Maximizing the Impact of College Campus Visits
A Counselor's Guide to Making the Most of Each Trip
by Ceinna Bush
As a counselor, one of the most exciting—and honestly, most enjoyable—parts of my job is attending college campus visits with my students. These trips are often the turning points in a student's college decision-making journey, giving them a tangible feel for what their future could look like. But as much as these visits are about the students, they also present a golden opportunity for us as counselors to expand our own knowledge, build connections, and gather resources that will benefit our entire student population. This guide will provide you with actionable strategies to make the most of your future trips.
Knowing the Highlights of the Campus
One of the first things you should do before visiting a college campus is familiarize yourself with the campus highlights. These are the features that make the school unique, such as its academic programs, campus facilities, student life, and community culture. Being informed about the college's standout qualities allows you to effectively guide your students during the visit and afterwards as they weigh their options.
Why It Matters: Students rely on us to provide them with accurate, relevant information about their potential college choices. If we know the highlights of most campuses (or at least the local or popular ones), we can better help students envision themselves in that environment. For example, if a student is interested in a particular major, we can steer them towards that department or highlight specific programs at that school.
How to Do It: Before the visit, research the college’s website, read up on student testimonials, and check out recent news articles about the institution. Look for information on academic rankings, special programs, and extracurricular opportunities. You can even create a quick-reference guide of the campus highlights to share the information that you find. Here are some examples of what I’ve shared with my own students before our visit:
Pro Tip: If you need some guidance on how to start, you can also use the “College Fit Summary” sheet, which can be found in the Contigo Ed “College Fit” microcurse: https://contigoed.thinkific.com/courses/take/college-fit/texts/52019545-overview. The first two pages of the summary might help you indicate categories that should be highlighted such as:
Institution Type
Academic considerations
Student Life
Affordability
Making Connections with Campus Staff
Building relationships with key staff members on campus is invaluable. The connections you make with tour coordinators, academic advisors, and admissions office personnel can open doors for your students and streamline future visits.
Why It Matters: Campus staff are the gatekeepers of essential information and resources. By establishing a good rapport, you may gain insider access to events, information sessions, or even exclusive tours that are not available to the general public. These connections also provide a direct line of communication for any future questions or needs you or your students might have.
How to Do It: During the visit, take the time to introduce yourself to the staff members. Exchange contact information and express your appreciation for their assistance. Follow up with a thank-you email after the visit, and keep in touch periodically. This relationship-building can be especially helpful during application season, as you may need to contact someone for a quick question or recommendation. Here’s my own follow up email:
Pro Tip: Some colleges offer counselor-specific events or professional development opportunities. Inquire about these and consider attending them to further deepen your connection with the institution. I am attending three this semester! 👍
Understanding Student Resources
As a counselor, we are often the first person students turn to when they have concerns or questions about college life. Therefore, it's essential for us to gather information about the resources available to students on campus. This includes academic support services, mental health resources, career services, and extracurricular activities.
Why It Matters: College can be a challenging transition for many of our students. Knowing what resources are available at each institution helps us guide them more effectively and ensure they have the support they need once they arrive on campus. Additionally, it helps us identify gaps in resources that might make a particular college less ideal for certain students.
How to Do It: During your campus visit, ask the tour guide or admissions staff about the various student support services. During a lunch break, visit the counseling center, career office, and any other resource centers, or you can even walk your students over so that they can see where these are located themselves. Take note of the availability of services such as tutoring, academic advising, mental health support, and job placement assistance. Document your findings and share them with your students and their families.
You may even get the chance to experience student resources/services yourself! Visit the dining halls, residence halls, and student centers to evaluate the quality and accessibility of services. Understanding these aspects of campus life helps you address concerns students or parents may have.
Pro Tip: Refer to the Contigo Ed College Fit Microcourse for additional resources (lesson plans, presentations, & activity packet) that can help you and your students explore what different colleges have to offer: https://contigoed.thinkific.com/courses/take/college-fit/texts/52019743-additional-resources. Don’t hesitate to use these tools to enhance your ability to serve your students effectively!
Engaging in the Campus Tours
It can be tempting to hang back during a campus tour and let the students absorb the experience. However, as a counselor, it's important to actively engage in the tour yourself. This is your chance to observe the campus environment firsthand and assess how well it aligns with the needs and expectations of your students.
Why It Matters: By participating in the tour, you get a better sense of the campus culture, the condition of facilities, and the overall atmosphere. This insight is crucial when advising students who may be trying to decide between multiple colleges. It also allows you to identify any red flags or highlights that might not be apparent from brochures or online research.
How to Do It: Be an active participant in the tour. Ask questions, take notes, and observe how the tour guide interacts with students. Pay attention to the campus layout, the quality of dorms, the diversity of the student body, and the general vibe of the campus. Encourage your students to do the same and discuss your observations with them afterward.
Bonus - Engaging Content Idea: Create your own "Campus Tour Reflections" worksheet for your students by making modifications to page 4 of the Contigo Ed “College Fit Summary”. You can even include emojis’ or other prompts for them to observe different aspects of the campus, such as the condition of the dorms, the friendliness of the staff, and the availability of student activities. This will keep them engaged and help them make more informed decisions.
Encouraging Students to Ask Questions (and Having Your Own)
The best way to get a true sense of a college is by asking questions. Encourage your students to ask about the things that matter most to them, whether it’s campus safety, class sizes, or student organizations. But don’t forget that you should come prepared with your own set of questions as well.
Why It Matters: Asking questions is the most direct way to get the information you need. It also shows campus staff that you and your students are serious about considering their institution. The more informed you are, the better you can guide your students after the visit.
How to Do It: Before the visit, organize a brainstorming session with your students to develop a list of questions they want to ask during the tour. Then share this list with your students and encourage them to speak up during the tour. At the same time, prepare your own set of questions, focusing on key areas such as admissions criteria, student support services, and campus culture. It’s also valuable to ask about the success rates of graduates, internship opportunities, and how the school promotes diversity and inclusion. These inquiries will help ensure that both you and your students get the most out of the campus visit.
Pro Tip: Create a "Top 10 Questions to Ask During a College Campus Visit" list (from that brainstorming session) that students can use as a reference. You can even refer to resources like “EducationQuest's College Visit Questions”: https://educationquest.org/pdfs/GoVisitQuestions.pdf for inspiration. Include questions like, “What’s the average class size?” or “How does the school support students during stressful times?” This might help your students think of their own questions to ask later on.
Reflect and Apply Insights
Why It Matters: Sharing insights can lead to professional growth and collaboration, and it helps build a community of practice where everyone benefits from each other's experiences.
How to Do It: After the visit, take time to reflect on what you learned and how it can be applied to your counseling practice. Ask your students how they felt about the campus visit and for feedback. Discuss your experiences with other counselors in your network. Consider how the insights gained can influence your guidance for students, especially those with specific needs or interests.
College campus visits are invaluable opportunities for both students and counselors. By preparing ahead of time, building connections, and engaging fully in the experience, you can maximize the impact of these visits. Remember, every visit is a chance to not only gather information for your students, but also to expand your own professional network and knowledge base. With the right approach, these visits can be a win-win for everyone involved—an energizing experience that paves the way for students' future success and enriches your counseling practice year-round.
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