Spring Break is a Great Time to Visit Colleges

Does your teenager have a spring break coming up in March or April?  This is a great time to visit colleges and universities.  Your student doesn’t have to miss school, the weather is generally mild, and most colleges are still in session. You can incorporate some fun activities and excursions along the way, too.

To figure out where to begin, here are some tips on how to start developing a college list. 

College Search Engines

You can begin to identify potential schools with federal college search engines like College Navigator.  This is a massive database that allows you to search for schools based on certain criteria.  You can also look up information about a particular school, such as admission requirements, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, and more.  Other helpful search engines for creating a college list include CollegeData and CollegeBoard.

Special Lists of Colleges

Some colleges have been singled out for their ability to provide a unique approach to education.  Try Colleges That Change Lives and Colleges of Distinction for some ideas.  Inside College provides numerous lists based on a variety of characteristics. For a list of schools that provide a good value, check out Kiplinger’s Best College Values.

College Rankings

Although all rankings must be taken with a grain of salt, they do provide a starting point and can be used as one of many reference sources.  You have probably heard of the US News and World Report Rankings.  Another ranking list that uses a completely different methodology is Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges.

Student Reviews

You or your teen can get the inside scoop by reading reviews by actual students.  The two sites I recommend most are Unigo and College Prowler.

Searching by Major

 

If you or your teen want to know more about a particular major, or have a major in mind and want to find colleges and universities that offer a program of study for that major, try College Majors 101,  MyMajors, or CollegeBoard.  You can also consult the Book of Majors, published by CollegeBoard.

Guide Books

 A lot of great information can be found within standard reference guides such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges, Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges, and The College Handbook, which is published by CollegeBoard.  Your high school guidance office may have these books, or you can purchase them in bookstores or online.

About College Visits

Once you decide where you would like to visit, make sure to sign up in advance.  Some schools have limited spaces on any given day. Find out what visit options are available – information session, student-led tour, interview, open house, attend a class, or overnight stay with a student.  If you know someone who attends the school you are planning to visit, reach out for a personal tour or a conversation over coffee.   Think ahead about what questions you will ask.  If possible, look up the name of the admission representative for your high school and either introduce yourself when you are there or send a quick note after your visit.  And finally, have fun exploring the campus and surrounding community!