1. Meaningful College Visits
Getting the most out of college visits and finding the school that is the best fit for YOU.
Josie Blasdel, Director of Undergraduate Admission

2. Meaningful College Visits
With literally thousands of college to choose from, figuring out which ones should go on your college list is quite a daunting task.
“What are the best colleges for me?”
There is no substitution for first-hand experience and a meaningful, engaging college visit can you help you to find the college that is the right fit for you.
The difference between any campus visit and a MEANINGFUL one is preparing for the visit beforehand. This includes narrowing your search down before making the visit and doing some self-exploration to figure out ‘what are the best colleges for me?’

3. What are the best colleges for me?
Narrow your college search before deciding where you’ll visit.
Talk to your family
Make a wish list – include things like: location, size, academic options, co-curricular program, support programs, career/internship opportunities
Get Advice
Read your mail
Explore online
Go to College Fairs
Once you’ve made a list of possible colleges, visit campuses that are able to meet your needs and will develop your talents to prepare you for a rewarding career.
What ARE the best colleges for you? What does FIT mean?
Finding a college where you FIT means finding a school that not only meets your needs, but is somewhere you are comfortable and can GROW, not only as student, but as a person.
So, how do you narrow down the search?
Talk to your family: have open discussion about your dreams and aspirations. Ask them about any experience they may have with college and what their hopes are for you. It is also important to come to and understanding on certain things (ability for financial support, thoughts on location (distance from home), and expectations they may have
Make a wish list:
Location (distance from home, suburban, urban, rural), size (small, large, medium – what type of atmosphere do you need/want), academic programs, co-curricular programs (athletics, clubs, community service, greek life, study abroad), support programs (tutoring, first generation, financial aid, transition programs)
Get Advice:
Talk to friends, extended family, guidance counselors
Read Your Mail: Colleges are sending you things everyday, check it out
Explore online: You can get an idea of student life, academic programs, admission criteria
Go to College Fairs: just another way to get more info

4. Scheduling the Visit
Set a visit itinerary based upon those things that are important to YOU!
Faculty Meetings and/or Class Observations
Co-Curricular Programs (coaches, directors, coordinators)
Lunch in the dining hall or student center
Select possible dates that work for your family.
Keep in mind that all constituencies may not be available during weekend visits
Personal Visit vs. Group Visit Days
Contact the Admission Office.
Request visit online, over the phone, or via
Once you’ve decided where (or at least the types of schools) you’d like to visit, start scheduling.
Set an ideal visit itinerary based upon those that are important to you and try to make sure you get into contact with everyone you can while on campus.
Select dates that work for you
Make trips when you’re on vacation, use school improvement days or other holidays, check out weekend options
What type of visit should you do?
Personal vs Group Visit
Contac the admission office – make it official

5. Before Visiting Make travel arrangements and needed accommodations
Check with the university to see if local hotels offer special rates for their visitors
Look at the campus before arriving and make sure you know where to park and check-in
Research the college
Check the website and gather quick facts
Put together a list of questions that cover topics important to you
Decide what to wear and plan for the weather
You are making a first impression on the college professional staff and faculty
Wear comfortable shoes, but not pajamas 
Bring an umbrella, jacket, or snow boots
Make travel arrangements
Check google maps before getting in the car and driving. Make sure you know where you’re going and where to go once you get there
If you’ll need overnight accommodations, check with the university to see if they have deals with local hotels
Research the College
You don’t want any surprises when you get to campus, so spend some time on their website before visiting. If you already know the quick facts, this will give you more time to ask the good stuff 
Put together a list of unique questions for each college (some will overlap, but some will be specific to the types of programs offered at that school)
Decide what to wear and plan for the weather
Most campus visits include a walking tour that lasts an hour or more. Be prepared. If you or your family have mobility issues, tell the admission office ahead of time so they can make accommodations.
You’re checking out us, but we’re checking out you too – dress appropriately.

6. During the Visit Check-in when you arrive
Be invested and interested during the entire visit
In addition to your parent’s questions, make sure you ask some of your own
This could be where you spend the next 4 years of YOUR life
Talk to students, faculty and staff
“McKendree is a lot more than me”
Take notes and pictures
You’ll cover a lot of information and see lots of things – make sure you remember
Ask Questions
Make sure they know what’s important to you
Get a feel for the “Vibe” of the campus
Check-IN
WE NEED TO KNOW YOU’RE HERE
If you’re early or late, know that you may have to wait or might miss part of the visit you had scheduled. If at all possible, call to let us know.
Students – be invested
Your parents will have questions, but this IS YOUR VISIT, pay attention. Ask those things that are important to you. You might chat with your parents in the car beforehand to let them know what you hope to ask
Talk to EVERYONE!
Take Notes and Pictures
Ask Questions
don’t just ask to ask, but make sure you are asking questions that let us know what is important to you. Admission professionals know a little about a lot – we can put you into contact with the right people while you’re on campus.
Take time to get a vibe of the campus culture and life. How does it feel? Are you comfortable –warm fuzzy feeling

7. Visit again… and again… and again…
After the Visit
Follow up
Complete any tasks discussed with your admission counselor:
Make application, Send transcripts, Complete Net Price Calculator
Ask additional questions you may have thought of after leaving the campus
Send thank you notes to anyone that helped you along the way
Reflect
Talk with your family about what you liked and what you hated
Make a list of pros and cons so that you can easily compare schools
Picture yourself at each school – can you see yourself as a student there
Visit again… and again… and again…
Follow up
Complete needed tasks: application, sending transcripts, etc.
Send any additional questions that you may have to the admission counselor
sometimes, you come up with the best stuff on your ride hom
Send thank you notes or other comments to those that helped with your visit. Complete post-visit surveys if needed
REFLECT on the visit
What did you like, what didn’t you like – what are the pros and cons of this school
Did you like the campus? The way it looked, the way it felt? Could you see yourself as a student there?
VISIT AGAIN – AGAIN -- AGAIN

8. Director of Undergraduate Admission
Helpful websites:
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Josie Blasdel
Director of Undergraduate Admission
McKendree University