By Adam Hawthorne, Editor in Chief
This time of year can be stressful for seniors. Completing college applications, taking standardized tests and writing college essays contribute to the stress of students who are trying to decide which colleges they want to attend. Over the summer and into the fall, many seniors visit colleges to get a better idea of where they could see themselves spending the next four years.
Because choosing a college is such an important decision, many students feel that seeing a campus in person has a major impact on how they view a school. Leyla Tarhan explained, “Going to all these colleges really helps me decide on where I want to apply, but it also gets me excited to go to college.” Her experience shows how visiting campuses can help students picture what their lives could look like after high school.
Along with touring campuses, some seniors also attended college sporting events. These games gave students a better idea of campus life while also showing them the school spirit that is such a major part of many colleges. “The atmosphere was completely different than anything I’ve ever experienced. I can see why college game days are such a big deal now,” said senior Alexander El Sawi after a recent visit to Virginia Tech.
For some students, college visits even changed what they thought they wanted in a school. Leyla Tarhan said that before visiting different colleges, she had an idea of what type of school she wanted to attend, but that changed after seeing the campuses in person. “Before going on some of these tours, I always thought a city school would be the best choice for me, but after touring some college town schools, I like them way better,” she said.
Senior Millie George had a similar experience during her visit to the University of South Carolina. She went into the trip with high hopes, but the visit changed her opinion of the school. “South Carolina was one of my top choices before the visit, but I’m super glad I went on the trip and realized I did not want to be in a city. Without going on a visit, I would have had no idea,” she said.
Senior Milan Shah spent a few days of his summer at the University Southern California. When asked about what he enjoyed most about the campus he shared, “the campus was one of the prettiest I’ve ever visited, there is so much open space and historic buildings. I also love the fact that it is in the city of LA, it gave us so many things to do along with visiting the school.”
However, not every student has the opportunity to visit colleges in person before applying. For students who cannot travel to campuses, River Hill offers in-school college visits throughout the year. During these visits, college representatives provide information about their school, give virtual tours and answer students’ questions. These visits are free and available for students to sign up for during the school day, giving seniors another way to learn more about their options.
While some students may feel that one college visit will not make much of a difference, these trips can have a major impact on the decisions students make about their futures. Seeing a campus firsthand allows students to experience the environment, school spirit and overall atmosphere in a way that a website cannot. As seniors prepare to make one of the biggest decisions of their lives, visiting colleges can help them find a school that truly feels right for them.