Welcome back to our ongoing blog series, "Where Do I Start to Figure Out My Student's Path," designed to assist high school parents in navigating the journey after high school. This week, I am walking you through taking virtual or in-person tours of colleges and universities. With technology and in-person experiences, parents and students can gain valuable insights into potential educational pathways for their students. Let's explore the benefits and strategies of virtual or in-person campus visits.
The Value of Campus Tours
Touring college campuses is essential in this exploration process, allowing you to gain firsthand knowledge of the institution's facilities, atmosphere, and community. Whether conducted virtually or in person, campus tours provide valuable insights into campus life, academic offerings, extracurricular opportunities, and student support services. By immersing yourselves in the campus environment, you can better evaluate whether a college or university fits your student's academic and personal goals.
Campus tours also allow you to go behind the scenes of a college's marketing and see what is happening and a school's "vibe" and "energy." I remember touring campuses as a high school student and knowing as soon as I stepped out of the car at some schools I did not like the feeling of it. Ideally, visiting campuses in person is best, but there are many more virtual options out there now, and virtual is definitely better than nothing!
Virtual College Tours
Many colleges and universities provide interactive virtual tours on their websites, allowing you to navigate through campus buildings, residence halls, and academic facilities using 360-degree panoramic views. Additionally, websites like YouTube offer a wealth of virtual campus tour videos filmed by students and admissions offices, providing an authentic glimpse into campus life and culture. It is easy to find a campus visit on YouTube by simply searching the school's name and virtual tour.
Another great virtual tour website is the College Tour website. It does not have all of the colleges on there yet, but it is told through the eyes of actual students. They also have a show that streams on Amazon Video. Direct link below.
Making the Most of In-Person Visits
While virtual tours offer convenience, nothing compares to the experience of visiting a campus in person. In-person campus visits allow you to engage with faculty, staff, and current students, ask questions, and get a firsthand feel for the campus atmosphere. When planning an in-person visit, schedule a guided campus tour, attend information sessions, explore academic departments, and visit key buildings like libraries, dining halls, and recreational spaces. You can easily schedule a visit with the admissions office by Googling the college name along with the word visit, and you should be easily directed to the site where you can schedule your visit. Smaller liberal arts colleges often allow more customization of visit logistics with opportunities to meet with faculty and staff. In contrast, larger universities will have standard offerings with special event days offered as well.
Use a Checklist
You will want to standardize the process between the places you visit so you collect the same information and can compare and contrast apples to apples as much as possible. If you eat in the cafeteria at one school, you will want to eat in the cafeteria at all of the schools.
Utilizing a campus visit checklist can enhance the effectiveness of your visits and ensure that you gather all the necessary information to make informed decisions. A campus visit checklist typically includes evaluating academic programs, assessing campus facilities, meeting with admissions counselors, exploring housing options, and engaging with current students. By creating a customized checklist tailored to your student's priorities and preferences, you can maximize the efficiency of your campus visits and ensure that no important details are overlooked. Whether touring campuses virtually or in person, having a list on hand can help streamline the process and maximize your time on campus.
Conclusion
As you continue down this path of exploring college options with your student, be sure to take advantage of both virtual and in-person campus tours. Whether through immersive virtual experiences or in-person visits, touring college campuses provides invaluable insights into potential educational pathways. It will help you make an informed decision about your student's future. Stay tuned for next week's installment of our blog series, where we'll continue to the next step in guiding your student to their path through high school and beyond.
I look forward to your conversations with your students, teens, and young adults. Let's make this journey joyful and transformative for them!
If you liked this post, I would be grateful if you clicked one of the socials below and shared it, helping more parents figure out their students' educational paths!
Would you like this blog series condensed down into 1 simple checklist? Download my Free Path-Finding Checklist that Prioritizes Mental Health ➡️ Click the link here
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute call to kickstart your teen's journey today! Click the link here
Direct Links:
College Tour Website: https://www.thecollegetour.com/
College Visit Worksheet: https://schoolbuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/College-Visit-Worksheet-5-19.pdf
コメント