February break is known for being a great week to visit colleges. Some make it a family trip and others jet solo across the country to find their home for the next four years.

Matt Hodes ’13 spent his February break last year visiting colleges all around the country. Based on his experience, actually seeing the campus was very important.

“Everyone has a certain image of what a college campus looks like to them based off movies and brochures, which make it look as nice as possible and limits the perspective. Physically being there gives you a sense of what differentiates that school from other schools,” Hodes said.

Planning the trip

Many times, especially at the beginning of the college process, people visit schools that they have recognized as potential top choices. Hannah Lewis ’14 is beginning her college search over break.

Before visiting, it is important to know a little about the school. Lewis has done her research by looking at college websites and by thinking about aspects of college that are most important to her. Last February, Tory Scordato ’13 went college visiting in conjunction with a vacation to California. She spent most of her time looking at schools, but had a few extra days to travel around Los Angeles.

“It was definitely nice and relaxing after a week of college shopping,” Sarah Cooperman ’13 said when explaining her February vacation. She enjoyed being in California for extra time, getting to know the area and enjoying the nice weather.

“The warm California sun was amazing, and it gave the whole trip a lot more of a relaxing air to it. It was nice to feel kind of like you’re on vacation just because the climate of the school is so different,” Cooperman said.

Siblings

Having siblings can change the college process entirely for students. Older siblings pave the way and set a precedent.

Caitlin Hoberman ’14 has four older siblings who are already in, or have graduated from, college. She explained that because of this, she has always been ‘looking.’ “But it wasn’t until last year and the year before with my two older brothers who are now freshmen in college that I actually started thinking about me personally,” she said.

Hoberman estimates that she went on at least four real visits with her older siblings, in addition to actually going to see them at their schools. Her college process has been going on since long before she entered high school. Hoberman’s siblings have given her perspective on the process as a whole.

“I have seen each of the five of my brothers get into colleges they love. They have helped me to see that I will get in somewhere, and will love it no matter what.”

What Will Be Gained

Many people say that despite all the research you can do about a school, being there is the best way to know if a school is right.

Cooperman, who will be attending Williams College in Massachusetts, had originally planned on going to school in California, but was deterred after her visit.

“Though it was definitely nice for a few days, I realized that I really didn’t like the idea of not having seasons in a school,” she said.

Jeanette Van Dorsten ’13 is headed to George Washington University in the fall.

“I knew I had found the perfect school because I could see myself being there so easily and I loved what I imagined. It was that kind of feeling where I thought, yes this would be so awesome,” Van Dorsten said.

Hodes concluded that “the key to a good college visit is just gathering a sense of whether or not you could see yourself spending four years there.”

“The best way to imagine yourself at a school is to talk to some of the students and get a gauge of what they are like, if you see yourself being classmates with them,” Hodes said. He also thinks it is important to see the surrounding area to, “see if you enjoy a small town feel, or a city atmosphere.”

College visits can be the most fun and informational part of the whole college process. Van Dorsten advises: “When you’re visiting, don’t treat it like another college tour or just checking a name off a list because you don’t want to miss something that could be amazing or the thing that makes you want to go to that school.”