Why visit colleges in the dead of winter?

14.04 Don't wait until summer to visit colleges!

Some of you international students have a long winter or early spring break coming up. Here's why that's a great time to visit colleges in the United States or the United Kingdom!

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Athena Advises

You may be thinking that summer is the best time for a college tour. You'll have more time for a leisurely drive with your family. The weather will be balmy and campuses will be in full bloom.

Here are two good reasons to prefer braving the elements to visit during what Germans call "ski week."

First, while visiting a university during the summer is pleasant, you won't see the students! The people you'll see on campus will be visitors at summer school, not necessarily people who will be there in the fall studying for a degree. The admissions office may even be closed! Winter break is a chance for you to check out the student body and ask yourself, "Do these look like people with whom I'd like to spend the next four years?"

Second, a winter visit is your chance to attend class. Be sure to sign up for a class in advance, on the college's website. This may be your chance to feel the energy as hundreds of students fill the hall for Economics 101 at a large university. If you're visiting a smaller college, you may discover the attractions of being in a small group, discussing the assigned reading with a professor who is seated at the table with you.

So what do you think of the student body? Are they people who look happy to be there? Do they speak up when asked what they thought of the reading for the day? Would you like to be sauntering in and opening your notebook along with the rest of the class?

Both socially and academically, a February or March break can be the best time to go, simply because school is in session. If April is better for your schedule, check to see if you can arrange to visit before students leave for spring break.

If you expect to be hearing from colleges over the next few weeks, you may want to wait, so that you can visit during "Accepted Student Days." We'll have more to say about that as April approaches.

Dr. Marlena Corcoran