Visiting campuses: You’ve got to see it for yourself

September 11, 10:11 AMSeattle College Bound ExaminerJulie Manhan

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Inside Cornish College of the Arts

One of the most important things a college bound student needs to do is to visit a variety of college campuses. By doing this you will begin to get a feel for what it is about a campus that “feels right” to you. That information is invaluable when it comes to choosing the schools you will apply to.

Most colleges offer regular tours on which you will get a chance to see classrooms, residence halls, lab facilities, art studios, etc. Becoming familiar with the differences in these things from campus to campus can help you to zero in on what’s important for you. For example, if you’re planning to major in Biology, you may not even notice that the art studios have little natural light. However, you will begin to see how labs and the types of research being done can vary from one campus to another. This information helps you to ask better questions and make more informed decisions when you start narrowing your list.

Some colleges even offer you the opportunity to sit in on classes. Whenever that option is offered, be sure to take it. It is a great way to get a sense of the professors and students. This is important because college is much more about people and relationships than it is about ivy-covered buildings.

So, you say you don’t have the resources to visit schools all over the country. Well, you’re in luck. You have some of the finest, most varied schools right in your own backyard. From famous research institutions to outstanding liberal arts universities to renowned art schools, you can find them all within a short driving distance.

Here are just some of the schools in our area that offer tours and/or other special programs for prospective students:

Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle)
The Evergreen State College (Olympia)
Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma)
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
St. Martin’s University (Lacey)
University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)
University of Washington – Bothell
University of Washington – Seattle
University of Washington – Tacoma
Western Washington University (Bellingham)

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Making applying to college less stressful
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