Your College Visit and Interview

THE COLLEGE VISIT

Of all the things one does in the process of selecting a college, visiting the campus probably has the greatest impact in determining which college you will choose.  No student should select a college without having spent some time on the campus.  Your visit should be planned in order to be productive.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT  College admissions counselors do not like to be surprised. You will get more out of your visit if you contact the admissions office prior to your visit.  It is suggested that you contact the college at least two or three weeks in advance. Ask about special programs or open houses designed for prospective students. These provide an opportunity to talk to many people during one visit i.e. professors, admissions, and financial aid.

DO SOME HOMEWORK  Review the college’s web site. Know what is offered and be somewhat familiar with the school before your visit. This will aid you in gaining more from your visit. Make a list of what you want to see.

NOTIFY THE HIGH SCHOOL  If you are going to miss school, inform the attendance office two or three days in advance. This is an excused absence but you are responsible for making up all work.

WHO SHOULD MAKE THE VISIT?  Your parents should attend the visitation with you. They are interested and can help you evaluate the college. You have a better chance of “selling” the college of your choice to your parents is they see it.

SEE THE SCHOOL IN SESSION  Visit when school is in session, not on a holiday. Ask to sit in on some classes. Try to arrange to be there for the weekend to get a sense of the weekend activities that are available. This will also allow you to access housing, the dining hall, and the types of students attending.

ASK THE STUDENTS  Quiz the college students on their feelings about the college, what they like and dislike about the college, what one thing they would change, and whether they would choose the same school again. (If not, find out which school they would select. Chances are it may appeal to you.)

WHO ELSE SHOULD YOU TALK TO?  Ask to speak with the financial aid office if appropriate and by all means, ask for a personal interview through the admissions office. This will give you an opportunity to have all your specific questions answered.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?   You have made your appointment and find yourself on campus. What are the clues that you’re looking for to help solve the mystery of selecting the “perfect” college?

LOOK FOR YOUR KIND OF PEOPLE  The student body should be active, involved, and diverse . Students should also be excited about the college and their major. Talk to as many students as possible in order to get a real flavor for the types of students on campus-then decide if it is a good fit for you.

IS THE FACULTY MORE THAN AN EDUCATIONAL FIXTURE POURING OUT FACTS?  Remember, you are most interested in your specific curriculum. Don’t let Mr. Personality, the psychology instructor, sell you on the school if your major is going to be economics. Determine if the faculty is caring and warm. Find out if they are easily accessible. Check the student/faculty ratio.

LOOK FOR ADEQUATE FACILITIES  Check the dormitory rooms (and the type of living arrangements available),  inspect the classrooms to determine if they are clean, well-lighted and spacious enough to spend nine months out of every year for the next four years. As you walk around the campus, check the general upkeep of the grounds and exteriors of the buildings. They don’t need to be new but they should not be in need of extensive repair.  Also, check to see if there is adequate technology on campus and/ or wireless capability.    

One of the more important facilities to check is the library. Chances are that you are going to spend a great deal of your waking hours, when not in class, in the library. Is it comfortable? Are there ample quiet rooms to study in? Do they have adequate computer availability, and a strong breadth of research material?  Do they have convenient access to a library loan program when they do not have the materials you may need?

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER IMPORTANT FACILITIES?  Are there other study areas? Sometimes your room is too small and the library too quiet. Are there religious opportunities on campus or in town?  How close is the nearest town? Are there places to walk and jog? What about doctors and dentists?

WHAT ABOUT THE SOCIAL LIFE?  Talk to the students to get a feel for the quality of the social life. Check the school’s calendar of social events. See when these activities occur. A limited social life on weekends might suggest that there are not many students on campus on weekends. How would this affect you? Are you going to be many hours from home at a “suitcase” college.

HOW DO I MAKE UP MY MIND?

KEEP NOTES  Keep a list of your questions and write the responses down.

SPACE YOUR VISITS  If you are visiting a specific college more than once, try to visit at different times of the year.

EVALUATE YOURSELF  Determine what you are looking for academically. How academically challenging should the school be, how large, located where, private or public, co-educational, how expensive, etc? What is the atmosphere of the school? Would you like to live on that campus with those students and faculty for the next four years?

