College Visits From Your Couch
Why it’s important to take virtual visits together as a family
Katelyn Gleason Klapper, CEP & Founder of College Options
At College Options, we have long felt that beginning the college search with 2-3 “criteria-building visits” is the single best way to help students prioritize what they want out of their college experience. We encourage an initial mix of enrollment size, public and private, setting (urban, near-urban, small town, rural), and in some cases, specialty schools (i.e. business, fine/performing arts, technical/engineering). High school sophomores and juniors have, by and large, gone on these visits with at least one parent and have been able to discuss their mutual impressions of the tour and information sessions as they travel back home.
This shared experience sets an important foundation for a student’s college list development process over the next year, and without it, many parents may feel disconnected from the college choice discussion. And, while COVID-19 brought an amazing variety of live on-line admissions programing and specialized webinars and videos, many students are watching these alone, or are opting not to take advantage of the live events because they are intimidated by the prospect of being put on the spot.
Attending a live on-line college admissions event is really no different from showing up at an admissions office, checking in, and engaging with the admissions staff and student tour guides. Students and their parents should likewise consider that this can still be a family activity, even if you are all sitting on the couch.
We encourage students to begin on the college admissions webpage for the most up-to-date virtual tours, special videos, and opportunities to attend virtual live events. If you sign up for an event at a small college or with a specific academic department, don’t be surprised if you are one of only a few present. Just as you would in person, take advantage of this time to ask a few prepared questions. Chances are that the college representative will take the conversation from there.
In addition to the standard video tour or live tour and information session, some schools have self-guided tour apps to download if you are able to visit safely in person, and most have many other options that have often not been available unless you attend an open house (like dorm tours, student and faculty panels, athletics Q & A, and much more).
And, speaking of open house programs, many schools are still offering options for a full half-day of weekend virtual programing. So, make some reservations and get them on your family calendar, change out of your pajamas, grab some snack food, and settle into some college previews together. You will be glad you did!