College planning is entering uncharted territory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This post focused on the impact to campus visits. In an effort to help share information, I’ll be posting virus-related developments in addition to my regular content. My hope is that the information doesn’t insight anxiety or contribute to any sense of fear or uncertainty that you may be feeling. Rather these posts are intended to help keep us grounded in updates and plans, with reminders of how to positively approach the new terrain.
Typically, students in grades 11 or 12 would be preparing for spring campus visits or admitted student days at this time. However, many of these traditional options are off the table due to travel restrictions and closed campuses in light of COVID-19.
What can you do to explore your options and perhaps make your final college decision?
New Online Alternatives to a Campus Visit
While there is no equal comparison to setting foot on a campus in full swing, there are alternatives. While traditional campus visits are cancelled, experiencing campus can still happen in spite of COVID-19.
Online Platforms: Have you heard of the online platforms You Visit, Campus Reel, or Campus Tours? These are examples of some of the many sites that offer virtual campus tours, interactive maps, and other online media content to help students like you get a better feel for campus. In order to access the content, most sites will require you to create a free account. Bonus: You’ll probably get to see the campus in some of its best weather and when students are present.
- You Visit provides over video tours for over 600 different college campuses
- Campus Reel allows users to sort colleges based on geography, size, selectivity
- College Week Live offers video guidance for other aspects of your college planning in addition to views of campus
- Campus Tours includes interactive maps, virtual walking tours, and more multi-media resources
Connect with College Admissions Counselors: Many admissions counselors have cut their in-person travel plans. However, counselors are still working and still very interested in getting to know you and helping you determine your best college plans. They are not only more accessible by email and phone, but are creating new opportunities like virtual conferences, webinars, and one-on-one online conversations. Tip for communicating with admissions officers: Be sure you aren’t asking a basic question. If you could find the answer on the website, it’s too basic. Also be sure your truly interested in the response to your question. Don’t waste your own time or the college’s time.
Other Online Alternatives to a Campus Visit
- Go straight to the source, college websites. Dig deeper into your academic programs of interest, read professor bios, explore the past years’ events calendar, etc. Know that with the upcoming weeks and months looking different for college staff, too, many are planning on updating and upgrading their website and online presence.
- Check out your colleges’ social media accounts. This is a good way to stay updated on current events and changing plans, too. Keep in mind, current posts may not reflect typical campus life. In order to really get a flavor of what campus is like in more normal times, look backwards to previous posts. Consider joining LinkedIn if you haven’t yet to explore your colleges’ presence there!
- Continue to explore the general college research and information sites you may have already started looking at. Review sites like CollegeBoard’s Big Future, College Navigator, College Express, Niche, Unigo, CustomCollegePlan, or your school Naviance account.
Further Reading for COVID-19 and Campus Visits
If you’re interested in further reading about COVID-19 and campus visits or other college planning milestones, check out some of these links.
- This NYTimes article about 12th graders making a college decision from home.
- Though not directly related to COVID-19, the recent Georgia Tech admissions blog post “It Works Out” is excellent reminder for all of us in the process.
- In this college blog post, a college student weighs in on how to “experience” campus when you can’t visit in person.
- This thorough Forbes article gives sage advice and resources for 12th grade students choosing a college during the global pandemic.
Reminder to You, Dear Student
It’s okay to be sad, frustrated, upset, angry, insert-your-own-emotion-here. The novel coronavirus pandemic has complicated many parts of our lives. It’s normal and important to grieve the losses, both big and small. Give yourself a set amount of time to be upset, angry, or however you’re feeling. And then be gracious with yourself when the grief crops up again later.
After your set time, take the reigns back from your emotions. Remind yourself that there are now and will always be things in your life that are outside of your control. Take courage in your own resiliency and ingenuity to adapt to unknown situations. Find comfort in the support and love of those around you.
We don’t know what the future looks like, but then we never really have.
And that’s okay. We’re going to get through this!
There are a variety of resources on my website that can help you on your college journey. If you find that you have further questions or are interested in learning more about my services and support, please reach out.
