Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2013 - (Page 41)

planning ahead for college Visit Colleges this summer by linda E. brody, Edd if at all possible, your search for a college that will meet your needs and where you will be happy for four years should include visits to the campuses you are considering. While it is clearly better to visit when classes are in session and campuses are buzzing with activity, your own busy schedule may make it difficult to travel to many colleges during the school year. many students find that summer is a good time to make preliminary visits, perhaps to combine them with a family vacation to nearby historical sites and tourist attractions, and then to make a second visit to those colleges that really interest them when classes are in session. Preparing for Your Visit Before your trip, learn as much as possible about the schools you will visit. read the college reviews from past issues of Imagine, and glean information from college websites about their admissions requirements, financial aid policies, and housing. Visit academic department pages and check course offerings to determine whether the college offers your intended major(s) and preferred focus within that major. investigate whether the extracurricular activities in which you are interested are available. identify any questions you will want to have answered during your visit. many college websites also provide information for visitors about lodging, restaurants, and local sights. Check the admissions office schedule for group information sessions and tours of the campus, and plan to participate in them. Consider whether you might want to schedule an individual interview with an admissions officer. While an on-campus interview is usually optional, it can be a chance to make a positive impression, as well as to have more of your questions answered. are there any professors you might like to meet to find out more about opportunities in their departments? summer can actually be a good time to find faculty on campus doing research, and they may have more time to meet with potential applicants than when they are also teaching classes. You might email the department secretary to request an appointment or contact the professor directly, sharing a little about your background and describing why you would like to meet with him or her. touring the College group information sessions provide a forum where you and your family, along with other prospective students, will be given general information about the college. this is a good place to learn about admissions and financial aid policies and procedures. the guide for the campus tour will probably be a current undergraduate student who should be a good source of information about life on that campus. Bear in mind, however, that this is only one student, so you will want to talk to others for their perspectives. www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine THINKSTOCK as you walk through the campus, look at classrooms, common space, and dormitories. ask the tour guide about how the atmosphere differs when classes are in session. inquire about residential life, activities, accessibility of professors, and anything else that concerns you. after you complete the guided tour, walk around on your own. go to the library and the bookstore. eat a meal in the dining room. talk to any students you meet. read the bulletin boards and the school newspaper if it is available. try to get a feel for campus life. touring the neighborhood if you plan to board at college, remember that this will be your home for four years. if you hate crowds and noise, you will not enjoy attending college in a bustling urban area, no matter how appropriate the academic program is for you. so venture into the surrounding neighborhood. think about what you need in a community and investigate whether the area around the college provides it. Where do students hang out? are there restaurants or coffee shops that appeal to you? how much cultural life (plays, concerts, museums) are you seeking, and is it available, either on campus or in the town or city where the college is located? if you like nature, are there parks, lakes, or hiking trails nearby? What about transportation to and from home? is the train station or airport close enough to meet your needs? the short list the process of choosing a college can be daunting at first. But college visits, even to schools you don’t think you will attend, will help you identify the characteristics most important to you, and a “short list” of colleges likely to meet your academic and personal needs will gradually emerge. once you have this short list, revisit those schools during the academic year, when you can see classes in session, talk to more students, and possibly spend a night in a dorm. But take advantage of summer to identify those schools that warrant a second look. have fun touring! imagine 41 http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2013

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2013
Contents
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Code Me In
Getting Started With Computational Problem Solving
Coding for Gold
The Computer Science Connection
Magical & Practical
The Creative, Collaborative Universe of Minecraft
Going Mobile
Connecting Students and Cultures Through Technology
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Words With Friends
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2013