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College Visits and Standardized Testing
During this time of year, the college advisors field a lot of questions from students and families revolving around two important topics: college visits and standardized testing. When it comes to exploring college campuses, particularly for upper-mid families, the upcoming breaks in spring and summer offer an ideal window. Campus visits play an integral role in the college process, affording students a firsthand glimpse into an institution’s academic and social environment. Moreover, they serve as a tangible way to demonstrate interest, which many colleges track and consider. As you contemplate arranging college tours, here are a few tips:
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Visit a range of schools. Opting for a trip to cities like Boston, Los Angeles, or Washington, D.C., where you can explore schools of varying sizes, locations, and academic emphases, proves to be an effective strategy for initial college visits.
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Immerse yourself in the community. Seize the opportunity to interact with a wide array of individuals, ranging from from tour guides and admissions representatives to current students you encounter in the food court or walking around campus. Pick up a copy of the campus newspaper, check out bulletin boards, and take lots of pictures. Go beyond campus to visit the local area and grab a meal.
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Virtual visit opportunities are also valuable. During the pandemic, colleges invested in robust virtual programming and many of those opportunities are still offered, and they can be helpful in lieu of a campus visit or to build on what you learned when visiting.
In terms of standardized testing, earlier this month Dartmouth announced they would reinstate their standardized testing requirement for the Class of 2025. Previously, MIT, Georgetown, the service academies, and several public flagships throughout the southeast brought back their SAT/ACT testing requirement. The question is how many more schools will follow suit and rollback their test-optional policies that were put into place during the pandemic. Right now, the answer is unknown, but the College Office is monitoring and speaking with college representatives.
For students, it is still our recommendation that everyone sit for standardized testing. The Compass Educational Group provides an excellent Resource Center that includes articles and tools to answer many questions related to standardized testing. Their Guide to College Admission Testing is an essential resource. As always, if you have questions please reach out to the College Office.
Additional Standardized Testing Information:
Click here for information about test prep and spring testing.
2023-24 Standardized Test Dates
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