the next four years. Many applicants opt for an in-person evaluation of a school they may apply to by taking college visits.  

Location: Where do you want to be? 

Academics, sports, Greek life, and clubs may be important aspects of the college experience; however, simple factors like the location and environment of the college matter equally. For most applicants, location dictates which colleges they’ll apply to. This could start with something general like distance from home. If you want to stay close to home CUNY, SUNY or private local schools might be suitable choices. If you’re open to leaving home, you’ll look into upstate or out-of-state schools. In and out of state, attending college in a city or a suburban area affects the type of campus a college has. Schools in bustling cities like New York City or Boston tend to have open campuses that mix in with the cities. In a more suburban area, schools may have a more closed-off campus where students don’t see much of the surrounding area; Hofstra University and Adelphi University are examples. Another factor to keep in mind with location is climate. Whether you prefer four seasons, colder temperatures year-round, or warmer weather, the location of a college can give you a good idea of what to expect. While pictures and videos paint a picture of what different cities, states, and campuses are like visiting them yourself helps you gauge where you’d like to be. In-person, you can also explore the surrounding area and decide if you could see yourself there.  

Size: Finding your fit 

The size of a college or university significantly shapes your college experience. Size impacts, class sizes, activities, and socialization. Small colleges typically have under 5000 students, a medium-sized college consists of around 5000 to 15,000, and a large school typically has over 15,000 students (IvyWise). A smaller school may provide an experience closer to high school which may fit students who prefer a close-knit community. A larger school may be overwhelming for some, but for others provides a lively college experience with plenty of activities, people to meet, and exciting sports games. A medium-sized school provides a happy medium between the two, with plenty of activities and a balance between lectures and intimate class settings. Visiting a small, medium, and large school may help you make more of these statistics and understand what the difference between a small and medium school feels like. 

Student Body: Who goes there? 

Based on personal experience, visiting a college campus helps you understand the kinds of students that attend that college. While it’s difficult to label the entire student body accurately, visiting helps you see the school’s diversity level of diversity and its student life. Asking your tour guides about their academic interests, club involvement, hobbies, and favorite activities can tell you plenty about what a typical student is like and give you insight into what life at that college is like. Even within your tour group, you can see what kinds of students are interested in school. When I visit a school< I’m particularly interested in seeing a diverse student body, including international students. You should feel that you could see yourself fitting into the social culture of a school before applying and visiting it can help you determine that.  

Visiting: Road Trips and Alternatives 

Visiting schools looks different for everyone depending on if you’re visiting local schools 30 minutes away, driving hours out of state, or flying. As someone applying to several schools in different states, visiting every school wasn't ideal because college visits can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, visiting a school or two in one area may be a wiser choice. For example, you could visit Boston University and apply to schools in Boston now that you have a general idea of the city’s feel and only visit those schools after being accepted. Of course, traveling to another state might not be feasible for everyone, so virtual tours and webinars might serve as solid alternatives. If you’re a sophomore or junior looking for something to do over upcoming breaks, consider scheduling a college visit. For seniors going through the application process, college visits should make their way onto your winter and spring break to-do lists. 

Understanding Small vs. Medium vs. Large Colleges | IvyWise