Why are we here? What is the purpose of... YOUR College Visit? A short five step guide.

Meredith O'Reilly
Aug 31, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2023

You are there, its very busy, you wonder around and go the visit. People are friendly and nice but when you get how you just cant remember anything about the visit. Was it a bad school or were you just not present.

Stage One: Be present

Being present is key. Ask questions like - how do people get around, are they riding bikes, taking the bus driving, or walking? If they drive, can you afford a car? How big is the student car park? (this tells you where students live)

Asking yourself questions like 'Is there a sense of fun and positive social spirit or do people look stressed and exhausted?" is a good one for work ethic, and indicators of assignment stress.

What about feeling safe "Are there safety measures put in place around campus?" and where are they?

You could check out the nearby neighborhoods and student places in order to see what is going on in the community surrounding the campus.

If you want to know about living in the area you will study ask things like "what do students do in the evenings/ at weekends?" and think about what you would do.

Can you continue your hobbies or start new ones?

Take the time to read the local newspaper, read campus bulletin boards and notices to learn about upcoming events for the student body and community,

Stage two: Know why you go

Make yourself a quick guide. To do this try out our pre-visit test to see if you are ready to go on a visit - ask yourself these questions.

Why do we spend time visiting colleges/universities? Answers are below so no peeking.

Pick seven of these

1) To see the lecture facilities

2) To meet the Professors

3) To meet the Admissions Officers

4) To increase your chances of getting accepted

5) To impress the Admissions Officers

6) To see the campus

7) To get a feel for life on the campus

8) To check out the accommodation

9) To check out the food

10) To find out about social facilities on campus

11) To find out about course content and options

12) To find out what students do at the weekend

13) To see what students do in relation to your hobbies (sports/drama/MUN)

14) To find of out about the University values and culture

Answers here. How many do you get right?

1) To see the lecture facilities

2) To meet the Professors

3) To meet the Admissions Officers

4) To increase your chances of getting accepted

5) To impress the Admissions Officers

6) To see the campus

7) To get a feel for life on the campus

8) To check out the accommodation

9) To check out the food

10) To find out about social facilities on campus

11) To find out about course content and options

12) To find out what students do at the weekend

13) To see what students do in relation to your hobbies (sports/drama/MUN)

14) To find of out about the University values and culture

Stage three: Getting there

First of all we have to get on the tour/visit of our choice so email admissions to arrange a tour (or ask Learning Pathways and we will locate some for you).

Emails should be

Semi formal
Short
Purpose - any special requests
Suggested date or dates
Polite
In good English

Here is a short template

Dear Admissions Officer,

I would like to study at your prestigious college/university and I would be eternally grateful if you could find time in your busy schedule to tell me if there are college/university visits available in the month of [insert month].

Yours Sincerely,

Ask Learning Pathways for more assistance this.

Stage four: What to ask when you are there

Questions to ask Admissions Officers (by you not your parents)