How do I decide on a college if I can't visit in person?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and due to my family's financial situation, I haven't been able to visit any of the colleges I'm applying to in person. How do I decide on a college if I can't visit? Are virtual tours enough, or should I rely on other resources? Any advice is appreciated!

Hey there! I understand that not being able to visit colleges in person can make the decision process a bit more challenging. While virtual tours and information sessions can give you a sense of the campus layout and some facilities, they may not provide the complete picture—getting a feel for the campus culture over Zoom is especially difficult. However, there are several other resources you can use to make an informed decision.

First, consider reaching out to current students or recent alumni from the colleges you're interested in. Social media platforms and college forums can be great places to connect with them. They'll be able to give you firsthand insights into campus life, academics, and extracurricular activities.

Second, attend virtual admission events and college fairs. Many colleges are now offering webinars and Q&A sessions to help prospective students learn more about their programs. These events can be a great opportunity to connect with people from the admissions office, to get a feel for the school's community and values.

Third, while it's not the same as visiting, comb through each college's website thoroughly, focusing on the academic programs, faculty, clubs, and organizations that interest you. This can help you determine if a college offers opportunities that align with your personal goals and passions.

Finally, consider applying to some fly-in programs, which are designed for students in exactly your situation—while you do have to be accepted after a competitive application process, these programs typically fly students from lower-income or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds in for a campus visit, with all expenses covered by the school. To learn more about these programs, you can check out CollegeVine's blog post on them: https://blog.collegevine.com/college-fly-in-and-diversity-programs-a-complete-list

By combining all these resources, you should be able to make an informed decision about which school is the right match for you. Best of luck!