Planning College Visits Where to Start: Initial College Visits Focused College Visits

Visit the colleges and universities in your own As you become more certain of your college criteria, you can focus backyard to begin your research. See schools your college visits on those schools that best fit your preferences (for of varying sizes and admission selectivity that example, small or mid-sized liberal arts colleges vs. large universities, are located in different environments. These urban vs. suburban environments, regional vs. national or international, visits will help you determine and ultimately etc). As you do so, remember: be confident with your college preferences, even if the schools don't end up on your final • Continue to visit schools of varying admission selectivity college list. They will also focus your future categories and be open to the opportunities available at each. college visits when more travel and resources These visits are important at every stage of the college process. might be required. As you visit these schools, ask yourself: • Make your own impressions of colleges based upon your own experiences, not those of your friends or blog contributors Can I see myself at a school of this size? Will I be online. What might be a good fit for you might be different for able to meet my educational goals in classes of this others. size? • Take advantage of your time and visit more than one school on What type of student am I? Does this type of school a college visit trip. There may be a school on the way to your offer me the resources I need to be successful and destination or nearby that could end up being a gem! engaged?

Would this type of school's admission office honor the academic and personal choices I have made in high school? An example of a Focused College Search on small or medium liberal arts schools in Am I comfortable and do I feel safe in this rural/ suburban NY could include: suburban/urban environment? • Colgate University; • Hamilton College; • Hobart and William Smith An example of a Focused College Search on Colleges; regional schools with programs in International • Skidmore College; Business could include some of the following: • Union College; • Carnegie Mellon University; • Vassar College • Drexel University; • Dickinson College; • Moravian College; • University of Pennsylvania; MKA • St. Joseph's College

An example of a Focused College Search on small to mid-sized An example of an Initial College Search could schools approximately an hour or two from home could include: include local visits to: • Albright College; • a large university such as Rutgers; • Lafayette College; • an urban university such as NYU, Columbia, • Lehigh University; Barnard, or Fordham; • Moravian College; • a smaller, liberal arts college such as Drew • Muhlenberg College University, or Sarah Lawrence College.