When helping high school students figure out which colleges are best for them, Bridget Hotrum can’t overemphasize the importance of actually visiting the campus.

The visit is essential,” she says. “It’s the number one responsibility a parent has during the college selection process.” It takes a lot of time and planning, she admits, but there’s nothing that can replace the experience of being on campus, checking out the facilities and interacting with students and faculty. Arranging a visit may cost a bit of money, depending on how far away the school is, but the further away it is the more important it is to spend a lot of time there.

So when planning a visit, be sure to:

Make appointments.

While you’re on campus, you’ll want to meet with an admissions counselor and with department faculty. Find out how the requirements of the curriculum work. Do students start classes in their majors right away, or do they take care of other requirements first? How much time do students spend on homework each week? Advance planning will pay off.

Talk to students.

This is the best way to get a realistic picture of campus life and academic expectations. Are they happy with the instruction they’re getting? Do they feel safe on campus? What do they like and dislike about the school? If possible, it’s also helpful to talk to alumni to find out if they’re happy with their college experience  now that they’re on to their careers.

Look around. Sit in on classes to see what they’re really like.

Talk to a professor afterward. Have lunch or dinner in one of the cafeterias with the rest of the students. Visit a dormitory and see what the accommodations are like. Check out the recreation room and fitness facilities, if that’s something that interests you. Stop in at the library and look around. The more you explore, the more complete a picture you’ll have of what the college is really like.

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