The Campus Visit: First Impressions Count New York NY

The Campus Visit: First Impressions Count

The same goes for choosing a college. While a school may look good on paper, you might be in for a shock when you actually step on campus for the first time. Perhaps the freshman dormitories look like they should be condemned, or maybe the campus is even better than you expected. You wouldn't be able to see these potential deal-breakers from the pages of a glossy catalog featuring happy-go-lucky coeds under the flowing branches of a wispy willow tree.

While these visuals may seem like an exaggeration, they are a possibility. That's why you should try to visit every college on your list.

Academics
The best time to visit college campuses is during the school year, when classes are in session. That way, you can see the actual size of a class, the format in which classes are run, and who is teaching (professors or teaching assistants). Can't get there during the school year? No worries. At most schools, classes go on throughout the summer.

When you're there, take a look at the size of the classrooms. Are they large lecture halls that hold more than 100 students? Are they smaller rooms? If you're a self-starter, then large lectures might be OK for you; if you need one-on-one attention, the school you choose should provide small-class learning opportunities.

Author: Amy Ambler

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