Nothing can replace the feeling of school spirit as students funnel into a stadium for the big game. You cannot describe the smell of pine trees as you walk to the engineering building. But if you cannot visit every campus on your list, at least get a feel for them like never before. With COVID-19, universities took it to a whole new level to capture the interest of prospective students.
Technology is great. You can visit the amazing sites of the world with Google Earth and Maps. And this same innovation allows you to check out a college campus without traveling all the way there. But keep in mind where the information is coming from. Is a school going to show you its run-down freshman dorm? Or that seedy side street you pass on the way to the library? Of course not! They want to sell you.
The most obvious place to start is the college page itself. Many schools are taking advantage of free advertising by creating video and interactive displays of their campuses. Browse the school's website and see what the school promotes as their view of campus. Next, try your hand at several other looks at the campus. There are many out there, each with their own style and features. By looking at multiple sites, you are sure to see things from varying perspectives. Below are a list of sites that can guide you. By no means is this comprehensive. Be warned, some of the more familiar names will pop up on each site while some other schools seem absent. Be patient and keep looking for information. College Board offers this guide to help break down what look for and some thing to think about.
Technology is great. You can visit the amazing sites of the world with Google Earth and Maps. And this same innovation allows you to check out a college campus without traveling all the way there. But keep in mind where the information is coming from. Is a school going to show you its run-down freshman dorm? Or that seedy side street you pass on the way to the library? Of course not! They want to sell you.
The most obvious place to start is the college page itself. Many schools are taking advantage of free advertising by creating video and interactive displays of their campuses. Browse the school's website and see what the school promotes as their view of campus. Next, try your hand at several other looks at the campus. There are many out there, each with their own style and features. By looking at multiple sites, you are sure to see things from varying perspectives. Below are a list of sites that can guide you. By no means is this comprehensive. Be warned, some of the more familiar names will pop up on each site while some other schools seem absent. Be patient and keep looking for information. College Board offers this guide to help break down what look for and some thing to think about.
This site readily searches out many schools but most links take you to the school's sponsored videos or tours. But the one-stop site will let you look at more schools quicker than just going site to site.
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Get past the heavy ads and view a "college roadtrip" style of videos with two hosts checking out campuses. Interviews with students and faculty support some nicely done videos.
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Most schools here sport about 10 videos of major campus locations, as well as links to important sites, and other useful information (ex. tuition costs, admit rates, size, etc.)
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You VisitNot just limited to colleges, this site will show you an interesting range of schools with beautiful images.
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Campus ReelStudent-produced videos come highly recommended by a number of sources, including the College Essay Guy.
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Virtual Resources
Many schools conducted live and recorded information sessions online during COVID-19. Here are some links for the time being that are useful in checking out virtual information sessions and tours.
Kelly Fraser at Green Apple College
Virtual College Tours Master Spreadsheet
A List of Virtual Visit Resources
Kelly Fraser at Green Apple College
Virtual College Tours Master Spreadsheet
A List of Virtual Visit Resources