1. Planning a Successful College Visit

2. Why are college visits important? College visits give middle and high school students the opportunity to interact with students and staff, experience campus life through activities and tours, and learn about possible majors and careers. A day on campus helps make the potentially far-off and far-away idea of “college” a reality – and with your additional support, should provide students with the inspiration and tools to reach the goal of continuing education after high school.

4. DURING, and

5. AFTERa college visit, and use the accompanying resources to help in your preparation and minimize your work! See our Planning a Successful College Visit: Checklist for more information.

7. Exploring the history of the university

8. Discovering support services available for students

9. Understanding financial aid

10. Connecting with college student mentors

11. Recognizing career options and the majors that lead thereDeciding on the purpose of the visit at the earliest planning stages will clarify your next steps!

13. Target: Field Trip GrantsIn addition, colleges may have funds for special groups or events to help with transportation or meal costs.

15. See Oregon College Campus Visit Contactsclickable map or spreadsheet for initial contact information.

17. Student panels

18. Hands-on activities related to class curriculum

19. Admissions/financial aid presentation

21. Consider bringing smaller groups on multiple days

22. Understand that all of your requests might not be met due to staffing, space, or time limitations

24. Information for specific target groups

26. Often takes place during breaks when college students aren’t in class or on campus

28. Budgeting/math activity on college tuition and fees

29. Language arts essay or history project about the college or a famous alumniGeneral college prep curriculum such as NELA’s “I’m Going to College” or College Board’s CollegeEd are also good places to look for activities and lesson plans.

31. Location (distance from home, online, rural, urban, etc.)

32. Number of students (small, medium, or large)

33. Student life (on-campus housing, extracurricular activities, sports teams, social and academic support)

34. Student body diversity (single-sex, ethnic diversity)

35. Religious affiliation or non-denominational

36. Cost and financial aid availabilityUse the CollegeBoard’s online College Quickfinder: Compare tool or our College Comparison Scorecard.

38. See our booklet and power point presentationGearing Up: Helping Your Middle School Student Prepare for College and Career

40. Organizing bus transportation

41. Ordering bagged lunches

42. Recruiting chaperones

43. Collecting permission slips

45. Directions, maps, and parking information

46. Cell phone numbers for chaperones, staff and bus drivers

47. Items students should bring (or leave at home)

49. Communicate with campus contact if you will be early or late

50. Supervise students and monitor behavior

51. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather (advise students to do the same, as most college visits require a lot of walking outside)Most importantly, have fun! Take photos and make it an exciting event for everyone involved. If you enjoy yourself, the students will too!

53. Host additional Parent Information Nights

54. Have College T-Shirt Fridays or other traditions that reinforce the college-going culture of your school or class

55. Refer back to information learned during the college visit