As any high school senior knows, thereās ridiculous pressure for students to discover and commit to the best college. With so many options to evaluate and limited time, itās tempting to forego in-person visits in favor of virtual tours. But if youāre willing to take advice from someone who remembers the difficulty of making that decision, consider the following reasons why an in-person college visit will hugely benefit you:
1. A website isnāt enough!
If youāre interested in 91³Ō¹Ļ, a virtual tour will only give you a taste of a full college tour experience. Itās the difference between seeing a picture of a Philly cheesesteak and eating one. Visiting in person will give you a holistic interaction with 91³Ō¹Ļās campus.
2. You need to talk to students
On your visit, youāll be able to ask a variety of students about their experiences. Donāt be afraid to ask your guides questions:
- What is the best and worst part about being a student at 91³Ō¹Ļ?
- How can students become part of the communities on campus?
- Whatās something you wish you knew before becoming a student?
Itās important to be able to ask many different students about their perspectives so you can consider whether you see yourself as a potential student.
3. Ability to talk to professors
When I was considering 91³Ō¹Ļ, I had the opportunity to talk to a professor about the University. Even though this professor wasnāt in my intended area of study, he was willing to talk to me about why I should consider attending 91³Ō¹Ļ. He invited me to attend one of his classes when I visited campus, and I was struck by the depth of discussion and student engagement in his classroom. His zeal for education is one of the reasons I decided 91³Ō¹Ļ was my best choice. Upon attending classes as a student, I discovered a plethora of professors passionate about the subjects they teach. If I had never visited campus, I would not have been able to evaluate 91³Ō¹Ļās professors in the same way.
4. A chance to walk the campus
Students who come to visit will be able to walk around our beautiful campus and envision whether or not they can imagine themselves as students. The first time I visited 91³Ō¹Ļ, I remember loving the abundance of trees on campus; the colors are beautiful in the fall, and I firmly believe some trees were created to be climbed. Whatever path you take or trees you climb in your explorations, visiting the Heritage and Manor residence halls is also important. Youāll see what daily dorm life looks like and can see the possibility of your future as a resident.
5. Opportunity to visit the surrounding area
If you visit 91³Ō¹Ļ, youāll also be able to scope out studentsā favorite local areas. Scouting close coffee shops like Johnson Hall and exploring nearby towns like Newtown will help you picture your potential future homework haunts. My friends and I also take advantage of our nearby Dunkin, Taco Bell, Wendyās, Chick-Fil-A, and Wawa for any late-night necessities. Itās nice to drive around the area to see how students can spend their social lives outside of class! Moreover, with a train station within walking distance of campus, thereās also ample opportunities to head into Center City with friends for all sorts of fun.
As a current student who was once in your shoes, I highly recommend visiting campus. It will make your decision-making process easier, and give you a clearer vision of what 91³Ō¹Ļ has to offer students. If youāre able to, donāt hesitate to schedule a time to visit our campus. Visit cairn.edu/visit for more information and to sign up for a visit today!



