Chris Boehm, Director of Admission

Setting up a visit

Setting up a visit is generally fairly easy. Most, if not all, colleges want students to visit. They may wish to push you in particular directions in terms of when and how you visit, but ultimately colleges feel that if a student visits they are more likely to apply and possibly enroll.

All colleges have a website that will have their visit policies outlined and possibly a form to fill out to schedule a visit (here's Albright's http://www.albright.edu/admission/visit.html). Most colleges will have 800 or 888 numbers to call toll free (Albright's phone number for example is 800-252-1856). Almost all colleges will permit weekday visits to tour campus. Some will have certain times during a day that you must arrive; others will take tours out hourly and offer interviews as well. Some schools will encourage interviews while others may only offer group information sessions. Either way a college visit commitment will generally last from a little over an hour on up. So budget your time appropriately when planning out your visits.

Many colleges will also host open houses and/or Saturday visits. Open houses could be general open houses or sometimes specific to an area of study. These dates will probably be posted on a college’s website and can definitely be found by calling the school’s admission office. I will reserve my opinions on open houses and Saturday visits for a later date.

If a student or a parent is ever confused by how to schedule a campus visit just call the school that you are considering visiting and ask them for some advice. I’m sure they will be glad to steer you in the direction that will give you the best impression of the school and fit within your timetable.