Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after high school. The college or university you choose can have a significant effect not only on your prospective career path, but also on the lifelong friends you make. When choosing a school, it’s a good idea to visit as many as possible to get a feel for the different campuses, professors and surrounding cities. If any of the schools on your campus visit list are relatively close, consider taking a college visit road trip. You’ll be able to explore the area at your own pace and get an idea of what spending four years at the campus might be like. Here’s a simple guide to planning a college visit road trip:

What to bring: Depending on how long you plan to stay in the area, you’ll want to bring a few changes of clothes. Prepare for the college visit just as you would a job interview. Business casual clothing is usually appropriate; you may not need to wear a suit, but jeans probably aren’t appropriate either. Remember that when meeting with professors and advisors, they will be assessing you while you are assessing the school. Present yourself well to make a good first impression.

How to prepare: Just like with a job interview, it’s a good idea to research the school before visiting. Though you’ll learn a lot about the programs offered during your college visit, look into the degrees that sound interesting so you’re able to ask informed questions when you arrive. You should also make sure to call ahead and schedule an official visit. You can probably come to campus and walk around without an appointment, but coordinating your visit through the admissions office will give you the opportunity to speak with faculty, get a tour of the campus and even sit in on a few classes.

Where to stay: If you have the opportunity and time, stay at the college or university overnight. One day may not be enough time to take in everything the campus has to offer, and some colleges will even set you up with a current student whose dorm you can stay in for the night. This is a great way to get a firsthand account of student life at the college you’re visiting. If a dorm isn’t available, most colleges and universities have hotels or inns close by where you can reserve a room.

How many to visit: Make the most of your college visit road trip by planning to visit two or more colleges in the same area. You can save time and see more schools by scheduling multiple college visits during one road trip.

When visiting a new college, be honest with yourself about the things you like and don’t like about each school. And remember that a college you didn’t like at fist could surprise you in the end. Preparing for your road trip is the best way to ensure its success, and that means keeping up on car maintenance and checking your auto insurance coverage. Have a mechanic look over your vehicle before embarking on your trip and look for online car insurance comparison tools to collect and compare auto insurance quotes. Not having the right insurance coverage and maintenance check-ups can end your college visit road trip prematurely.

Note: Sponsored content was created and provided by Nationwide Insurance.


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