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Featuring Susan C. Christian, dean of enrollment services, Rider University (Lawrenceville, NJ)

Q: When on a campus tour, how can I make the most of my time?

A: How do you determine which College is right for you? After doing all your research and coming up with the list of schools to consider, the best way to determine that is by visiting. A college tour will not only let you see the school first-hand (just to make sure it actually looks like the pictures depicted in the viewbook), but will also give you the opportunity to explore the personality of the campus. After all, each college and university has its own personality comprised of the students and faculty. One question students often ask themselves when trying to decide on a school is "Are the students like me?" The only way to make that determination is by visiting.

So what should you do during the campus visit? The most common way to visit a campus is to contact the admissions office, see what types of visitation programs they offer, and set up an appointment. Most schools will offer daily or frequent information sessions where you will get a brief introduction and overview of the school, have the opportunity to ask questions, and receive a tour of the campus.

Some schools may offer individual appointments or meetings with an admissions representative. I strongly advise connecting with an admissions representative especially if the school is one of your top choices. The interview will give you a chance to obtain more information and ask all of your questions. You may even have the opportunity to find out your chances for admission to the institution. If you're not able to bring a copy of your transcript to date, make sure to review your overall course load, GPA, and standardized testing results. This way, you're not second-guessing your chances of admission if you do get the opportunity to speak with someone.

My next piece of advice: Do your homework before visiting any college campus. Make sure they offer the program of study you may want to pursue, or any other activities or special programs you may be interested in. Use the college visit to help you further your search, not begin it. Be prepared to ask questions and take notes. If you're visiting several schools it may become difficult to remember each college's distinctive characteristics. Taking notes on any special features or highlights will help you recall your visit and provide a summary of your overall impressions. To help complement your notes, you may also want to take pictures. Believe me, it will be worth the effort and you'll be glad you did.

Make an effort when on campus to walk around on your own. Don't be afraid to approach students, and ask them about their experiences. A great way to do so is eating in the Cafeteria. You'll not only get to try out the food, but can obtain great feedback from students who actually attend the institution. Keep in mind, if it's near mid-terms or finals, the student's recollection of their experience might be a bit biased.

A good resource to tap while on campus is a faculty member in the program you may want to pursue. This will give you an accurate representation of what the department has to offer, what the faculty is like, and the opportunity to ask questions.

Another great way to see a campus from the inside is to sit in on a class. Some schools may have organized programs where a current student will take you to class. You may even want to stay overnight to get a feel for the schools you are truly considering.

No matter what type of visit, most can be arranged by contacting the admission office. If you do your homework and make the most of your tour, your ultimate choice will be a great one!

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