DETEMINE THE COST OF THE EDUCATION TO YOU 
If you have financial need it may cost no more out of your pocket for private versus public education. Entering into that picture may be how the aid will be met. In other words, look at the true college cost to you. Possibly you qualify for a special talent scholarship. Is it available and are you eligible?

DON’T FOCUS ON THE WRONG ITEMS  When evaluating a college visit, do not be influenced by the weather, the tour guide’s personality (or lack of), or some other prospective student you met on that day. Focus on your true priorities.  It is probably a good idea to establish a checklist of your priorities to help you evaluate each college as you visit.

THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW  

I have been granted an interview!  What will take place? What do I need to know? What should I do at the interview? These are some of the questions that frequently go through the minds of students. Listed below are some points that should help you in the interview process:

WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW?  Realize that the interview is an opportunity for you to evaluate the college while the college is evaluating you. Be on time, dress appropriately, and take with you an informal transcript including your class rank, admissions testing results, and a list of your co-curricular activities. If appropriate, prepare a resume.

WHO IS INTERVIEWED?  Your parents are welcome but you are the one being interviewed. Your parents should not be the center of attention.

 BE PREPARED  Review the college’s website and avoid asking questions that are clearly answered on the website. However, do not be afraid to ask for more information on any subject that is important to you. Be familiar with your application. You may be asked to explain in greater detail some point made in the application. Be ready to talk about yourself – your interests, your accomplishments, your goals, your reading and study habits, your personal strengths and weaknesses and your interest in college. You may be asked any of the following questions:
1. Why do you want to go to college and why do you want to go to this particular college?
2. Why should the college accept you? What do you have to offer?
3. Why do you want a college education?
4. What have you read lately? (Be prepared to discuss it!)
5. What do you do with your time outside of school?
6. What are your favorite courses? Why?
7. What is your intended major in college? How did you get interested in this area?
8. Watch for this one: “Tell me a little about yourself.”
9. What is your biggest gripe?
10. What one thing in the world would you change?
11.What type of employment have you held?
12.What do you expect will be the hardest part of going off to college?

ASK SOME QUESTIONS  This is your opportunity to ask all the unanswered questions you have.
1. Ask about curriculum.
2. Do graduate assistants teach the freshmen?
3. What special attention do you give your students?
(Class advisors, counseling, orientation, etc.)
4. What facilities are available for disabled students if appropriate?
5. Are you on a special calendar such as the 4-1-4?  Do you have a junior year abroad? Do you have an exchange program with neighboring colleges?
6. Ask the question that is bothering you. If you have heard the social life is poor, explore this with the interviewer. This is your chance to ask pointed questions.
7. Ask about admissions – see if it is worth your time to apply.
8. Ask about job placement.
9. If you plan on graduate school, ask what percentage of graduates are accepted to the type of graduate program in which you plan to continue.
10. Ask about the co-curricular activities and have the interviewer put you in touch with a resource person for your particular field of interest, be it academics or athletics.
11. Ask any questions on any area yet to be covered, such as financial aid, rules of the college, admissions, etc.
12. Ask about living arrangements. Are the dormitories coed? Is there any special interest housing?
Take some time before you go for an interview to think about how you would answer these questions. Being articulate and well organized in your responses can only serve to enhance the impressions you make.

During the interview, try to be natural and relaxed.  Maintain your composure, and make eye contact.  It is most important that you be honest. Giving false information will work against you later on when the interviewer does his follow-up research. This is the time that you sell yourself. If you have a particular strength that has not come out during the interview, bring it out. If your strength is a musical instrument, you can ask about practice facilities.

It was mentioned earlier that you should dress appropriately. Sloppy dress suggest that you do not care about the impression you are making nor, therefore, about the interview itself.

If you feel the interview did not go well, ask for a second interview. Depending on the college, the interview may be crucial to your acceptance or rejection.

Record the name and phone number of the interviewer, and take time several days after the interview to send a polite thank you note.  It is good manners and will help to reinforce a positive impression with the interviewer.

Lastly, it should be mentioned that there is no one “correct” college for a student.  However, there is probably a particular category of school that best suits each student.  The college visit and interview greatly enhance one’s chances of selecting the appropriate category and thus, a college which will provide an enjoyable and productive undergraduate experience.