Make the Most of Summer College Visits: Be Creative, Plan Ahead, Reach Out

Summer is a bit of a Catch-22: Now that you have more time for visiting colleges, most of the students are gone.

To really get the “vibe” of a school, there’s no match for seeing it in session. But summer visits—done right—can actually offer unique and even game-changing opportunities to connect. Many professors, coaches and students are away, but, in my experience, the ones who are there often have more time to chat.

Here are few summer visit success stories I’ve heard from my clients over the years, to show you what I mean:

• A student and parent visiting a large research university wander into the new Data Sciences building, and end up striking up a conversation with a professor in the hallway. The professor spends 15 minutes delving into the exciting work undergrads are doing in the field. This info helps the student realize this school is her #1 choice and write a slam-dunk “Why Us?” essay.

• A student interested in walking-on a crew team strolls down to get a glimpse of the boathouse, not even planning to go in. One of the head coaches comes out to introduce himself, and after a long conversation strongly encourages the student to apply, letting him know he'd likely have a spot on the team—and (we think) eventually writing a supportive note to the admissions office.

• In advance of her visit, a student reaches out to a professor that an admissions representative had connected her with, after meeting the student at a local college fair. The professor happens to be free and ends up spending over an hour discussing the student's interests with her. By the end of the conversation, the professor announces that the student is a perfect fit for the college, and ends up strongly advocating for her in admissions.

Of course, during the summer, there are still plenty of closed doors and extremely busy people on every college campus. But if you really want to make the most of those June, July and August visits, take your time, let yourself wander, and don’t be afraid to ask questions—you never know where this could lead!