College Visits
With the due date of college applications creeping up on seniors, the need to decide what college is best for each individual is becoming more and more of a reality.
College visits are a key way students determine if a school is right for them.
“Overall, [the purpose of a college visit is] to get a feel for whether or not you would feel comfortable at the school. If you will be potentially be there for the next several years of your life, you want to make sure it is somewhere you are comfortable and somewhere that will ultimately help you to meet your long-term goals,” Kevin Floress, counselor said.
It is very important to know what the goal of the college visit is for the student. The Urbana High School (UHS) counselors have many resources to help students figure out what questions to ask to get the information they need about any college.
Floress said, “Don’t just show up and expect that they will tell you everything that you should know. Have an agenda and make sure that you accomplish everything on the agenda.”
Choosing a college is a very important investment of money. While education is a good thing to spend hard earned cash on, people should make sure they are getting the best education possible for them. There is no one “perfect” college that fits every student. Prospective students need to do their research to find the college that fits them well, so they get the most out of their investment.
Going on campus visits, looking at how your credentials stack up against admitted students, and researching the schools to find out if you think they are a good fit with you are the most important things to consider when picking a college according to Floress.
Obviously, with the current economy, the cost of a college is a big part of any decision. However, students should apply to any school that they think fits them well because they may end up receiving financial aid that makes the college cheaper than other colleges considered by the student.
At this point, the most important thing to remember is to apply to the colleges you are interested in and to take the applications seriously. One simple piece of information gathered through research or a visit could put a college low on your list at the top, so keep your options open by having good relationships with all colleges.
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