Robert Frost at Amherst.

When visiting colleges, spend some time listening to and watching what students are doing.  See how the students are interacting, what they are wearing, what books they’re reading and so on.  Are the students lively and enjoying what they are doing?

It is always a good idea to do the traditional tours, to observe classes and to attend informational meetings on campus.  To get a real sense of the school, go and speak with the students and observe what they do outside of classrooms.

The alumni network will tell about how the graduates feel about their college education.  Find out what career paths alumni have chosen and who some of the “famous” alumni are.

If the college offers an interview, you must use that opportunity or you will be put at a disadvantage, at least with some colleges.  However, many schools do not require or recommend that you ask for an interview.  If you do have an interview, try to highlight yourself with what the college wants to know more about yourself.  The most important thing, however, is being yourself.  You want to attend a college because it will fulfill your educational needs not because of its ranking, after all.

Whatever you do during your visits to a college, enjoy yourself, try to imagine yourself among the students and see if you will like it.