Navigating Campus Cultures: A Guide to Finding Your Ideal College
Every college has a culture all its own. Some schools feature students whose social lives revolve around Greek life or attending sporting events. Others are quieter and have a more artsy or religious vibe. Universities with a large student population might become almost spooky on weekends because everyone decides to go home, while there are also colleges where everyone spends their weekends in their dorms on campus. Choosing the best college for you is about more than just academics. You also need to consider the campus culture as well.
How can you determine whether or not a school’s campus fits your needs? Here are some tips to get you started with your search.
Tour the Campus
You can choose to tour the campus with an official guide, on your own with just a map, or both. No matter what, spend some time taking in what the students are doing in their free time. Are they sitting on the quad, talking? Are they in the library studying? Can you find them by the stadium, painting signs for that weekend’s game? You can learn a lot about the overall culture of a school just from wandering the campus.
Spend a Weekend There
Many schools will allow you to spend a weekend on campus as a high school student. You’ll be paired with a campus ambassador or other volunteer and be able to enjoy a weekend in their dorm room. This visit will show you what the school is really like on weekends, as well as give you a first-hand glimpse of the school’s overall culture from the inside.
Sit in on a Class
Ask the college’s admissions department if you can sit in on a class or two. As long as you promise not to do anything to interrupt the class, they’ll more than likely allow you to do so. They may or may not check with the professor beforehand, so keep this in mind when you attend the lecture. If you really want to see what the college course experience consists of at a specific school, this is your best option.
Talk to the Students
Outside of your official tour, spend some time discussing things with the other students. Ask them what they do for fun on weekends and whether or not they’d recommend certain extracurricular activities that you’re interested in. This will give you a feel for how the students view the school and the activities, helping you determine whether or not the university is one you’d like to attend.
Examine the Extracurriculars
Speaking of extracurricular activities, which ones does the school offer? Check to see if they have any that interest you, and if they don’t, if the school is willing to allow you to start an organization. Since campus life and culture is very important, you need to ensure that the college you choose offers a variety of options when it comes to how to spend your spare time.
Looking for the Right Fit? Consider Dean College
Are you looking for a school with the right cultural fit for your needs and personality? Make sure to include Dean College on your list. We’re a small school with big school options, so many students feel like they get the best of both worlds on our campus. Come tour our beautiful campus, and see if we’re the right school for you. Join us!