As a sophomore who’s just begun the transition into utilizing college counseling, I realize how intimidating choosing a university can be. I mean, with hundreds of them across the country, how am I supposed to narrow down my choices to just a few?

After talking with some of my upperclassmen peers, I’ve learned that college representative visits (although they seem terrifying) are a great way to discover what my interests are and what I’m looking for in a campus without having to go on tours miles away from home.

So how can I sign up for a visit, and what are they like? What can I expect? 

College rep visits are available to attend at the college counseling office (near the Nest) only by registering on Naviance beforehand, a site students use to prepare applications and resumes, which lists all the university representatives visiting the school throughout the semester.

A college rep visit is the equivalent of an information session at a university: the representatives explain everything about the school, from campus life to acceptance rates, and answer any questions you might have. Best of all, especially during visits with smaller attendance, they cater to your individual interests by offering in depth explanations of specific programs that might appeal to you.

In some cases, they can even find you some connections to get with alumni who graduated with a major you are considering.

With that in mind, I found myself asking my older peers what I should do to prepare, and also what I shouldn’t do. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts that highlight the most important points:

Do:

-Bring an iPad or notepad with you.

-Take notes on important information about the college, including financial aid, tuition costs, SAT/ACT scores, etc., as well as other facts that you find personally appealing about the school.

Don’t:

-Attend a visit just because your friends are. The purpose of a college rep visit is to discover what schools you want to go to, not what they want. If you do happen to go to the same one as a friend, don’t be distracted and chatting with them during the meeting; stay focused and pay attention.

-Slouch, rest your head on the table, or make any sort of a bad impression toward the representative. It’s important to realize that the representatives are members of the university’s administration and consider students that go to their sessions to be potential applicants; thus, a bad impression could affect your chances of getting in.

Be engaged and show them that you’re eager to learn about what their school has to offer, and in turn, they will be just as willing to answer your questions.