CollegePlannerPro Blog

College is not just about the facts and figures of an institution or the brand name. It is also about the community and campus life. The two main reasons students drop out of college are either due to running out of money or feeling like they don't fit in. Experts are even reevaluating the value of college rankings. Bard College and Colorado College, for instance, have announced that they will no longer participate in the U.S. News & World Report’s undergraduate rankings. With this in mind, it's more about finding the "right fit" than finding the "best school." But how do we effectively communicate that to students and, more importantly, to parents?

Having been through the college admissions journey before with two older kids, one might think the 3^rd time around is easier. Well, as we all know, each and every student is different and times change quickly as we have experienced in the last 6 months. With school closings and travel restrictions in place, accepted students and prospective families have had to adapt quickly and find other methods for getting a real feel and vibe of a college campus with the absence of in person tours, information sessions and college visits. My youngest is a rising senior in high school and up until this point; he has not had the opportunity to visit many colleges due to sports commitments in the fall and spring. So what now? How do students and parents connect with college campuses, their community and their students? Can you really get a vibe or feel of a campus from a virtual perspective? The answer to all these questions is – yes, you can. Grab a journal, notebook, or phone and let’s get started.

Here are 5 important tips you can pass on to the families you work with to get a better sense of college life.