Hey all, I'm a junior in high school and I've been researching colleges online, but I haven't had the chance to visit any campuses in person. Is it necessary to visit colleges before applying, or can I get a good sense of the schools just by researching online? I'm worried that not visiting might put me at a disadvantage. Thanks for any advice!
Hi there! It's great that you're already researching colleges as a junior. While visiting colleges in person can definitely help you get a better feel for the campus culture and environment, it's not absolutely necessary to visit before applying. Online research can still provide you with valuable information about each school. Virtual tours, videos, and student reviews can help you get a sense of the campus and its atmosphere. In fact, my own child applied to several colleges without visiting them first, and they've been very happy with their choice. However, if you have the opportunity to visit campuses after you get accepted, I would highly recommend doing so. This can help you make a more informed decision on which college to attend. So, while not visiting before applying won't put you at a disadvantage, visiting the campuses of your top choices after being accepted can be very beneficial. Good luck with your college search!
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