THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRISTIE AMBERMAN, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 46 lines
NOT SO FAST, underclassmen! Just because summer is here doesn't mean that it's time for relaxation. As any high school senior can tell you, summer is the perfect time to jump start your college search. How can you do this? Head for college campuses.
Visiting college campuses is a necessary part of discovering which school is best for you. By seeing a school up close, you can best decide if it's one you would like to apply to. Unfortunately, most colleges usually break for summer about the same time high schools are closing, which can leave you wondering when it's best to visit.
I consulted several books about visiting colleges, and the debate overwhelmingly focused on summer versus fall trips.
The benefits of a fall visit are obvious: colleges are open, students are on campus and classes are in session. Administrative offices are likely to be conducting interviews at this time, and there are usually more opportunities for overnight dorm stays and open houses.
The downside of going in autumn, however, is that it's harder to get away because of homework, school activities and the family schedule. You'll have to miss your own classes if you want to visit those on campus, since most college classes aren't held on weekends.
Visiting colleges in the summer instead can be very useful. Since school is not in session, there is no worry about missing classwork or having to limit the length of your visit. In addition, visiting in summer allows you to include college tours in your vacation plans, which can be beneficial if you're interested in schools that are in different states.
In ``Campus Pursuit: How to Make the Most of the College Visit and Interview,'' author G. Gary Ripple suggests conducting preliminary visits to schools in the summer, narrowing your choices and following up with a fall visit.
Concerned about finding your favorite university a virtual ghost town in July? Most admissions offices stay open in the summer and, with a quick phone call, you can find out if summer tours and activities are on their calendar. Of course, another good idea is to plan your visit in late August, which is about the time most colleges start their fall semesters.
Keep in mind that any visit will leave you knowing more about the college and whether or not it's the one you'd like to pursue. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Christie Amberman by CNB