University Enrollment: College Prep
College Campus
Campus Visits
In-Person & Online
Would you buy a $40,000 car sight unseen? College is a significant investment and a foundational time in your life so, if at all possible, check out the merchandise before you buy.
One downside of living in the Islands is that you can’t just hop in the car for a college road trip, so you’re going to have to be super opportunistic about your planning. If the family is taking a Mainland vacation anyway, perhaps you can dovetail it with a few campus stops. Going to Disneyland in Los Angeles? There are a number of colleges nearby, including UC Irvine, Claremont, Chapman and California State Fullerton.
Just walking onto campus and wandering around won’t get you anywhere. Before you leave home, contact the school and find out what they offer in the way of information sessions and tours. Register in advance and make your appointments before you get on the plane.
To get the true flavor of the school, visit while classes are in session.
The organized tour is a “best-of” compilation that will give you a once-over-lightly of the general highlights. Make sure you see the dorms, classroom buildings, labs, student union, bookstore, library, residence halls and cafeteria.
And one Hawai‘i counselor has these words of wisdom: It’s not about the cute tour guide. Colleges often put their best face forward for their tours—you’re likely to be guided by someone who is wholesome and, well, good-looking. On the flip side, some Hawai‘i students have encountered tour guides who are jerks and deal breakers. Don’t let the guide cloud your judgment—after all, you may never see that person again.
It’s highly likely the official tour will skirt any of the school’s less-attractive features, so allow time to explore on your own, too. And if you have special interests—say, you play the violin or soccer—arrange in advance to visit the music or athletic departments. Ask if you can meet with the coach or music professor and see the facilities.
Some colleges also provide opportunities to sit in on lectures, match up with a current student or even spend an overnight in the dorms.
While you are there, write down your impressions. If you’re visiting a handful of schools, the details will quickly start to get mixed up. Moanalua High counselor Gwen Mau recommends making your list of questions before you go. Asking the same questions at each college will help you build good comparisons between the colleges, she says.
So what do you do when it’s impossible to take the trip to shop around? Take advantage of our virtual world and go to www.campustours.com where you can take online tours of colleges all over the country. College Web sites and brochures can also be revealing in how well they are organized and updated. But be a smart consumer—the photographs won’t highlight the campus on a grey, rainy day nor will they focus on decrepit dorms.
Hawai‘i high schools often invite back alumni to talk about the colleges they are attending. Take advantage of these opportunities. These students talk the same language as you and can give you real insight into the college experience. Ask them those important questions about dorm life and cafeteria food. College personnel also will likely visit your school. Ask them the academic questions: How are the classes set up—are they lectures or seminars? What are the graduation rates? What’s the freshman dropout rate? What about the facilities?
Your high school college and career counselor knows the ins and outs of choosing a college; they are an invaluable resource. Just remember, it’s up to you to do your own research, knock on doors, make appointments and as one counselor puts it, be “politely aggressive” to make sure you get answers to your questions.
The Personal Fit
College life, here you come! Going to college often means leaving behind your familiar bedroom at home and embarking on a life of your own. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself and how you like to live. This checklist gives you a beginning guide to help you research the social and support services to look for when choosing a college.
- Eat at the cafeteria.
- Pick up a copy of the school newspaper.
- Ask about the medical, counseling services.
- Research job opportunities on campus.
- Check out crime stats at www.ope.ed.gov/security or on a school’s Web site.
- Visit the dorms—some colleges offer an overnight experience.
- Find out about campus sororities and fraternities, clubs and other on-campus activities.
- Look up the student stats on the Web site.
- Talk to students. Do you fit in? Are they happy with the environment?
- Ask yourself what vibe you get on campus.
- Check out the public transportation.
- Explore beyond the campus. Is it student-friendly? Are there things to do, places to go?