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Trevor Sturgeon, High School Counselor at the Singapore American School, comments on the significance of campus visits for high school students
Each summer, students are faced with a multitude of options for summer experiences. Some travel home to spend time with extended families they only see once a year, others find enriching internships or summer jobs, and others take the time to explore new places, learn a new language or embrace a new experience. These are all brilliant options - it is important that high school students use their summer productively instead of simply ‘hanging out’ for eight weeks. Colleges do not really care what you do so long as it is something you are interested in and provides you with an opportunity for further knowledge or growth.
A valuable option for sophomore and junior students to consider is to take some time to visit colleges - the fast-approaching next step of their educational journey - to get a sense of what types of colleges might be the ‘the right fit’. An old adage says “college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won” and there is simply no single better way to determine a good match than to see the college firsthand. While the inevitable ‘college road trip’ has long been a tradition for many families living in the United States, international students and families have recently begun to see the benefits and advantages of personally experiencing different college environments as well. With admission to selective schools becoming increasingly more competitive each year, it seems international students are more determined than ever to make the best match possible.
The benefits of walking around the campus, hearing directly from admissions’ representatives about their programmes, sitting in classrooms, eating in the cafeteria, seeing dormitories in person, and talking with real students are unmatched. As the College Board says: “A college catalog, viewbook, or website can only show you so much.” In fact, research indicates that college tours are the single most influential factor in determining where students apply! EDUinReview.com calls college visits “one of the essentials when deciding on a college…” while Dave Barry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and Miami Herald columnist, writes on CollegeConfidential.com: “As your child heads toward college, take the time to plan college visits. A small investment in time now can save significant time, money and hassles during the college application period that's coming sooner than you think.”
Last summer, seventeen Singapore American School students joined eight other students from international schools in the Philippines, Japan and China on an exciting and educational tour of colleges from Boston to Washington, DC. The students found the experience invaluable, enlightening and a ton of fun. One student said "…it helped solidify my initial choice of schools but the tour also got me thinking about applying to certain schools I hadn't previously considered”, while another added, “not only do you leave knowing where you want to go, where you want to apply and what to look for in a college, but also experience a lot of friendships and great times.” Parents shared their pleasure, with one parent calling it “tremendous value for dollar” and another sharing that “the tour enabled my daughter to focus on the colleges of her choice. She now knows where she wants to apply.”
Whether you visit as family or have your child join an organised tour with experienced counsellors who have direct connections with the college administrations, the college tour is a vital link in your child’s education. What matters most is that your child applies to the most fitting selection of colleges to suit his or her individual needs. A personal visit to these colleges provides insights not available from books, pamphlets, or the internet. As one international student said, “College brochures only include a fraction of the information. The college tours and information sessions will give you a much better idea of what a school is like and whether you would be happy there."
Written by Trevor Sturgeon (2011)
High School Counsellor – Singapore American School
Tour Director - TS College Tours
TS College Tours conducts visits to colleges in the USA and Canada for international students.
