Happiness This Way

Plan for College – Seven Steps to personalize your visit College Campus

I saw a lot of schools growing, thanks to the graduation programs summer and local cultural events. But my first official "visit to campus," as in "You think I want to go to school here?" It was just after tenth grade. My parents, my sisters and I on a trip to see where my middle sister might want to apply (my older sister had already settled in and left Howard … to KU). My middle sister was thinking of the Northwest, so off we went to Chicago. We spent probably a week in that tour, including a visit to the University of Chicago (My father's alma mater). My middle sister immediately settled in the Northwest. And it was at the U of A.

Listen, everybody – is not an option to start implementing to universities without having a significant for a campus visit, although the right of the street. Here are seven simple steps to further customize a visit to the local campus so you can start exploring the universities on their radar – and make your foothold sneakered about what might be his alma mater in the future.

1. List four of his personal interests: One of the main possible (such as English or biology), an activity that like (such as swimming or composition of songs), are part of a community (such as ethnic or religious connection), and a way Entertainment you love (like music or poetry slams). Now you have the basis for planning a visit that could really excite you.
2. Explore the school's Web site. Find events, announcements and blogs of the things that relate to its four interests. Write down some notes and pages bookmarks on the fly.
3. Contact admissions and financial aid offices. All visits school should begin with a call or email to the admissions office to find out what's on offer to visiting students and establish a meeting of admission. To see if the admissions representative can set up a visit from a student dormitory and chat, too. Schedule a talk with a financial aid representative also if possible.
4. Plan at least one activity for each of its four interests.
   • For possible further, check out a class or meet with a faculty member or TA (teaching assistant). Do not be intimidated – start by asking what is the most fun and what is the hardest part of that course of study. Be sure to talk with students before and after school, too.
   • For an activity you enjoy, if a club or sport that you are interested in practice has a team, an essay or a planning session to attend. Many groups on campus have their own pages on the website of the university, with schedules and contact information.
   • For a community experience, find an organization (such as a popular women's group, a Black Student Union and Hillel) and see what kind of service projects, festivals and other events to attend, or even as volunteers during their visit.
   • For a solution entertainment, you can see who is playing in the cafeteria of the campus, go to a game (a lot of sporting events are free), or ask if you can pass through the campus radio station while you're there.

5. Preparation for the day. You know that comfortable wearing shoes – now I want to actually produce this event! Make a copy of the directions, schedules, itineraries and contact list for each student that goes with you and your parents or guardians. Charge your cell phone, and if you do not have a camera, get a cheap disposable. Pack drinks and snacks, or bring cash to food and beverages. And if you stay overnight, bring a small gift for their host students (bakery products are always impressive).
6. Go to visit that school! Enjoy your event, meet people, take pictures, absorb the experience. Do you see yourself living here for four years? You prefer eating clubs? Both are good to know! An important note: fun, but do not be silly. Do not get into any vehicle, taking food or drink, or enter in any building or rooms with strangers, even if they are young and happy future. And several times the entry with the family throughout the day if you did not come.
7. Memorial day. Take your photos, subway passes, programs, events, and more, and scrapbook when you return. Or simply clip together and put them in a folder. Be sure to write a quick sentence or two about the visit while still fresh. Try "That was the most fun I have and I I want to live in Oak Hall. "Or" I eat bats, thanks. "

After his visit to the university first the odds are very high, you say, "That's where I'm going to college." Slow down. You have at least three other visiting campus before I'm done with you! I want to visit at least one big state school, a small private university, a school in the world has heard of, and one other school nobody has any idea.

After some more visits to college, you begin to realize that you're not in love with each particular school. You get excited about college life in general. Trust me, because when our family began my visits to the school, immediately settled the UC Davis. And she went to Stanford.

About the Author

DMA (Donna Michelle Anderson) is the CEO of The CLIC, the new site that lets students plan for college and institutions recruit students from a single home page on one FREE shared network.

The Happiness Club at Northwestern University