The Crucial Step in Choosing the Right College: Why Visiting Campus is Essential

In the whirlwind of college applications, essays, and acceptance letters, deciding where to enroll can feel like the ultimate challenge for high school seniors. With so many factors to consider, from academics to campus culture, making the right choice can seem daunting. However, amidst the chaos, there is one simple yet crucial step that can make all the difference: visiting the campus. Again. Comparing stats, costs, food in the dining hall and the classes you must take for your major are all great things to look at, but you are still missing the vibe. The vibe changes once you have seen several schools, applied and received the ACCEPTED! letter.

At College Sharks, a virtual college consulting platform powered by Annapolis College Consulting, we believe that nothing is more important than experiencing a college firsthand before making a final enrollment decision. While cost and distance may play a role in your decision-making process, we have a one-step rule that can guide you through this pivotal moment: Visit. Here are 6 College Visit Tips.

Visit the college campuses where you were admitted, again.

We understand that visiting multiple colleges can be time-consuming and expensive. However, we urge students to prioritize visiting their top contenders. By reaching out to the admissions office, you may discover opportunities for travel stipends or assistance. While classes are in session, taking a day off school to visit a campus during the week can provide invaluable insights into daily campus life.

Some students may argue that they have already visited a campus in the past and see no need to return. However, we have observed a significant shift in perspective after students are admitted. As a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience, I can attest to the transformative effect of being accepted to a college. It’s a new view, a new perspective as a real student, and it comes after hours of working on the application process….now it is REAL. The experience of visiting a campus as an admitted student is unparalleled and can greatly impact your decision-making process.

Narrow down your list to your top 2-3 schools.

We recommend narrowing down your list to two or three top contenders and investing time in visiting these campuses. The firsthand experience of walking through the campus, attending classes, and interacting with students and faculty can offer unique insights that may not be apparent from brochures or websites. How do you narrow the list down? Look at what is important to your family: cost? distance? and then look at the school with a more powerful microscope:

• Can you easily switch majors?
• What are the outcomes for students in your chosen major?
• What cities are close and what companies from those cities hire students from the program?
• If you come from out of state, what percentage of the students are also from another state?
• What percentage of students in that college/school complete the program?

Ask to speak to a student from the college, from your area and potentially from your major of interest

Visiting a college before making your final enrollment decision is a crucial step in the college admissions process. Trust the experts at College Sharks and prioritize this essential experience.

Here’s to your future!

The college visits video is just one of the bite-sized chunks of content on our College Sharks platform. Check us out! www.collegesharks.com It’s DIY, affordable college consulting powered by ACCOUNT.

Annapolis College Consulting is a premier college consulting firm with several locations including Maryland, Maine, North Carolina and anywhere the internet reaches! www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com