As summer comes to an end and the school year begins, you just might be wondering which university to apply to. With all those colleges in the United States and across the globe, you're probably wondering how you can possibly choose which ones might be best for you. There is a reason as to why I'm writing this.
It's very important that you visit the campus first, so you can get a first hand look at the college environment. You may read on Wikipedia that the university is like "totally awesome" and that "it has the best environment," but in the end, those aren't even your opinions. Those are opinions of other people (who are actually biased and favor that said university). After all, when it comes to searching for the right colleges to apply to, don't use Wikipedia. If you want a first-hand look, then by all means apply for a campus tour at that university. If live far away from that university, then check if there are any receptions from that university near where you live. The last resort is to call them and ask questions, which (trust me) they get really annoyed at.
So, you've booked your campus tour...what next? Well, obviously, get to the university. But before you do that, read up on the university a bit. NO DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA!!!! Go to a bookstore and go buy the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Trust me, that book will be your Bible during the entire college application process. Once you've read up on the university from the Fiske Guide to Colleges and NOT WIKIPEDIA, then write down some "Before Campus Visit" notes on a sheet of paper. Write down the Pros and Cons of that university. Do this for every college visit. If you have any questions, write them down and ask one of the tour guides during your campus tour. Tour guides love it when they get asked questions. Their job is to sell the university to you...and it really is their job.
Okay, you're on the campus tour...walking through the campus and observing the environment...STOP LOOKING AT THE HOT GUYS OR GIRLS!!!!!! Please, you're not going to college to find a partner. As you're walking through, take out that "Before Campus Visit" sheet and make a section called "During/After Campus Visit." Self-explanatory, this is where you write down the Pros and Cons about this university AS YOU ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING the university. Listen carefully to what the tour guides are saying, and take note of it too. One of the biggest facts that prospective students miss out on is the class sizes at the university. Do you work better or worse in a large class size? Will you be able to survive in a university that is heavily populated? These are all important factors to take note of. Also, take note of the city that the university is located in. Is it in an urban or rural setting? Do you like urban or rural areas? Do not forget to ask your questions on your "Before Campus Visit" sheet. When you're taking this tour, take note of the students, do they seem friendly, can you see yourself being friends with them? Also, note the Pros and Cons of this university as you experience it.
Now, after the campus tour...If you liked the campus, why don't you just hang around after the tour and take a look around campus. Again, go over your "During/After Campus Visit" notes and decide whether or not you want to apply to this university.
If you want an anecdote about my narrowing my college search, then here you go.
When I first started applying, my counselor told me about Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute. He praised these two universities to the point where I wanted to apply too. So, I made my own "Before Campus Visit" notes and listed the Pros and Cons. RPI already made an impression on me, but I knew I had to visit the campus first. So, I visited both campuses, and I realized that I hated both. WPI was just way too small, and it smelled bad, and it's rankings are low. RPI...it was on a hill in New York...and it wasn't appealing at all. Luckily, I took these two schools off my list.
But I'm sure you are well aware of University of Southern California. I have to admit, I wasn't always a fan of being a Trojan. Well into second semester of my Junior year, I haven't even heard of USC. I had NO intentions of applying there. My counselor told me to visit the campus and give USC a chance. So I did. As I was making my "Before Campus Visit" notes, I told myself there was no way in hell that I would apply to USC. How wrong I was. The minute I walked on campus, I was transfixed at the environment. The campus was neither too big nor too small. Everyone was friendly. And this was all BEFORE my campus tour. My desire to apply to USC increased even more when I went on a campus tour. I learned the history behind USC and learned that USC had pretty high rankings, and what stood out to me the most was the Trojan Family. Once a Trojan, always a Trojan. The Trojan Family is connected in so many ways. Coming from a high school that stressed the word "community," made me realize that USC was the PERFECT university for me. I'm happy to say that I never doubted applying to USC, even my "During/After Campus Visit" notes were clear as to which college was my first choice.
My point is, if you do a campus visit and make your "Before Campus Visit" and "During/After Campus Visit" notes, you'll realize whether or not if you will like the university. But ultimately, it is your decision as to where you want to apply to.
The College Advising Committee is here to help you on the ChadzBoyz forum.
So, you've booked your campus tour...what next? Well, obviously, get to the university. But before you do that, read up on the university a bit. NO DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA!!!! Go to a bookstore and go buy the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Trust me, that book will be your Bible during the entire college application process. Once you've read up on the university from the Fiske Guide to Colleges and NOT WIKIPEDIA, then write down some "Before Campus Visit" notes on a sheet of paper. Write down the Pros and Cons of that university. Do this for every college visit. If you have any questions, write them down and ask one of the tour guides during your campus tour. Tour guides love it when they get asked questions. Their job is to sell the university to you...and it really is their job.
Work & School