Visiting Campus from Your Couch

If your college visit plans have been interrupted due to COVID-19, know you are not alone. Summer is usually one of our busiest times of the year at Georgia State’s Welcome Center, and while we’ve missed seeing everyone in person, we have also been working diligently to make sure you get all the information you need to continue making those big college decisions.

Like Georgia State, many other institutions have moved their events and info sessions online for the foreseeable future. We sent some of our expert tour guides to explore virtual events from universities all across the country to better understand what our guests are working with. As you navigate your college search from home, here are some tips to keep in mind!

1. Sort through your options: Some schools, especially those who already had existing virtual options, have a variety of online services already available. We saw a lot of virtual click-through tours, which are a great starting point for getting a feel for the campus. If the school you are looking at has live options, make those a priority to attend as those are the perfect opportunity to ask questions and interact with a real human!
2. Do your research: Before you attend a live session, do your research on the school’s website to narrow down what exactly you want to get out of the session. Go through the virtual tour, explore the Admissions and Financial Aid webpages, and read up on any online pamphlets the school offers, all while noting any questions that come up that you could ask an admissions counselor or current student.
3. Try not to overschedule: It may seem efficient to schedule multiple sessions back-to-back, and while it is definitely possible, we found it to be more strenuous than it was worth. The information in these admissions sessions is undeniably important, but it’s not exactly “binge-worthy.” If possible, limit yourself to one school’s sessions per day.
4. Set yourself up in a productive environment: Tuning out of an online session is unfortunately easy, so try to eliminate any distractions around you and tune in from a quiet room with good internet access. Taking notes is another great way to stay focused, and you can use your notes to compare information from different schools!
5. Ask the important questions: Current events might have you wondering how a university will support you in any circumstance. Ask about student support systems and resources, remote learning and next steps. If possible, ask these questions to current students to better understand their experience. Having answers to these questions can be a comfort to you as well as a guide to which universities on your list prioritize student support.

While online information sessions and virtual tours cannot replace the experience of walking through an actual campus, connecting with Admissions staff and current students is still an option for Georgia State and many other universities. You can still get answers to your questions while getting a glimpse into what college life is all about! Be sure to check out the Welcome Center’s website and sign up for a live virtual information session, a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor, or a whole host of informative live events we have planned for you. We miss you, we’re here for you, and we hope to see you soon!