College Visits & Admission Interviews
Our College Tours
Visiting colleges is one of the most fun parts of being a college counselor. Seeing them in person helps us understand what makes each school special and what type of student would thrive there. Each member of the College Admission Coach team visits many schools per year. Here is our College Visit Gallery.
Your College Tours
Seeing a college yourself is the best way to get a feel for the campus and determine whether it is a perfect fit for you. When possible, visit while school is in session so you can sit in on classes, meet some students and professors, attend a sporting event of performance, eat the dorm food, and perhaps arrange an overnight stay in the dorms with a student host. Here are some resources for making the most of your college visit:
Virtual College Tours
Finances or a busy schedule may make it unrealistic for you to visit some of the colleges you are considering. Virtual college tours are the next best option if you can't be there in person. The pandemic caused most universities to upgradde their virtual tour options. Whenever possible, sign up for a virtual tour through the college's website. If you sign that way, up the college has a record of your attendance which they count toward demonstrated interest (proof that you are serously considering attending the school.)
Admission Interviews
If you are a junior or senior on a college visit, you may get the opportunity to have an admissions interview. If an admissions interview is part of your agenda, practice in advance with your college counselor or volunteer interviewer with whom you feel comfortable. Here are a list of likely college admission interview questions and How to Nail Your College Admissions Interview from FastWeb. Be sure to send a thank-you note after your interview!
Visiting colleges is one of the most fun parts of being a college counselor. Seeing them in person helps us understand what makes each school special and what type of student would thrive there. Each member of the College Admission Coach team visits many schools per year. Here is our College Visit Gallery.
Your College Tours
Seeing a college yourself is the best way to get a feel for the campus and determine whether it is a perfect fit for you. When possible, visit while school is in session so you can sit in on classes, meet some students and professors, attend a sporting event of performance, eat the dorm food, and perhaps arrange an overnight stay in the dorms with a student host. Here are some resources for making the most of your college visit:
- Big Future's campus visit guide
- IECA "10 Ways to Test Drive a College"
- Guide to Visiting Colleges courtesy of Oregon Episcopal School
- The National Association for College Admission Counseling provides great resources for student. Check out their advice regarding campus visits and their visit checklist
Virtual College Tours
Finances or a busy schedule may make it unrealistic for you to visit some of the colleges you are considering. Virtual college tours are the next best option if you can't be there in person. The pandemic caused most universities to upgradde their virtual tour options. Whenever possible, sign up for a virtual tour through the college's website. If you sign that way, up the college has a record of your attendance which they count toward demonstrated interest (proof that you are serously considering attending the school.)
- Campus Reel has student-produced virtual tours
- Campus Tours offers interactive maps and links to school-produced videos
- The College Tour is another option
Admission Interviews
If you are a junior or senior on a college visit, you may get the opportunity to have an admissions interview. If an admissions interview is part of your agenda, practice in advance with your college counselor or volunteer interviewer with whom you feel comfortable. Here are a list of likely college admission interview questions and How to Nail Your College Admissions Interview from FastWeb. Be sure to send a thank-you note after your interview!