College visits are a crucial part of the college application process, but few students have the time, money, or resources for in-person visits to each of the colleges on their list. Thankfully for Miramonte students, the College and Career Center is hosting nearly one hundred college representative visits from colleges across the country from Aug. 21 to Dec. 31. This resource provides prospective students with the opportunity to learn more about the schools they are interested in and discover places they may not have previously considered.
“If you have done some work already, put together a really balanced college list, and there are schools that are coming to Miramonte… then make the visit a priority,” Miramonte college counselor Karen Shopoff Rooff said.
Upperclassmen can sign up for college visits through the University Visits tab on Maia Learning, where the full schedule of visits can be found. Juniors, however, are only able to sign up for a maximum of two visits. After registering for a visit, students must also obtain a purple slip from the college and career center for their teacher to sign on the day of the meeting.
It’s important for students to note that it is up to the teacher’s discretion whether or not they can be released from class for a college visit, because the visits take place during school hours. Each presentation is 45 minutes long and occurs between 8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The college visits offer students a chance to engage directly with college representatives. They typically display a presentation about the university, covering academics, campus life, and various other specs about the college. Following the presentation, there is a Q&A session where students can ask specific questions about the college.
“I already knew a lot about TCU’s academics before the visit, but I thought it was helpful to learn about TCU’s culture and housing, ” senior Olivia Tomasco said.
Aside from inquiring about colleges, one key benefit of these visits is the opportunity to show demonstrated interest.
“Demonstrated interest is a way for students to show that they’ve done their homework when applying. The college visits are a really easy way to show demonstrated interest because those reps are coming here to Miramonte,” Shopoff Rooff said.
Demonstrated interest is a factor that some colleges consider in their admission decisions, by tracking actions that prospective students have taken to show their genuine interest and enthusiasm – including opening emails, using the applicant portal, and taking part in campus visits – towards attending their institution. Students can check a school’s common data set, colleges standardized collection of data on admissions, cost, and additional info to see if demonstrated interest is a factor in their admission process.
“I went to Michigan’s presentation last year. It was really helpful to hear directly from the rep about what they look for in an applicant,” senior Ethan Cole said.
Do not despair if your dream college does not track demonstrated interest; these visits still give students the opportunity to make a connection with a college rep.
“You get to meet the person who is usually first to take a look at your application,” Shopoff Roof said.
While the college application process can be extremely stressful, these visits provide a valuable free way to explore potential options for life after high school. They allow students to experience a university outside of a computer screen and ask questions that may make or break their college decision. By attending these presentations, students can gain key insight as well as a chance to make a strong first impression.
