The Journey to College: Part 2

This is the second part of our regular "Journey to College" series.

'The Journey to College' series is focused on documenting our (long and hard) College Admissions Process. (dun-dun-dunnnnn)

Check out Part I: Deciding where to apply, too! 

Part II: College Tours

It feels as though I have been touring colleges all my life. 

Having incredibly academically rigorous parents, I have been touring college since I could talk and walk. (not really...)

Last Thursday, I left school early to take a quick trip to Massachusetts in order to make my final decisions of where I was going to apply.

In two days, I visited Smith College, Wellesley College, and Tufts University. 

Including those three, I have gone to a total of 18 schools.(!!! Don't I have anything better to do with my life...? Apparently not.) 

And from my experience from all of those schools, I can confidently say that I learned a couple things along the way:

1. Always, always, ALWAYS take a campus tour and attend an info session for schools that you are really interested in - your experience during your visit and your impression of the school can be impacted significantly from taking the tours and the info sessions. The info sessions help you really get the inside look at what goes on in the admissions office and the campus tours help you get a pretty legitimate grip on what the social/campus life of the school is like.
2. Take notes! After all, you're at a school - There have been countless times that I have come home with a regret of not taking notes and tons of brochures filled with little doodles. Taking notes not only helps you remember the details later on, but it helps you pay attention to the little things the admissions officers are telling you at the info sessions. The notes also become handy when you want to write in your admissions essay/personal statement about your experience visiting the school to let them know that you have actually taken the time and effort to visit them. So make sure to bring a pen and a notepad.
3. Dress nicely and comfortably - My mom always told me that people should look more pulled-together for college visits. However, that doesn't mean, "take out the high heals and tight skirts!" You will be walking a lot during the tour, so it's always best to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate attire. Most importantly, dress like your usual self. Not only do you feel more confident that way, you won't feel awkward in a dress you never wear. 
4. Do your research & ask questions: Why travel all the way to the college if you can simply look up all of the facts online? Because you're trying to figure out what they don't tell you on their websites. So it's really important to always do your research and ask unique but relevant questions! 

This past weekend in Massachusetts really helped make some of the most important decisions regarding my college choices. I was far more than impressed by all three schools. I have family who lives by Boston, and I was blessed to be able to spend time with them. Overall, it was one of the most crucial and memorable weekends this year.

• Tufts: The atmosphere of the school was great. The school is definitely most research-forward out of the three schools that I visited. The cutest thing I thought about the school was the fact that their mascot was Jumbo the elephant! 
• Wellesley: One word: GREEN. The campus is HUGE, aesthetically impressive and so very unique. The school is one  of my top choices. Although I was skeptical of the idea of going to an all women's college, the visit reassured me into believing that the school would sculpt me into a great women leader if I went there. 
• Smith: Ah, the city of Northampton, MA! It was such a cool urban city, filled with small, quirky stores and restaurants. I didn't get a chance to get an info session because their admissions office was closed on weekends, but the campus was stunning. Oh, and the deal breaker for the school? I RAN INTO MAC MILLER. (Literally!) AS I was walking and texting at the same time, I almost ran into someone. When I looked up, it was Mac Miller. I wanted to ask for a picture, but I was too awe-struck. It was one of the best moments of my life. (sorta?) 

The following are a couple pictures from the trip:

View from the flight over there--it was truly magical and this picture doesn't do any justice!

Wellesley was one of the most beautifully unique campuses I've seen.

Hint of fall at Tufts. 

The view of the sky at Northampton. Magnificent, no?

An amazing used book store I spent almost an hour in.

**These are some outfits that are similar to those that I wore this weekend. The weather in Massachusetts was so random, so I had to kind of play it by ear.  (Created through Polyvore)

Happy (almost) October! 

-Julia