campus visits

Campus visits can make it easier to choose a college. Colleges welcome visitors, and a visit is the best way to find out what a school is really like. Vermont is fortunate to have a great number of colleges, universities, and professional schools located within the state. You can link to any of the schools' Web sites through our list of Vermont colleges and universities.

Why visit a college?

• It’s the best way to get a feel for the college atmosphere.
• It provides first-hand information about programs, students, facilities, financing, etc.
• A visit allows an opportunity for a personal interview with admissions and financial aid personnel.

How do you arrange a visit?

• Call the Admissions Office to make arrangements for a tour and a personal interview. Ask if they will provide a meal or overnight accommodations and/or permit you to visit classes.
• Call the Financial Aid Office and set up an appointment to ask questions.
• Develop a list of questions to ask both offices.

What to do while you’re on campus

• Places to visit (hang out for a while and get a feel for the atmosphere at these places)

  • Residence halls — How are they set up? Is there co-ed housing? Are single occupancy rooms available? What are the bathrooms like?
  • Student center — What is offered?
  • Library — How big is it? Do students study there? Are online resources/databases available?
  • Classrooms — How are they set up? Are individual rooms easy to find?
  • Computer lab — How many computers are available? How up-to-date are the computers? Are there lab techs available for troubleshooting?
  • Science lab — What equipment do students use?
  • Campus bookstore — What can you get here? How expensive is it?
  • Sports or other extracurricular facilities — How state-of-the-art are the facilities? When are they open?
  • Cafeterias — How many are there? What kinds of food are offered? When is the cafeteria open?
  • Health center/medical office — How close is it to the dorms? How long is the typical wait for treatment?
  • Career planning office — Is there one? What resources are available? Do they have job placement data for graduates?
  
  
• Talk to students and faculty members. Find out how they feel about the college. What do they like and dislike? What makes the college unique for them?
• Read bulletin boards and the campus newspaper. Note what activities are available on weekends.
• Check into the availability of tutoring and other support services.
• Meet with admissions staff, faculty, and financial aid advisors.
• Take a student-led tour. Ask anything you want (but remember, you are hearing the opinions of only one student).
• Sit in on some classes (get permission first!). How do students act in class? How do teachers conduct class?
• Check out the studios and galleries. What kind of art is displayed?
• Look at the buildings. How close are they to each other? To the dorms? Do you like how the campus is set up? Do you like the architecture?
• Walk around by yourself to get a feel for the place. Check out the nooks and crannies. Can you picture yourself here?
• Where are the closest grocery stores, department stores, coffee houses, or malls?
• Walk around the nearest town. Look at the transportation, parks, recreational facilities, movies, theaters, restaurants, etc.
• Check out the off-campus housing. Ask about rents, leases, etc.
• If you are interested in sororities or fraternities, visit one. Talk to the students and get a feel for the social life there.
• How much parking is available? How close is the parking to the dorms? Classes? Cafeterias?

Questions to ask admissions officers, campus tour guides, or students

• What are the smallest and largest class sizes?
• Are first-year students permitted to have cars on campus? What other types of transportation are available?
• What employment and work-study options are available?
• How effective is campus security?
• What day trips or weekend excursions do the students make? Are there activities offered on campus on the weekends?
• What makes this college unique?
• What clubs/student groups exist?
• Where are the nearest coffee houses?
• How are student housing decisions made? Are students required to live on campus? Is housing guaranteed?
• How competitive is the school academically? In sports?
• How many classes are taught by a teacher’s assistant (TA)? By a professor?
• How does the academic advisor process work?
• Does the college have internship programs? How do they work? How successful are they?
• What percentage of graduates gets a job within six months of graduation?