COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS

Each fall representatives from thousands of colleges visit high schools across the United States.  In 20 to 30 minute visits each representative presents about their campus, answers questions, and meets with students interested in their college or university.  Attending college rep visits can save you time and money otherwise spent traveling to visit campuses in person.  These visits also allow you to connect with the person most likely to review your college application.  What is the best way to make the most of college rep visits at your high school?

12th graders should attend college rep visits at their high school for each college or university that they might apply to, and should stay after each presentation to introduce themselves to the college representative.  Seniors should bring a list of questions and ask about topics that are personally important, whether that is student access to studio art space at the college, different on-campus dining options, details about specific academic programs, or ways that new freshmen are brought into the school community.  If you connected with a representative during their visit, especially if that rep is from a small college or university that is one of your top choices, send them a follow up e-mail to thank them for their presentation and ask them any additional questions that you have.

11th graders should attend college rep visits at their high school for each college or university that they are interested in, and should also try to attend rep visits for schools they are unfamiliar with as well.  A 20 minute investment of time can save a student hours of traveling or researching individual campuses online, and juniors can often leave a rep visit with a good sense for whether they like a college or not.  Rep visits are also an excellent way to introduce yourself quickly to schools of many different sizes, locations, and types of academic focus.  While the representative talks, be sure to take notes about each school and write down what you like and didn’t like about what the rep has to say.  Be sure to keep all of your college rep visit notes in one place so that you can easily access to develop the list of colleges that you will apply to during your senior year.

Attending college rep visits are an excellent way to show demonstrated interest in a school.  Many colleges and universities track demonstrated interest and consider your attendance at rep visits, joining of mailing lists, opening of emails that the college sends you, and your reading of the college’s website when they review your college application.  Strong demonstrated interest can increase your chances of acceptance at certain campuses.   

If you would like support developing a list of college representative visits to attend at your school, email me:  michelle@samaracollegeadvising.com