Consider yourself a shopper. Have fun. Visits are always interesting. Even at a school that disappoints, you will discover something valuable about yourself, your tastes, and your goals.

 

What is commonly referred to as “the school visit” is a scheduled time, typically in the fall months, to both tour a school campus and have an interview with an admissions representative. Ideally, your visit will take place during the school day. Viewing classes in session is essential to seeing students and understanding the academic dynamic of a program. Prepare generally with a read through of the website or viewbook, and arrive ready to learn.

 

Below is a list of rules to help you glean the most from your visit and enjoy the experience, too:

 

Be on time.

 

Call if you will be very late (or very early).

 

Call to cancel if need be. Never just be a “no show.”

 

One parent/guardian is sufficient. It is not always convenient and is not necessary for two parents to attend.

 

If it is culturally your custom, practice shaking hands, and then do it with everyone.

 

Silence your phone and put it out of your sight. Better yet, leave your cell phone in the car. Your attention to the day’s task and to your student should be undivided.

 

Tours aim to be very thorough, but speak up if some area of interest has been over-looked.

 

Be curious; ask your guide about his/her experiences. Encourage your student to monopolize the guide’s attention. Guides are knowledgeable but not all-knowing. Unanswered questions can be saved for the interview. Focus on the big questions.

 

If your guide invites you to enter a classroom, greet a teacher, or traipse to the studio, say yes. It is possible that this will be your only visit. Take advantage of the opportunities offered.

 

If it is important for you to meet with a specialist in any area, ie: coach, department head, tutor, call to make this request ahead. Even so, be understanding that your person of interest may be engaged in teaching throughout your visit and, therefore, unavailable to you on that day.

 

Dress for comfort within the community you will visit and with the purpose of presenting yourself in public. If there is a student dress code, dress in the spirit of it. If there is no dress code, dress no more informally than business casual. Always dress for the weather as there is usually outside walking. Do not be distracted by your own discomfort (ie, new shoes).

 

School visits serve dual purposes: schools want to understand your student as a unique person and schools want you to like them and leave well informed. Most visits begin with a student-led tour that is followed by separate interviews for the student and parent(s). Tours are often 45 -60 minutes in length. Current students or parents may also be on hand to chat in the waiting area. Plumb their experiences.

 

Interviews are typically 20-30 minutes. The student interview will provide personal substance to the paper application that may follow. Expect an interview to feel more like a conversation than an interrogation, but be prepared to participate. Help them get to know you.

 

It is unusual that applications must be filed before the school visit as most schools view visits as opportunities to persuade students to submit their forms. Be sure to check each school’s policy, however, regarding application submission.