The Zinch Report

More tips for those of you visiting college campuses. 

Attend the information session and make sure your questions are answered.

Sometimes the information session is a rehashing of the information you received, or will receive, on the tour. If you’ve made the trip to the campus, make sure you leave with your questions answered. The information session is your chance to have an admissions officer for an hour. You will not have this opportunity again. Ask about the admissions process, financial aid, drinking on campus, diversity, athletics – hit ‘em with the hard questions. It your best and perhaps only opportunity to do so.

Stick around!

If you’re not rushing off to another school that same day, see what events, games, lectures or exhibits are going on that day. Eat in a dining hall. Talk to current students. Soak in as much as you can. This is difficult if there are no summer courses going on but make the best of the time you have.

Make notes as you leave.

By the time you get home again, many schools may have blended together. And even if you think you've got everything straight, your parents may remember details differently. If you’re seeing many schools in one trip, it can be challenging to remember the nuances of these institutions. Keep track of your impressions of individual schools and further questions you want to get answered. If you’re taking the time to visit, spend a moment to jot down a few notes. They may come in handy later on especially when it comes time to apply.