Take advantage of campus visits at Columbia College

Use campus visits to get a feel for a college and whether it would be a good fit for your student.

Visiting the Columbia College campus is a good way to talk to an enrollment counselor about topics that matter to you and your student. Ask about degree programs and related career outcomes. Discuss ways to pay for college, including financial aid and scholarships. This is your opportunity to get the information your family needs to make an informed decision.

It’s OK to ask your tour guide questions, as well. Here are a few to consider:

• How safe is the campus? Are there dedicated campus safety officers and how often do they patrol?
• What are the smoking/alcohol policies on campus?
• Who will be teaching the majority of classes — professors or graduate teaching assistants?
• What is the average class size?

Get the most from each campus visit. Here's how:

• Keep notes about each Columbia College campus visit. Include costs and scholarship opportunities. Make a note of the degree programs your child may be interested in pursuing. Jot down how you felt about the campus during your visit.
• Include a list of pros and cons for each school. Pros may include features such as a locked-in tuition rate, scholarship availability and safety. Cons may include large class sizes or how difficult it may be for your child to become involved.
• Take pictures during the tour to remember the feel of the campus.
• Consider the location. Will it be easy for your child to get around, both on campus and in the community? Is there an airport nearby? How difficult would it be for your student to travel back and forth during holiday and summer breaks?