This document provides tips and information for students and parents regarding college visits and selecting a college. It recommends that students: - Visit colleges in person rather than just relying on brochures to get a feel for the campus environment. - Research top college choices by exploring their websites and attending organized campus visits or open houses to tour facilities, sit in on classes, and speak with admissions staff and current students. - Consider factors like campus size, location, academic programs, cost, diversity, and campus activities when narrowing down college choices. - Take notes during visits to help compare and evaluate colleges.

1. Dianha Ortega-Ehreth
YLA Executive Director
Feb. 18, 2015
On the Road to College
workshop series:

2. • MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU
CAN DO when selecting a college
• See it for yourself vs. glossy brochure
• Feel secure in your investment –
would you buy a car without test
driving it?
• Parents and students go together!

3. • Narrow down your choices based on your preferences:
• Big or small campus
• Location
• Academic majors
• Campus activities: sports, theater, music, etc..
• Cost
• Diversity
• Prestige
• …what else is important to you?
RESEARCH YOUR TOP SCHOOLS! Go to their web sites!

4. • Start sophomore year of high school, pick a place on
your way to / from family vacation.
• BEST YEAR: High school junior
• COLLEGE CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE dates
• PRO: Organized group tours and presentations
• CON: Large crowds, less individual attention, you don’t get to pick
the date
• Any weekday during the school year
• Summer – maybe
• When not to go: holiday breaks
• High School seniors get 2 days to visit colleges

5. • OPEN HOUSE – sign up, either online or
call the college directly
• Call Admissions Office to request a tour –
may be personal or a group
•Ask if they have a translator (if you need
one)
• High School seniors get 2 days to visit
colleges

6. Admissions Office purpose:
• To provide you with information about their college or
university
• To recruit you!
• They will organize a schedule for you:
• Meet with faculty, financial aid staff, campus students
• Sit in a college class for a morning
• See the residence halls, computer labs
• Eat lunch in the campus cafeteria
• Some even have you stay overnight in a residence hall
with a current student!
• FREE!!!

7. • What excited you the most?
• Could you see yourself spending 2-4 years
there?
• What didn’t you like? Why? Is it a deal
breaker?
• Do they have what you want?
• What is unique about this place that I will not
find at any other school?
• Consider the town / city environment –
security, groceries, public transportation,
social life, visits home

8. INVESTMENT
• Money
• TIME
• Future opportunities – Did you swing by their Placement
Office? Pick up a campus newspaper or alumni
magazine – what are their graduates up to?
Strong connection to a place is helpful –
especially if you change your major, and
odds are YOU WILL.

9. • Talk with other students and parents of
students who go to that school
• Online tours vs. self-guided tour vs. actual
campus tour
• Valuable experience for the whole family!
• Take notes to help you compare your top
college choices (hand out)

10. • Elgin Community College - March 3 - Senior Day
• Illinois State University – March 30 – Open House
• Judson University – March 27 – Preview Day
• Northern Illinois University - April 3 - Open House
• Roosevelt University – February 21 - Junior and Senior
Visit Day
• University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign – April 2 –
Orange and Blue Day
• Western Illinois University - April 11 - Open House
All dates are 2015. Visit the university’s website for more
information or to register for a visit.