Tip of the week: How to optimize a college visit

Come prepared. Arrive “armed with a host of questions”—the kind that can’t be answered online. Inquire about research opportunities, graduates’ career paths, internships, and the campus social scene. Visit departments of interest to see if professors are available to chat.

Ask for a free meal. Many admissions offices offer tickets for complimentary dining-hall meals. Even if you’re not hungry, this is “a great way to gauge the student culture.” Do you detect an “eat and run” atmosphere, or do students linger to debate Nietzsche? Ask random students what they think of their school. Also, be sure to pick up and skim the student newspaper.

Reflect. “Take 10 minutes after each visit to record your thoughts.” When memories of each school begin to blur, a list of each school’s pros and cons can be invaluable.

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Source: The New York Times