ISSUE FOCUS:
CAMPUS VISIT TIPS FOR STUDENTS
When you arrive on campus for a college visit, think of yourself as a savvy shopper, not a tourist. After all, you're not there to passively see the sights; you're there to assess the school's potential to be the right place for you. To do that well, you need to be prepared. Here's how to get the information you need to make this important decision about your future.
> Pathfinder: Resources and More

A Click Away: College Visit Resources

College Search Resources for AISES Members
> First Step: Choose Your Schools

It's important to enlist your parents and guidance counselor to help you identify schools that are good choices for you in terms of academics, campus community, location, and finances. Remember that whatever your situation is, it's unique, and selecting a college is not a "once size fits all" proposition. Do you want a bustling urban campus, or would you be more comfortable in a small town? Do you want a large university, with all that has to offer, or the more personalized support system of a smaller school? How important is it that a college community attracts many Native students and actively supports them? What about having strong departments in subjects that interest you? While it's tempting to apply to the same schools as your best friends, that may not be the greatest idea. True, heading out on your own to a school that's a good fit for you can seem daunting; it means finding your own place in an incoming freshman class. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, which makes this an unbeatable opportunity to grow your circle of friends and build your confidence. 
> Get Ready, Get Set, Go!

The whole process of touring colleges can seem overwhelming. And if you're doing it right, arriving at your list of possible choices will involve serious research as well as thoughtful discussions with your parents, teachers, and counselors. Once you have a list of colleges you are thinking about, carefully weigh your time and finances to determine which of those campuses it makes logistical sense to visit. Depending on when you start and how many schools are on your list, you might be looking at months of visits with little time available for each stop. But considering that you are selecting your future university, it makes sense to maximize this time.

When it comes to lining up actual campus tours there's nothing wrong with visiting "C list" schools, especially if they are nearby, just to comparison shop, but your serious attention should be focused on your personal best fits. Ideally, you'll be able to visit all the schools you are considering. But this is not always possible and sometimes you have to rely on "virtual tours" and hope that if you are admitted there will be funds available for a visit. (Some schools have special scholarships for this purpose.) But remember that there are many satisfied students attending colleges they didn't lay eyes on until they arrived for their first semester. READ MORE


> Campus Tour Do's and Don'ts

Do
  • Strike out on your own tour
  • Your research
  • Visit at the optimal time
  • Feel comfortable on campus
  • Check out the local hot spots
  • Take pictures
Don't
  • Take the tour at face value
  • Withhold questions
  • Let your parents take hold of your visit
  • Neglect to ask questions of current students
  • Forget to step back and breathe
  • Ignore your parents' advice


The Ely S. Parker Award is the highest honor bestowed by AISES. The purpose of the award is to recognize those Native leaders who most clearly embody AISES' mission and goals through their achievements and contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math.

AISES is now accepting applications for the third Lighting the Pathway cohort. The program's goal is to increase the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in STEM faculty positions at universities and tribal colleges across the country.

AISES is now accepting applications for the Naval Sea Systems Command and Strategic Systems Program Scholarship, AISES ExxonMobil Geosciences Scholarship Program, and Certified Federal Surveyors Scholarship Program.
Nov. 10-12
Minneapolis, Minn.
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