Valentina Baldini, Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Anna Fiorito
From September through November, NCHS hosts around 300 in-school college visits for seniors to meet representatives and learn more about the schools they are applying to. These visits are useful for students who couldn’t visit the campuses of the schools they are interested in, and are only open to seniors.
College visits are an opportunity for seniors to listen to and ask questions about schools in America to England. They take place in the College and Career Center in the guidance office. “College visits are 40 minute long sessions for seniors to meet a representative from a school they’re interested in and learn more about it,” College and Career Center Coordinator Susan Carroll said. “We don’t allow underclassmen to attend.”
The representatives discuss information from academics to student life. “During the visits, they share details about programs, answer questions and give insider tips about campus life,” counselor Erica Schaedler said. “It also helps the representatives get to know NCHS and our community, which adds context and color when they read applications.”
It’s important for seniors to attend the visits, because they have the opportunity to meet the alumni who will read their Common App. “Since the representative who visits us is usually the first person to read the seniors’ applications, creating a connection with them is very important,” Ms. Carroll said. “Whether the visit is completely full or there are only two seniors who are interested, it’s still an amazing opportunity.”
Senior Morgan Pitts believes the college visits have been especially informative and beneficial. “I think it’s really nice that we have this opportunity because it’s basically like a college tour without the campus,” she said. “The pamphlets they give us have interesting and important information, and it’s useful to hear them go in depth about all the majors offered, the admissions and what they are expecting from our applications.”
Morgan learned a lot of new information in the college visits that she didn’t know before, even after visiting some of the school’s campuses. “Before the college visits, I didn’t know that some of the schools I’m applying to offer so many majors and minors,” she said. “I found it really interesting when the college representatives didn’t only focus on the academics of their school, but also the campus and student life, clubs and activities you can join.”
“Some of the schools I visited had 300+ clubs, including dance and a cappella groups, which definitely interested me,” Morgan said. “I think it’s important that they talk about things like student life because it gives us a feel of the environment you’ll live in for the next four years.”
There are only 25 slots available per college visit, so it’s important to sign up in advance. “The visits that the most students signed up for this year were University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Bucknell University, Boston College, Indiana University, Providence College and Wake Forest University,” Ms. Carroll said. “Last week we had Durham University from England, and there was only one student there. But for that one student, the visit was just as valuable.”
Seniors can sign up for college visits through Naviance, an online platform that helps high school students with their college applications and career. “You can register for visits by clicking ‘Register Now’ on the college’s page,” Ms. Schaedler said. “Be sure to sign up at least 24 hours ahead and if a visit is full, email Ms. Carroll to check for extra space. If a student can’t attend a visit but wants to show demonstrated interest, Ms. Carroll can also help complete a regret form.”
Demonstrated interest is an important tool that most schools use when determining their applicants. “Demonstrated interest is the way colleges track students’ engagement through visits, info sessions, and contact with admissions,” Ms. Schaedler said. “Representatives are looking to see if you’re a genuine fit, and the best way to show that is by doing your research. If you’ve done that, you’ll be able to clearly explain why a school is right for you in essays.”
So far, Morgan has attended a handful of the college visits, most which were full. “Some of the big college visits I’ve attended were Boston University, Northwestern, Georgetown, Villanova and Boston College,” she said. “ So far, all the college reps I’ve met were super passionate and good at presenting, which made the whole experience more memorable.”
In addition to college visits, the College and Career Center features many other ways to improve students’ transition from high school to college and beyond. “The College and Career Center is a multi-purpose room where students can research a gap year, find jobs or volunteer opportunities, and understand everything they need to know about college,” Ms. Carroll said.
The College and Career Center can also offer help with reviewing students’ applications and preparing them for college interviews. “We help seniors by doing mock interviews and we have information available to students for any questions they might have,” Ms. Carroll said. “This year, I’ve been looking at a lot of application resumes, and have been helping students with financial aid and scholarships.
“We understand these next steps after high school can be difficult,” Ms. Carroll said. “That’s why we want to do everything we can to assist and support students as they go through this process.”
