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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.

Link to Vermont 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?
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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?
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