Make the most of a college visit

College travel season is in full swing. On a recent trip to Madison, Wisconsin, where I went to college and came back to show my husband this fantastic city, we found ourselves in the student union elevator with mother and daughter. Mom had a school bag, which made me ask if they were visiting for a college tour. Indeed, they were. But what really surprised me is when I looked at the girl and asked her what she thought of the campus experience, she said it was good, and then her mom immediately went into her speaker.

For more than 30 years as a college professor and author of A the latest college guideI have expressed this communication. It seemed like what we are seeing happening on campus and around the country with this current generation of students and parents. You may have noticed that parents say, “We’re addressing it empty school…” or “We hope to get empty dormitory”. There is a sense that students and parents go to college together.

There are things parents can and should do to participate in this process while striking a balance that allows their students to lead. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks situation where it’s best if parents are neither completely excluded nor overly involved. Students need and want support, but they also need and want support and guidance in advocating for themselves. confidence– building decision makingand finding your voice.

Here are some specific things that parents should keep in mind while touring colleges with their children.

1. When there are opportunities to ask questions or make comments, let your child and other children speak first.
2. If you find yourself in an elevator like the mom described above (or if you find yourself anywhere else on campus), remember that the adults you and your student interact with may be teachers or school staff, and this is a great opportunity for students to make those connections. This is a great time to sit back and just observe the interaction.
3. It’s tempting to want to include everything, but try to avoid over-planning. Some of the best moments on campus and in general happen when there is room for spontaneity. Perhaps the conversation leads to a coffee shop with another family. Perhaps a conversation in the elevator will lead to the professor showing you the lab on the way to or from his office. A lot is possible if you leave the time and space for it. And it’s also helpful if you can give your student some time to walk around or sit in the student center and see if they can imagine themselves on that campus. It is in peace that most people can think more clearly and make wiser decisions.
4. Campus tours are a little like first dates. Try to avoid the temptation to ask a million questions about their impressions of your campus. Many students take some time to process what they are going through. And of course, we know that if you tell them how much you love campus, that can be a recipe for a student who hates it. Conversely, if you have trouble picturing your student on campus, your student may love it.
5. Avoid the temptation to create spreadsheets to keep track of college visits. The best thing for students to do is to identify the different dimensions of the campus experience that are most important to them and make a list of the pros and cons of each place. Students should be the ones making these notes and lists, not parents.
6. Of course, there are things students are less likely to know or think to ask about, and it’s wise for parents to research these things. These may include the financial capacity or vulnerability of the institution; the percentage of tenured and tenure-track faculty (they hold the title of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor) relative to tenured faculty, such as instructors, lecturers, visiting professors, and adjuncts; stability or instability of the school leadershipand so on. At a time in history when so many colleges have closed, are closing, or are on the verge of closing, this is important information. Faculty with job security who don’t apply for new jobs every year due to market volatility and health benefits are in a better position to stick around until it’s time to enroll your child. These are faculty who will be available to your student as long-term tutors, thesis advisors, research and internship partners, and more. And when a school has strong, resilient, innovative, and visionary leaders who are respected and liked by faculty and staff, it creates opportunities for students at all levels.
7. Give yourself and your student time to explore the campus. Check the things that are within walking distance of the campus and the things that are accessible by public transportation, if it is available in the place you are visiting. If your child has a car, it’s also an opportunity to see what’s interesting within a 30-minute (or more) radius. Search locations can include beaches, parks, groves, farmers markets, cafes, museums, theaters, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and shops.
8. Ask for a meal plan and eat in the dining hall, both to explore food options and meet with students. This is also a great opportunity to find out what is available if your students are vegetarian, vegan, keep Kosher, or have other dietary needs.
9. One building you should explore is the student center or student union, as it is often the center of campus. It gives you a great idea of ​​the pulse, vibe and sense of community on campus.
10. Be sure to check the billboards inside the buildings and outside shops to see what activities are available, including speakers, concerts, political events, field trips, college-sponsored excursions, movie nights, special screenings, musicians, dancers, poetry readings, boat tours, tours, travel clubs, various services, and more, as well as checking out clubs and more. Services are offered throughout campus, including a writing center, student success center, counseling center, LGBTQ+ center, Hillel, chapels, victim support services, office for students with disabilities, medical services, study abroad office, and more.