College Planning Specialists

7 Tips To Make The Most of Your College Visits
If you are even thinking about going to college in the next few years, visiting your potential colleges is one of the most important steps that you can take. Just like buying a car, you always take it for a test drive before you buy it. You will be amazed at what you can learn about a school, in just a few hours. So, to help you get started, here are some tips to make the most of your visits:

1. Start by visiting colleges of all sizes that you are considering. For instance, if you are not sure whether you would like a smaller or larger campus, visit a couple of schools that are close by that represent each type, like a large public school and then a smaller private school. At least now, you’ll have something to compare.

2. Do your homework before you go, and narrow down your choices by using a solid school selection program. You can find some good ones online or contact my office at the address below for our suggestions. Also, make sure that the schools you are considering actually have the major you are interested in. I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often people skip this step.

3. Schedule your visit when school is in session. I can’t stress this one enough, but it is very important to see not only what the campus looks like, but what the students and faculty are like as well. We want to make sure that you will feel like you ‘belong’ once you are there, so we want you to see the student body and not just a bunch of buildings.

4. Make an appointment to take a tour. Schools will have certain times of the day or week set aside to give new people tours. This is always a great place to start. However, don’t be afraid to go with your instincts. If you pull up to the school and realize you just don’t like it, there’s no point sticking around. Also, staying overnight in a dorm, if the school offers it, is a great way to get to really get the college experience.

5. Don’t afraid to leave your tour guide. Once you’ve learned some of the main features of the school, the best way to see the campus is by wandering around on your own for a while. This will give you a chance to see what everything is really like. Be sure to sit in on a class or two, or at least poke your head in the door.

6. Grab a soda or coffee in one of the student lounges. While you’re at it, get something to eat as well. You might as well find out now what the food is like now. Some schools are known for having 5 star cuisines, while others have food that is barely edible. You’re going to be there for four to five years, so this is an important step. We don’t want you to starve!

7. Check out the library, computer lab, gym, and laundry. Even though this isn’t directly related to what you’ll be studying and your major, you’ll be spending plenty of time at all of these areas, so be sure to take a look at them as well.
While this list is not comprehensive, hopefully it will give you a good feel for what each campus is like. Statistics show you will achieve greater success at a school that you are happy at and enjoy attending, so do not assume that all schools are the same. Many students make the mistake of waiting until you hear if you have been accepted or not before arranging a visit. We want to make sure the schools that you apply to are schools that you actually want to attend and most of all, schools you are sure to have fun at.

STUDENTS & PARENTS No. 1 Dream College Is…
…New York University

NYU has been named the No. 1 dream school by the Princeton Review, beating out the usual favorites of Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. But the college hopes and dreams are also accompanied by college worries and fears. The following fun facts were culled from a Princeton Review survey of 3,036 college applicants and 303 parents.

The Top 10 Dream Colleges:

New York University
Harvard University
Stanford University
Yale University
Duke University
Columbia University
Princeton University
University of Notre Dame
Georgetown University
Cornell University

Students’ College Worries: “What is your biggest concern about applying to or attending college?”

33 percent: Will get in, but won’t be able to afford it
28 percent: Won’t get in to first choice college
23 percent: Will attend a college I may regret later
16 percent: Taking out loans and graduating with debt

How will you choose the college you’ll attend?

71 percent: The college with the best overall fit
15 percent: The most affordable college
14 percent: The school with the best academic reputation

College Facts/Information, You Will Not Normally See Released

The Top 3 College Towns In the U.S.A.

When choosing a college, most students look closely at cost, academic excellence, the size of the dorm rooms, and the quality of the food. But how many consider—beyond a passing glance—the off-campus town? If you’re going to live there for at least four years, you should look!

At least, that’s the advice of Collegia, a Wellesley, Massachusetts consulting company that has taken it upon itself to evaluate and rank America’s college towns, reports USA Today. The rankings were based in 14 indices used to assess characteristics of the local and student population, city resources for the college crowd, and social life.

The Top Three College Towns: