Summer is a great time to head to college campuses for a visit. Not only can you learn more about schools and get a feel for whether they’re a good fit for you, but campus visits are also an ideal opportunity to speak to admissions representatives and financial aid officers one-on-one about college costs and financial aid. When speaking to these college representatives, consider asking these ten questions to ensure you find the school that fits you best in every way, including financially.
1. What is the current cost of tuition and fees? Room and board?
Some colleges know what their listed charges (sticker prices) will be years in advance. Most don’t, but obtaining the current sticker price will at minimum provide you with an initial starting point for determining the affordability of the institution. If you intend to live in university housing for more than one year, be sure to ask how room and board plans typically fluctuate from year to year. Are all room prices the same? How about meal plan prices?
Planning college visits for this spring or summer? Why not build in some tourism? Here is a list of 10 campuses that are worth visiting for their architectural interest and scenic beauty alone.
Is there one perfect college or university for you? Perhaps. Most likely, though, there are many schools that could be a great fit. When visiting schools, you’ll sense the characteristics that differentiate one school from another.
School visits offer you a chance to sample different schools to determine what suits you best. There are many factors to consider, so here are a few things you should do to ensure that you are well-prepared for your visit:
Before discussing what to do during a college visit, it’s important to note that visiting colleges is a critical part of developing a good college list and making a wise college choice. In addition, college visits offer one of the best opportunities to develop a relationship with the college admissions representative assigned to your high school. This is important because he or she is likely the first person to read your application and possibly make the accept/waitlist/decline decision.