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If
you're plagued by worries that your dream school
will contain zero atmosphere, play it safe by
going on a tour of the campus.
Ask Away on Campus Visiting Day!
By Feona Sharhran
Huff
November 2000
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- "When you're
making a decision about college," says Julia
Geiger, a sophomore history student and tour guide
at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, "you
have to realize that you will be investing the
next four years of your life there. That's a lot
of time."
It's no wonder you're suffering
from those "where-I'll-live" worries!
Ease your mind, and learn volumes about a potential
U. by taking a personal visit. Such a tour will
help you decide if a school will suit your academic,
financial, and social needs.
Before you make the trip,
prepare some questions to ask your tour guide
and the admissions office. Try these three answer-seekers:
1) What type of housing
is available?
According to
Jennifer Firek, associate director of admissions
at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, it's important
to get familiar with campus living. While some
schools have male and female dormitories, others,
like Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and
Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, offer
co-ed facilities. What type of housing do you
prefer, and can a potential school accommodate
you with their accommodations?
2) What's there to do
on campus?
Knowing what your potential school has to offer
aside from academics is just as important as the
classes themselves. You don't want to go to a
school that doesn't have any sororities when you'd
one day like to become a "sister," or, if student
government is high on your activity list, why
attend a school where students have no interest
in politics? Do your campus activity homework.
3) Explore the community
surrounding the college.
Make sure you investigate the community you're
going to be living in, says Jacqueline Murphy,
director of admissions at Saint Michael's College,
Colcheser, VT. You should know the type of people
who live in the houses and apartments near campus,
the activities in the area, where you can shop
and eat, etc. "You're going to spend about nine
months at school per semester," she says. "If
you really like to go to a variety of urban social
events, but they're far from the campus, it may
be okay in the beginning, but can get old after
a while."
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· No time to tour today? Go on a virtual one instead at
CollegeSurfing.com.
· Find out those embarassing
questions students were too afraid to
ask on the tour! Surf The CollegeBound
Network's Inside
Edge Newsletter for the gory Qs. |
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