THE CAMPUS VISIT AND ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW

An Important Step Toward Choosing a College

SJC Long Island

Regardless of which institutions you are considering, the following tips will guide you in getting the most out of your campus visit and admissions interview.

Before Your Visit• Arrange your visit in advance, so that the

admissions staff is prepared when you arrive on campus.

• Make sure to schedule both a tour and an interview with an admissions staff member.

• To get a feel for the level of campus activity and school spirit, be sure to schedule your campus visit while classes are in session.

• If you want to sit in on a class, make arrangements in advance with the admissions office.

• Pick a date when something of your interest is happening, such as a sporting event, theater production or concert.

• Ask if the interview is evaluative or informational.

• Inquire about parking (Are permits required? Are there designated spots?) and obtain clear directions to campus and to the admissions office.

• Prepare a list of questions you would like answered.

Campus VisitThe campus visit and admissions interview are vital components of the college search process. At this point in your quest to find the school that best suits your needs, you should have a list of the colleges you plan to visit. The best way to determine if a college is a good fit for you is to visit and see for yourself.

• Learn about the institution before your visit — gather materials including a viewbook and catalog, visit the website, and speak with your school counselor and alumni. Be prepared to answer questions, such as:

• Why are you considering this college? • What aspects of this institution appeal to you?

• Gather documents you wish to share with the admissions counselor, like transcripts and test scores.

• Plan what you will be wearing — clothing should be neat and leaning toward conservative, not flashy or daring.

During the Campus Visit• Arrive on campus early, allowing time to

park and find the location of your admissions interview. If time permits, walk around and get familiarized with the campus.

• Pick up and read the student newspaper to understand what the students are involved in and what they are thinking.

• If possible, take the campus tour before your interview. Campus tours are typically led by student tour guides, so take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and get a student’s perspective of the institution.

• Show up for your interview a few minutes early. Colleges typically have visitors complete a brief information form before meeting with the admissions counselor.

THE INTERVIEW• Greet your interviewer with a smile and

firm handshake.

• Introduce yourself and anyone accompanying you, perhaps your parents or siblings.

• Maintain eye contact and show that you are confident and motivated to attend the college.

• Stay relaxed. Remember, the college interview is meant to be a conversation — not an inquisition.

• Take time to think before answering questions, so your responses are clear and thoughtful.

• Ask the interviewer for detailed information about the major(s) you are considering and the success of the graduates gaining employment and/or entrance into graduate or professional schools.

• Avoid slang, inappropriate language and such terms as “you know,” “like,” “um” and “uh huh.” Speak in complete sentences, using correct grammar.

• Have your questions in front of you during the interview. Ask important questions about career placement rates, student and alumni satisfaction, campus security, accessibility of the faculty, class size, freshman retention rates, graduation rates, average student indebtedness, amount of fees in addition to tuition, use of teaching assistants, policy regarding tripling in double occupancy residence hall rooms and a five-year history

of tuition increases. You are about to make a large investment of time and money. You deserve to know everything about the institutions you are considering.

• Review your qualifications with the interviewer. Do not shy away from asking what a successful candidate for admission looks like and how you compare.

• Take good notes on what you learn — for future reference in your selection process. Note what you like and dislike.

• If your parents are invited to sit in on your interview (this will not always be the case), be sure that you do the talking. Do not let your parents overshadow you. Plan in advance what your parents may want to ask when the interview has concluded.

• Make sure you get the interviewer’s business card with their name, phone number, fax number and email address.

THE CAMPUS TOUR• Ask your student tour guide some questions

about his or her experiences with class registration, class availability, attitude of student services staff (Are they helpful and caring?), ease with which problems are solved, responsiveness of the administration, visibility of the college president on campus and at student events, student life opportunities and weekend activities.

• Visit the library, residence halls, cafeteria, lecture halls, student center, computer labs, bookstore and places of particular interest to you (i.e. science labs, theater facilities, athletic facilities). Take note of the cleanliness of the campus and its facilities. Note whether the technology is up-to-date.

• Look to see how many students are wearing sweatshirts, hats and other apparel featuring the school logo.

After Your Campus Visit

• Write or email a short thank you note to your interviewer. In your note, try to include something specific about what was discussed at your interview. This note will likely become a component of your admissions file. Ask a question that was not answered during your campus visit and watch for responsiveness.

• Write a summary of your visit to help you remember what you learned about the school. Include what you liked and disliked. This summary will be very helpful when comparing colleges and campus visits.

• Use the College Campus Comparison Chart to take note of the factors you consider important when choosing a college. This helps prospective college students keep better track of what is offered at each institution. It will enable you to make a visual comparison and help you select a college that is the best fit.

There are more than 4,660 institutions of higher learning in the United States, according to the 2015 edition of the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education report. For the majority of students, there is not just one perfect college. You probably have the grades and ability to succeed at many insitutions of higher learning, and you should feel buoyed by the variety of options, rather than overwhelmed by the process and competition.

Do your homework. Learn about the institutions you are considering and apply only to those that meet your goals and desires and at which you will be fulfilled and happy to attend. Remember also to apply to those schools that are accessible to you, based on your academic and co-curricular background. Then, if you are only granted admission to one of those schools, you will be happy to attend there. And remember, apply to no more than five or six colleges. Do your research, so you can narrow them down to a manageable list.

The campus visit and interview are the best ways to gather information about the colleges you are considering. However, along with all the objective information, such as academic majors, costs, location, student activities and college size, remember to get a sense of how the campus feels and how you feel when you are there. Will you feel at home for the next four years?

Good luck with your college search.

USE THE ENCLOSED COLLEGE COMPARISON CHART TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH.

SJC Long Island155 West Roe Boulevard Patchogue, NY 11772 631.687.4500

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