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Include Academic Departments on College Visit Itinerary
About to go on your first college visit? Schedule a campus
tour - it's a great way to get a general overview of the school.
But after the tour is over, personalize your campus visit
by scheduling a meeting with the department of your academic
major. If you are still in the process of deciding on your
major, you may need to schedule meetings with several departments.
These department visits are excellent ways to get answers
to your specific questions, many of which are beyond the scope
of your student tour guide.
Let's say you're planning to major in environmental engineering.
Which would you rather see? The large lecture hall your tour
guide will show you on the way to the campus library? Or the
engineering lab where you'll run experiments with hydraulic
systems? Do you want to sit in on a general education class
called "Introduction to Sociology"? Or does "Introduction
to Groundwater Hydrology" sound a lot more interesting?
Yes? Then calling ahead to arrange a department visit is a
must.
When considering a college, it's important to assess the
school's academic environment and the educational requirements
for your field of study. During a department visit, you'll
have the opportunity to meet with an academic program representative
and/or a professor who teaches the courses related to your
program or major. You'll gain deeper insight into the learning
environment and professors who teach at the college. This
will be a big help when it's time to whittle down your list
of potential colleges to apply to.
Before the Department Visit:
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Do your research. Go to the department's home
page to learn about the faculty, department specializations,
course requirements and descriptions, etc. Read about
the department's philosophy and position statement.
The better informed you are prior to your visit, the
better prepared you'll be to ask good questions.
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2.
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Pick a few possible dates, so you'll have several
alternatives to offer when scheduling your department
visit. Call the department directly, at least two weeks
ahead of time, to set up a tour and a meeting with the
department chairperson and/or a professor. In addition,
ask if you can sit in on a class in your field of study
and meet with a student in the program. If any or all
of these arrangements should be made through the admissions
office instead, department staff will advise you accordingly.
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3.
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Develop your list of questions. What do you
want to know in order to make an informed decision about
whether this school is a good fit for you? Here are
some suggested questions from which to choose. You may
want to add your own.
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Overall Program and Requirements
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What makes this program/major stand apart from
similar programs at other schools?
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What are the key characteristics/attributes of
students who have done well in this program/major?
Students who have not done well?
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Is there a specific grade point average (GPA)
required for acceptance into this program/major?
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Are students required to maintain a specific
GPA to remain in the program? What percentage
of students is not able to achieve it?
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Are there any special requirements that students
must complete in this program (e.g., field placements,
internships, practicum experiences, etc.)? What
assistance is available to find these placements?
(Example: Are students majoring in education required
to find their own student teaching placement?)
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Are research opportunities available to undergraduate
students? Can you share an example of a research
project in which undergraduate students were involved?
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I am interested in a career in (xxx) and I plan
to major in (xxx). Do you have any recommendations
for a double major? Minor? Interdisciplinary major?
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Will I be able to take a class in my major during
my freshman year?
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What is the typical class size for courses within
this program or major? Faculty/student ratio?
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How do you evaluate your students academically?
Can you share a syllabus and/or a sample reading
from one of your classes?
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What percentage of classes in this program or
major is taught by professors, adjunct instructors,
and teaching assistants?
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Do students in this program/major have any difficulty
getting into required classes and/or building
an academic plan to ensure graduation in four
years? How often are classes cancelled for insufficient
enrollment? Is the cancelled class substituted
with another that prepares me for future coursework
in my major while meeting graduating requirements?
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Supports for Student Success
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Are there any specific programs or services available
in this department to support academic success?
(Example: Southern Illinois University offers
a Summer Bridge Program for incoming freshman
who will major in engineering. The program is
designed to help students prepare for the rigors
of the engineering curriculum while providing
an early transition into college life. It includes
an intensive pre-calculus review course and an
engineering science preview course.)
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Are professors in this department required to
keep scheduled office hours to provide extra help
for students as well as academic and/or career
advising?
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Will I work with an academic advisor or a faculty
advisor in developing my academic plan? How is
my advisor assigned to me? How many times will
I meet with him/her during my freshman year? How
many times during my four years here?
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Are there specific campus organizations or professional
associations related to my field of study that
you would recommend I join?
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What percentage of students in this department/program/major
graduate in four years?
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What types of jobs do students typically get
after graduating from this program? What percentage
of students is employed in a full-time position
related to this field of study within six
months of graduation?
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How does this department stay connected to employers/employment
trends to ensure that course content is current?
What are the most important skills students in
this program should acquire, according to employers?
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What percentage of students graduating from this
program goes on to graduate or professional school?
What schools do they attend?
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During the Visit:
1. |
While in the department, take note of the environment.
Is the staff welcoming and helpful? Look at the bulletin
boards. Pick up materials the department has developed.
They offer a glimpse into the department's character
and culture.
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2.
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After meeting with the department chair and/or professor,
write down your thoughts. What did you find most
impressive about your discussion? What are your concerns?
What questions do you still have?
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3.
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While sitting in on a class, write down your observations.
What is the quality of the instruction? Is there good
rapport between the professor and the students? Does
the professor allow time for questions and discussion?
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After the Visit:
1. |
Write a thank you letter (not email) to the
department chair and/or professor(s) you met on your
visit.
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2.
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Take time to reflect on your experience. What
did you like or not like? What are the pros and cons
of the curriculum of the major or the department's approach?
Divide a sheet of paper into two columns, marking one
at the top with a "+" and the other with a
"-". Review your answers to your questions
and write the plusses and minuses in the appropriate
columns. Tag any questions you still have at the bottom
of the page, and follow up within a week to get those
answers.
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3.
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Feel your stress level decrease! With these
more detailed looks at your intended departments at
each school you are considering for applications, you
will be able to make a more informed and confident decision.
And you'll be looking forward to getting involved as
soon as you arrive on campus.
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Remember, you want a college that offers you the right fit
in terms of campus life and academic success! Assess
your overall impressions and ask yourself a very important
question: "Is this the college for me… socially and academically?"
After all, your college days may become some of your most
memorable. When looking back on them, it's doubtful you'll
remember the name of the lively guide who led your campus
tour. Instead, you'll remember campus life, the lifelong friendships
you've made, and the excellent instructors and professors
who taught you so much and prepared you for your career.
Related articles:
7
Ways to Make College Visits More Cost-Effective
Get
the Whole Picture: Questions to Ask About College Visits
Surviving
the College Admissions Interview
College
Essay Tips: Getting to Know Me
Investigating
College Majors Related to Careers
© Copyright 2011, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted
with permission.
Direction.
Decisions. Satisfaction.
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