It is that exciting time of year when seniors are visiting colleges and beginning to make important decisions about their futures. Many of this year’s seniors are planning to attend college and have already started taking the steps to find the best fit for them. Visiting colleges gives students a firsthand look at campus life, allows them to ask questions about programs and facilities, and helps them envision where they will feel most at home. Some plan to stay close at in-state schools, while others are considering colleges as far away as Texas.
I personally have visited five colleges so far and plan on attending a sixth this Saturday. I have found it very helpful in learning what I do and do not want for my college experience. Visiting campuses allows prospective students to get a feel for the campus culture, learn more about their possible majors, and explore the different facilities the universities offer. I was even lucky enough to talk with some of the swim team members at Anderson University and learn about college life from a student-athlete’s perspective. At Ball State, I was able to meet up with a friend and see the campus from her point of view. Other seniors have also been out and about visiting prospective colleges and learning about the benefits of each one.
Senior Braylee Pierce has visited four colleges: Baylor University, Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University, West Lafayette, and Albion College. Out of the four schools, Braylee’s favorite so far is Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas. When asked what stood out to Pierce about Baylor, she stated, “I fell in love with the high-tech campus (at Baylor) and lively feel. It is a bigger school, but that was part of what I loved. The campus was not only beautiful, but I also adored the science building as it was set up in a hospital layout. I also found myself very interested in their forensic science program.” For Braylee, this visit helped her determine Baylor is one of her top choices despite the distance from home. According to Braylee, “The visit helped me better understand what I want on campus and what I want out of my future education. It helped me understand going away for college, although it is not the most popular choice or the least expensive, is something I am definitely interested in.”
Other seniors, Hailee Roeske and Katie Hurst, have also begun their college searches. Both have visited Purdue, and Katie has visited three other colleges including Ball State and Indiana University, Kokomo, as well. Katie felt her visits were helpful because she was able to “learn more about the student life and the many clubs, activities, and events that happen.” Although not committed, Katie is planning on attending Indiana University, Bloomington. Hailee, on the other hand, plans on attending Purdue and specifically looked into what they offer for her intended major. Hailee stated, “I specifically visited the school of business, and visiting it helped me see specifically what they had to offer for me. I got to see in person the campus and see what it would be like to go to school on Purdue’s campus. In the business school alone, I learned of so many opportunities that were available to me. There were a lot of helpful people that told about a lot of good things about Purdue and showed me around the campus.”
No matter what stage you are at in deciding where you want to go to college, visits are helpful for everyone. Whether it is about getting a feel for college life or looking deeper into specific programs, it is important to visit colleges to learn what you want out of your college experience. Each college visit gives you the chance to explore your interests, ask questions, and picture yourself on campus, helping you make a more confident and informed decision about your future. At the end of the day, seeing a campus in person can make all the difference because the right college is the one that feels like home.
