Tip of the week: How to optimize a college visit
Come prepared; Ask for a free meal; Reflect
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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Source: The New York Times
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
China and Taiwan's war of words ahead of anniversary parade
Under The Radar Neighbours both claim to have led the fighting during World War Two
-
Epstein files: Maxwell courts a pardon
Feature A new prison transcript shows Ghislaine Maxwell praising Trump as 'a gentleman' while denying his involvement in the Epstein scandal
-
Pentagon readies military deployment in Chicago
Feature The Pentagon is preparing to deploy thousands of Illinois National Guard members to Chicago after Trump threatened to send troops into other major cities