Planning a Michigan College Tour

TIPS FOR PLANNING A MICHIGAN COLLEGE  TOUR

Family vacations for most people typically include a trip to the beach, a day at a theme park, or an overnight stay at a campground.  But if your plans for a vacation this year include inspecting dorm rooms, eating cafeteria food and listening to young enthusiastic tour guides, then you are probably the parent of a high school senior.  And, you are not alone.  According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, estimates are there will be approximately 115,062 seniors graduating from Michigan public and private high schools in the summer of 2010.  Of this number, roughly 47.5% (or 54,626) will attend college next fall, and those future freshmen are beginning to make their college plans now. 

One of the items high on the to-do list is the college campus tour. “Tours offer a quick way for students to decide whether a school is right for them and whether they will even consider applying to it,” said Catherine Healy, President of Michigan College Tour, “Next to cost, a campus visit can have the biggest influence in choosing a college.”   A college education is an important and expensive purchase, so with only an hour or two to form an opinion about a school, make the best use of a campus visit and develop a personal college tour plan before you go.

Before the Tour

Do your homework.  Make a list of colleges and universities that appeal to you and your child and determine whether the schools meet your criteria of academic offerings, location, extra-curricular student activities, and financial affordability.   Visit each school without leaving home by taking an online virtual tour which many college websites now offer.   The more you know about a college ahead of time, the less time you will waste visiting schools that don’t meet your needs.

Register in advance.  Check the schedules for campus tours and informational sessions since most schools require advance registration.   Some colleges limit the number of visits on a certain day and their available space fills up quickly.   A good resource for this information is the Michigan College Tour Campus Visit Calendar found at  http://www.michigancollegetour.com/ which posts a calendar of scheduled campus visits and open houses for all Michigan colleges and universities. 

Map out your itinerary and make hotel reservations.  Plan short trips and focus on schools in a single geographic area.  Don’t attempt to visit more than two schools a day; otherwise it all becomes a blur. Many campuses are big and sprawling so it is a good idea to print out a campus map before your arrival. Local hotels will often offer discounts for college visitors, so be sure to ask for any specials that may be available. Give your child the responsibility of handling the tasks of researching schools, scheduling visits and planning the itinerary.  This is their first step into adulthood and should be allowed to take the lead in the planning.

While on the Tour

Engage the tour guide.  Most college visits are led by a tour guide who is typically a student at the college.  Be prepared to ask about his or her personal experiences such as;  Why did you choose this college? Why did you stay after freshman year?  What do you like best about your classes?  Are faculty members accessible and supportive?  What do you do during the weekends? What are your plans for after graduation?

Take a step back.  It’s important to let your son or daughter ask the questions and direct the conversation. You can always call the admissions counselor at a later time to ask your specific questions.

Be attentive and polite.  This applies to both parent and child. Talking on your cell phone, texting friends, or talking loudly when others are trying to listen to the presentation is rude.  Put the cell phone and Blackberry away and give your tour guide the attention and courtesy they deserve.  

After the Tour

Take time to digest.  Don’t ask “what did you think?” on your way out of the campus parking lot.  Give your child some time to process the things they observed and don’t be discouraged by his or her initial lack of enthusiasm.  For most teenagers used to their small high school environment, a visit to a large college campus can be an overwhelming experience.   Have your child bring a notebook so they can jot down their impressions after each visit.  Encourage them to take pictures too.   Later, have a nice meal at a quiet place and allow your child to share their opinions before offering your own judgment of the school.

Have fun.  Take time to relax by the hotel pool, see the local tourist spots and just enjoy the time spent with your son or daughter.  Being in such close proximity with your teen for so many hours can be a real test of nerves or it can be a unique opportunity.  Have your child remove their ear buds, turn off their cell phone,  even let them drive,  and use the time in the car to talk and bond with your offspring .

Follow-up and stay organized.  Prompt follow up with a college or university is important to making a good impression.  Be sure to write down the names of all the personnel you met with and send them a thank you note or personal e-mail.  Purchase a file box to store all of the college information accumulated during your trip and to collect all of the admissions correspondence that will soon follow.

With the official start of the 2010 college application season quickly approaching (September 1st for many schools), today is the right the time to schedule your campus tours.  And if you visit now before most high school classes begin again after Labor Day, your child will have a head start in the fall when they are trying madly to complete their college applications, do homework, and participate in their many high school senior activities.

Michigancollegetour.com features the Michigan College Tour Campus Visit Calendar which gives students, parents, teachers, and high school guidance counselors a single site where they can quickly access a monthly calendar of scheduled college campus visits and open houses.  The site also includes links to Michigan college and university campus maps, virtual tours, and admission contacts.