Summer University Visits

Summer University Visits May 29, 2013 Visiting universities during the summer is a bad idea. Students are typically not on campus. Visit schools in the fall, winter, or spring. Summer university visits seem like a good idea. Schools out for summer. You wont have to miss school and have the time and attention to visit as many universities as youd like. The weather is warm out. You can actually see the grass if youre visiting a university in the Northeast that is otherwise typically covered in snow. It all seems great. But its not. We do not encourage our students at Ivy Coach to visit universities during the summer months. And whys that? Because whats missing at most universities throughout the nation during the summer? The single most important aspect of a college the students. Sure, youll find some students on campus at most universities. At Dartmouth College, as an example, youll find the entire sophomore class as the school requires its sophomores spend their summer at the College on the Hill. But at the vast majority of schools, this just isnt the case. So on your university visit, you wont be able to stop the young man tossing a frisbee on the lawn to ask him what he likes about his college and what he doesnt like. You wont be able to see students dining in the campus dining halls. You wont be able to see if the schools soccer team draws a big crowd at its home games. And thus you wont be able to properly gauge if this university is right for you. Visit universities in the fall, winter, or spring. These are great times to see campuses in action. Sure, youll have to miss a couple of days of school. But its ok missing a couple of days of school wont ruin your high school career. Just be sure to plan for missing these days of school and make sure to catch up on your work so you dont fall behind. You want to get a feel for a university and you just cant do that over the summer. So do it when schools in session. And dont forget to fill out the card in the admissions office. We urge you to follow this advice.