How to Make the Most of a College Visit

If it hasn't started already, that high school junior or senior in your life, whether it be a child or grandchild, will soon want to visit college campuses. These visits will carry lots of weight when it comes time to choose a college, so here are a few tips we picked up during our collegiate visits with our daughter, Meredith.

One thing Ken and I learned from seeing Meredith off is that going to college is the first step toward our kids finding their independence and being responsible for themselves. So, we've written this piece for you to share with your child or grandchild. Of course you want to be involved, but let your college-bound youngster do the legwork.

A little prep work before your visit will go a long way. Call the school's admissions department and schedule an appointment with an admissions officer. Ask the person you speak with to send you the school's catalogue if you don't already have one.

Also, have the admissions department schedule an appointment with the department head for the area you want to study, and arrange to sit in on a class. This will give you a chance to find out specifics about the curriculum, the teaching philosophy and the professors. If you have special interests, such as writing for the newspaper or playing a sport, make an appointment to talk to the editor or the coach, too.

You should prepare questions ahead of time about:

• Your curriculum (how many courses outside your major will you be able to take, how the school ranks in that area against other schools, etc.)
• Financial aid (what's available from the school, does the school offer work-study programs, are you eligible for any scholarships through the school, etc.)
• Campus life (where you would live, can you move off campus, can you bring a car to school, what is the campus crime rate, etc.)