The Campus Visit: A Trip Worth Taking
When it comes to the college search, anyone will tell you that visiting potential schools is a good idea. Campus visits not only give you the chance to see the school in person, but they allow you to get a feel for the student community. Prospective students who participate in overnight visits get the added bonus of experiencing dorm life, sitting in classes, and tasting dining hall cuisine.
During my junior and senior year of high school, I visited a variety of universities in my quest to find the best fit. Some I could immediately tell weren't right for me, while others seemed like viable options. Nowhere did I feel quite so comfortable, however, as here at Rochester.
Despite my home base being on the other side of the country, I was lucky enough to visit Rochester twice—the first time in late June for a tour and info session, the second time in mid-March for an overnight stay. Each experience was uniquely different, but I found both to be extremely valuable. The combination of the two was more than enough for me to know that I’d found my new home.
Here’s a little about my two visits:
Visit One: Summer Info Session and Tour
My first visit was at the very end of June and the weather in Rochester was beautiful. The red brick of the buildings was accented by expanses of green lawn and flowering trees. The sun was shining and the sky was blue—a gorgeous day for a tour. But first up was the info session. Led by an admissions counselor, information sessions are designed to inform prospective students and their families about all the exciting things that the university has to offer and answer any specific questions they might have.
I’d just completed my junior year, and while I’d done some exploring on the rochester.edu website, I quickly learned that there was still quite a bit that I hadn’t discovered about Rochester. What stood out to me the most were the explanations of Rochester’s open curriculum and Take Five program.
After everyone’s questions had been answered, it was time for the tour. Five pairs of student tour guides introduced themselves to our large group of visiting students, including a little about themselves and their interests. We were then free to pick the tour guide pair of our choice. I was visiting that day with one of my friends from home who was considering taking the pre-med track in college. Lucky for us, one tour guide pair was made up of an international relations major (aligning with my interests) and a chemistry major (aligning with my friend’s).
Our tour guides, Chris and James, spent the next hour taking us around the campus, sharing both their knowledge of Rochester and their personal experiences. While the entirety of the tour was great, what stuck with me the most was James’ concluding comment: “Rochester doesn't make you sacrifice anything you love; you’re really able to explore and enjoy everything you’re passionate about here.” No words could have been more exciting to hear. This description was everything I was looking for in a college and I have to say, since coming here, I've definitely found them to be true.
Visit Two: Winter Overnight Stay
While my first visit was wonderful, my second visit certainly gave me a better idea of student life at Rochester. Instead of blue skies and green ivy, I arrived to a campus covered in snow and populated by students—it was beautiful in an entirely different way.
I was back in Rochester for a special scholarship interview event, so my experience this time around was fairly unique in some respects, but quite similar to any other overnight stay in others. What I found most valuable about my second visit, however, were the things that any prospective student would experience on an overnight stay: meeting current students, staying in a dorm, observing a class, and exploring the campus.
During my visit, I stayed in Burton (one of the upperclassman dorms on the Quad) with a junior in her single room. Like all visiting prospies, I slept on the floor, thankful for the sleeping bag I’d packed. I got to try out the showers in the communal bathroom and eat my meals at the dining halls, getting a taste of real college living if only for a couple days.
I met several current students during my visit who were kind enough to show me around the school. One freshman took me on a tour of Rush Rhees Library and introduced me to the “secret” Robbins Library that I now consider one of my favorite places on campus. Another freshman, an international relations major, let me tag along to one of her IR classes. It was under 20 students (an ideal size in my opinion), and while the professor moved through the material slightly faster than I was used to, I could certainly see myself being comfortable with such a course in the future.
Overall, my second stay was both enlightening and encouraging, validating the positive impressions I’d gotten on my first visit, and ultimately convincing me thoroughly that Rochester was where I belonged.
Why you should visit campus—and what to do if you can't
Students who are unable to make the trip to Rochester should not despair if visiting the campus just isn't within their means. Along with tons of other great info, the Office of Admissions provides a variety of apps to give all students a feel for the campus and student life. These include a virtual tour, 3D models of dorms, and student profiles. I know plenty of current students who weren't able to visit Rochester before making their decision to enroll, and all of them are as happy as can be with what they found when they finally made it here.
But for students who are capable of making the trip and are wondering if they should, my advice is to do it. If nothing else, a trip to the campus might be a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon or an exciting break from the monotony of senior year. More than likely, however, a campus visit could be the thing that convinces you to send in your acceptance of admission.