COLLEGE VISITS

Nothing takes the place of seeing a college first-hand to experience that “gut check”. Smart students create a plan to make the most of their time and money. Do your homework beforehand, review your research notes, and arrive on campus with a plan.

Pre-Visit Tips

• Try to visit when students are on campus (September-May). Not possible? Summer visits are better than not visiting at all. Ask admissions to connect you with a student from Portland to hear their first-hand experience.

• Sign up for an official tour. Register in advance on the college's website campus tour portal. Remember that certain times, such as Spring Break, are very popular and spots fill up, so plan ahead!

• Many schools offer additional tours of specific majors’ buildings, such as Engineering or Computer Science. Ask if these are available to you if appropriate.

• Find out whether your admissions rep will be on campus during your visit so you can arrange to stop by after your tour and share your excitement.

• Don’t be over-ambitious. No more than two schools in a day. All that walking, observing, and talking can be tiring!

While On Campus

• Connect with Career Services while on campus. What types of support are available to you starting in your first year? Interviewing skills, job shadows, internships? How will they help you demonstrate your qualifications when it comes time to do so?

• Observe student interactions. What do you notice about how students are connecting?

• Bulletin Boards - What events are advertised for the upcoming weekend? What else is featured?

• Eat in the Cafeteria. Some polite eavesdropping is OK - what do you hear or notice about conversations?

• Keep an eye out for professor-student interactions. Faculty mentoring is one of the key factors in post-graduation success!

• Take notes! You likely won't remember everything, and those details can help later with decision-making and also can add a specific touch to college essays.

Don't Forget to Follow Up

• Send a quick thank-you note or email if you met the rep in person; let them know that you visited, and share something great you learned or ask a question about something that you saw. This kind of authentic interest and targeted communication is noticed.