College visits starting, a personal and essential insight for the senior process

Julie Song, Editor-in-Chief
@juliescourant

College visits are starting this week with the majority being in-person and open for registered seniors. While many students have been unable to get onto university campuses, or have only seen an outdoors sneak peak, college visits will provide students with a better insight about schools, according to the director of the College and Career Center, Susan Carroll.

Students can expect an opportunity to ask the more specific questions pertaining to their academic goals or inspired by their previous campus visits. “This is a chance for you to bear down a little. Perhaps you’re interested in engineering, if they have aerospace? And if so, are there internships available?” said Ms. Carroll.

Additionally, important information on how a school has handled and is currently handling the pandemic will also be shared. “I think how prepared, how welcoming, and how open the campuses through this pandemic [have been], really speaks to how they handle other emergencies and situations,” said Ms. Carroll.

Students can also use the visit as a way to show demonstrated interest in a school. According to Ms. Carroll, the admissions representative presenting will almost always be the first person to look at your application. So showing up, making introductions, and asking important questions as an applicant can show valuable demonstrated interest to admissions officers.

In the coming weeks, important information will be posted and communicated through email and Naviance. “The best way to have a successful senior year is to check your email,” said Ms. Carroll.

Visits this fall will occur in the college and career center located in the guidance office, the Wagner room, and over Zoom as well. There will be up to three a day, at 8:15, 9:45, and 1:25, halfway through block periods.

Upcoming college visits will be posted on the calendar found on Naviance or the school guidance website. If a student’s pinned school on Naviance is presenting a visit to NCHS, the student will receive an email alert to register through Naviance from their guidance counselor. Students must register in advance and before limited seating fills.

In the coming weeks, more information will be available to seniors and communicated through email. Ms. Carroll also offers mock interviews and résume overview, please contact her through email to set an appointment.

Stay tuned for the full story in the October issue of the Courant, including further information on the senior experience, exploring campuses virtually and in-person, and how to pick the right school.

Upcoming College Tours (Full List)

Tuesday, September 14

9:45 am: Elon University
1:25 pm: Indiana University at Bloomington
7:45 pm: 14 on 14 College Fair with Whitman, Wellesley, SkidmoreColorado, Claremenont McKenna, Union, smith, Harvey Mudd Haverford, Middlebury Oberlin, Sewanee, Davidson, Bates, Wesleyan

Monday, September 20