Campus Life

Thanks to the Internet, it's become easier than ever for prospective students to check out college campuses. Colleges and universities have their own websites, where you can find valuable information about majors, student life, financial aid, and all kinds of stuff. Many websites even offer virtual tours, so you can get a good idea of what the campus looks like. And with lots of college ranking sites online, like the Princeton Review, students can get lots of information about schools without ever leaving their computer.

But does all of this replace a traditional visit to a college campus? Of course not. Yes, if you truly are unable to travel to a campus you are considering--for financial or other reasons--a campus tour might be a decent substitution. But if at all possible, spend at least a day on campuses that interest you.

Why is this so important? Well, for one thing, keep in mind that the college website is, in part, a public relations tool. The website isn't going to lie about what's available on campus, but they also want to portray the school in the best light possible. You need to get a feel for the campus, warts and all.

In addition, there's really no substitute for being there, walking around, attending a class or two, and finding out what everyday life is like on campus. Shopping for a college isn't like shopping for a sweater, which you probably feel perfectly comfortable buying online. Shopping for a college is like buying a house. You're going to live there for a significant period of your life. You wouldn't buy a house online-- and you shouldn't buy a college this way either.