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Check out the campus

Making the most of your campus visits

College statistics and viewbooks can't tell you the whole story. That's why campus visits are important. Remember, the college you choose will be your home for the next four years, so you need to make sure you'll feel at home there.

Here are some ways to make the most of your college visit:

Meet with an admission officer.
This meeting is a great chance to ask about stuff that matters to you, whether it's how late you can get dinner or the status of Internet connections in the residence halls. Of course, you can also discuss more mundane topics like admission requirements and deadlines.

Meet with a professor.
If you request it, most colleges will arrange for you to meet a professor in an area that interests you. It's a great way to find out more about the school's approach to academics.

Sit in on a class.
Let the college's admission office know your area of academic interest, and they'll arrange for you to observe a class first-hand. You'll watch how faculty interact with students, and see how the students feel about their classes.

Take a tour—even stay overnight.
Check out the student union, the fitness center, the residence halls, and the library. If you can picture yourself hanging out, studying and having fun in these places, the college has passed its first big test.