The non-visit college visit

Each spring, colleges experience a surge of visitors. Juniors visit during their spring breaks. Seniors visit as a way to narrow down their final college choice. But this year with the Coronavirus on everyone’s minds, colleges are cancelling classes and people are rightly feeling reluctant to travel. So, what are students to do? How are you going to get a sense of the college experience in the absence of an in-person visit?

• Complete a “request information” form on college websites. You should do this before visiting anyway. Once you are on lists you will receive regular emails from colleges with links to all kinds of information about the college.
• Read those emails! Some emails may seem very general. Others may contain information about a major or program or college feature that is important to you.
  TIP: Opening and clicking on links also shows your Demonstrated Interest.
• Go on virtual tours . Most colleges now have these tours posted on their websites.
  
• Create your own viewbook. I’m seeing more and more colleges give you the ability to customize the type of information you want. Interested in biology, theater, and career services? You can follow prompts to create your own virtual book with images, information, and resources to fit your interests.
• Videos. With a simple search you will find numerous short videos about colleges. Some are professionally produced and others are informal student videos. Watch both.
• College Chats Many colleges provide opportunities for high school students to chat with admissions representatives and college students. It’s a good way to get your questions answered and interact with current students.
• Social Media. Teens are on it anyway. Why not use it as a tool to help you with your college search? You’ll find that some colleges are better than others at posting and engaging in social media. It can be a great way for you to see, read, and hear about campus culture. Don’t be surprised if you get followed back!
• Get wonky. There are many data-rich websites. A few that I happen to like are Collegedata.com , collegeresults.org , and unigo.com. And for student reviews, check out collegeniche.com
  
• Read a book! Really. I’m going old school here, but when I was in high school I poured hours into the Fiske Guide and the Princeton Review. You’ll find great written descriptions of academic and campus life from an “insider’s” perspective.

Soon enough we'll be back to normal and college campuses will be in full swing. Until then, these suggestions are meant to help you do your best to research and get a feel for colleges without leaving your home.

By Hannah Serota

Hannah Serota, M.Ed, is a Certified Educational Planner and three-decade college admissions professional. She is the founder of Creative College Connections, an educational consulting practice providing teens and their families exemplary professional guidance, tools, and strategies that inspire confidence and joy on the path to acceptance at best-fit colleges.