5 Signs During a College Visit That the School Isn’t Right for You
There's nothing quite as exhilarating as setting foot on a college campus for the first time.
As you tour various colleges and universities towards the end of your high school career, you'll see there are certain signs that point to a school being a fit. And on the flipside, there are also clues that a certain school might not be the best match for you.
Scroll down for our list of signs during a college visit that the school isn't right for you.
The Tour Doesn't Include Anything About Your Interested Areas of Study
Whenever you take a college tour, you should always try and ask a question or two that relates to the areas of study you might be interested in. No one expects you to know your major just yet, but if you're interested in visual arts and the tour doesn't include a visit to some art studios or even a mention of the art program, that could be a red flag that indicates you might be better suited at a school that places more emphasis on the subjects that interest you.
The Tour Guide Isn't Engaged
At most colleges and universities, the tour guide positions are very competitive and highly sought after. That's because, for many prospective students, your tour guide is your first impression of the school, and schools want their tour guides to paint the campus and students in a positive light. Guides should be engaging, knowledgeable and ready and willing to answer any questions you might have. If your guide isn't engaged or seems disinterested, it could be a sign that the students aren't very enthusiastic about the school—which, in turn might make you want to consider looking elsewhere.
You Can't See Yourself Fitting in With the Student Body
Don't just pay attention to what the tour guide says when you look at a school. Remember, the guides are often the best of the best, so relying on their point of view alone could leave you with a bit of a skewed perspective on the school. Instead, try to pay attention to some of the other students. Do people seem happy? Stressed? Do they look like people you could potentially see yourself hanging out with? If the answer to that last question is no, it might be worth exploring other options and finding a school where you feel more comfortable.
You Don't Get a Sense of Balance on Campus
When you walk around a campus, you should get a taste of a little bit of everything. That is to say, that student life on campus should seem balanced and full. You'll likely see some people studying in the library or a lounge, but you should also see students playing frisbee on the quad and having fun with one another in the cafeteria. If you don't see a plethora of different activities going on, that could be a sign that you need a school that's a bit more well-rounded.
It Seems Like the School Has a Lot of Commuters
There are plenty of schools, especially state and local schools, where a good portion of the student body actually commutes to school each day and doesn't live in the dorms. While there's certainly nothing wrong with that, if you're planning to live in a dorm at a school that isn't a short drive from where you're from, you might want to ensure that the student body isn't mostly made up of commuters. If that's the case, it could be especially difficult to make friends, and you may find that the campus is a ghost town on weekends because most people head home.
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