Back in 2019, when the world was a very different place, I wrote a post called College Tour Planning in 5 Easy Steps. The focus was how to make the most of College tour visits with your teen, while making memories along the way. Today, the world is in the throws of a pandemic and the college process is looking very different. Most universities remain closed to visitors, even if they are open for enrolled students. The kids who are choosing colleges in 2021 are faced with a myriad of challenges. They struggle with not being able to visit schools and not being able to schedule testing. In this post, I explore some ways we have found to tackle the challenges of college tours during Covid-19.
The College Search
Looking for a college is an exciting and scary time for both parents and teens. While teens may be excited about the idea of college, they are looking at a tough year filled with decisions and hard work . And that can be scary. Many teens don’t have any idea what they want to do and therefore where to even begin looking. See College Tour Planning in 5 Easy Steps for help in starting that all important college list.
For parents, the opportunity to get a glimpse of life on campus through your teens eye is exciting. Parents look at college tours as an opportunity to spend some time with their teens before they leave the nest. For me, it was really exciting to watch my teens opinion evolve about what she wanted out of college. What she thought she wanted at the beginning and what she decided at the end were very different. Her decisions were much shaped by what she saw and learned during the college tour process.
For travel lovers like myself, college tours are also a chance to see a city/town you might not otherwise visit. My teens and I enjoyed the challenge of planning the trip, coordinating the visits, learning about the schools, and finding something fun to do along the way. Unfortunately for the HS graduating classes of 2021 and 2022, the college search process looks very different. Here are some tips for dealing with the challenges of getting to know a college during Covid -19.
Tips for Getting to Know a College
College websites and social media are your friend
More than ever, College websites and social media are your friend. College websites are an obvious place to start when exploring a school. I am constantly impressed by the plethora of information that gets buried in a university website. We always start with the Undergraduate Admissions tab and drill down from there. You can search for possible majors/minors, programs offered, financial aid information, dorm room sizes, details about the food on campus, and even things to do around the area. Also, check the schools social media pages for a better look into the day to day life on campus. Don’t look at just the social media for the school though. Search for the school name and/or hashtag and see what other students are saying and doing.
Sign up for as many virtual tours as you can find
Especially now, colleges are offering all kinds of virtual tours and discussions for perspective students. Some schools even allow you to sign up for a live student led tour. The student walks around campus with a video camera and you watch from home. In many cases, colleges have recently added tours of dorm rooms and cafeterias to round out your understanding.
Demonstrate interest
Indicate interest and engage as much as possible with your top 5 schools. “Demonstrated interest” is the buzz word and it means more now than ever before. Many schools have gone test optional since Covid, so it gives them one fewer data points with which to evaluate your child. They will be relying on the student to indicate their level of interest as one of the key data points.
For your top schools, it is great to attend general discussions about the school but more importantly, attend the smaller discussions. Go to one or two discussions about the major you are interested in, or attend a student led discussion. Registering for events with your email and ask questions. The admissions director for your students district will start to recognize their name. The more events they attend, the more interest they are demonstrating. This will become super important when it is time to read applications.
Consider professional help
Consider a guide to help you through the process. There are many guides out there that are willing to help with the process. Working with a guide means the counselor will spend time with your child getting to know what they want and don’t want. You get the benefit of someone who knows both your child’s interests and also has first hand knowledge of the school. Abby Siegel & Associates is a boutique independent college counseling firm that offers up-to-date college admissions counseling. She offers several options that range from a One Time Consultation where she helps you generate a comprehensive list, to a Full Package that includes assistance with every aspect of the college admissions process. At the very least, go to her website and sign up for Abby’s informative monthly newsletter.
Don’t Rule Out College Tours
One factor that is sorely missing from the above list is the in- person tour. There are many important things that come from seeing a campus first hand. My teen really benefitted from imagining herself living on each campus. She looked for things that I didn’t even think of to determine if the school matched her ‘vibe’. Don’t underestimate the value of exploring a college in person. It makes sense to try to see a few campuses, even to just distinguish big vs. small and bucolic vs. city life.
It’s true that most campuses are closed to official tours, however there are a few work-arounds that still allow for exploring life on campus. Many universities are ‘open campus’. This means that the public can walk the grounds of the school without being bothered. In my experience, just getting a look at the school grounds can tell a student a lot about what they like and don’t like.
In addition, we have found many schools offer self-guided tours. Frequently they are buried in their website. These tours walk you through the layout of the campus but do not allow entry into buildings. Boston University even had a self-guided walking tour that you could tailor to your interested major!
Additionally, it is important to get a feel for the the town or city where your teen will reside for the next 4 years. Spending a day exploring the area offers your teen a chance to imagine themselves frequenting the local coffee shop.
Finally, we have had great success with reaching out to friends and family for help connecting with current students. People love a chance to show off their school. Ask a student to spend an hour with your student walking around campus. In 5 of the 7 schools we visited, we were given a personal campus tour by a current student. Outdoor with masks on, of course! Don’t forget to bring a little thank you gift for the tour guide. A gift card at the local coffee shop would be greatly appreciated.