College visits are in full swing for Arlington High School students. With over 70% of high school students wanting to pursue a higher education, discovering trips to universities can help you find the place for your next step in education .
The college admission and visiting process is unique and tailored to the person. Whether someone is focused on academics, social life or sports, visiting colleges gives a perspective that you couldn’t see online. Grand Canyon University (GCU) does all expenses paid for discovery trip every year for the eligible senior class, and Western Washington University (WWU) and Washington State University (WSU) do on site admissions.
“I’m looking to be an elementary teacher and GCU has a very good program for that that I got to hear all about [ On the GCU discovery trip] and is really intriguing. I haven’t heard much yet about the WSU elementary program but I’m interested in looking into that more. I was able to visit GCU’s campus and it was a really fun experience to be able to live on their campus for two nights and feel what it would be like if I went there. I haven’t ever toured Wazzu’s campus yet but I’m excited to do so in the spring,” said Sophie Jean-Louis (26).
Colleges have many things to offer students, good programs, the major they want, greek life, sport, campus and more. Visits are able to show you things about a college you may have never seen, or give the ability to ask questions to an on site representative.
“It’s important to go on college visits because you can know and see in person where you can go. You can only see so much online and you don’t really know how up-to-date everything is. So if you go there in person and see it then it makes it very clear what you’re going to be going into,” said Camden Knudson (26).
In the office wing (A) our School to Work Coordinator, Lisa Rodino can answer any questions a student may have about college, or after high school next steps. To schedule an appointment you can email her, or go to the Career Center website to see her Calendar.
Setting up a meeting with Rodino may help with nerves or just questions about what’s next. She also can help prepare students for their college visits and give them the information to make their trip the most fulfilling.
“I would ask about how many applications they get, how many applications they accept, what is a profile of a good student, and also being able to meet with a department that they are interested in,” said Rodino.
