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At what age should I start visiting colleges?

I'm a freshman in high-school and I do 4 sports! And I'm very academic. Knowing this and also that i'm interested in colleges, when should I start visiting colleges?
#college #college-advice #college-selection

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Thank you comment icon As you are completing your Freshman year in High School, now is the perfect time to starting making a list of colleges you want to visit. During the summer months, colleges will offer informational sessions and tours. Visiting colleges will give you an idea of what each college or university offers in the way of academics, athletics and student life. You may want to do follow up visits to selected schools that are more personal as you narrow down the field. There are a lot of colleges out there, so the earlier you start your investigation, the better. My son started visiting colleges at the end of his Sophomore year and wished he had started earlier. Good luck and have fun preparing for your future! RENE M STRZELECKI
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Richard’s Answer

Between sophomore year and junior year would be a good time to start. The summer between junior year and senior year you will be filling out applications and should have already narrowed down your list of places to apply
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Rachel’s Answer

Any time during high school that you can break away is a great time to visit colleges and get an idea of where you would like to go. Applications are typically due during the summer and fall after your junior year of high school.
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Charles’s Answer

Alina,

First, do you plan on picking one of the sports to play in college? Or were you thinking of continuing to play all four via intramural? If you choose to pick one sport, then you'll want to start coming up with a list of potential colleges. I recommend researching the colleges on what Majors & Programs they offer, if you have an idea on what you would like to study. For example you may want to be a teacher and although teh college doesn't offer teaching, they could have a major in Mathematics or History that you could take, if that's what you want to teach; however you would still need to go somewhere else to get accredited to be a teacher, since that college doesn't offer teaching. You will also want to check out the NCAA Eligibility Center and fill out the appropriate information if you are going to play a sport for the college.


However due to new NCAA rules, Division I schools are not allowed to talk to you until September of your Junior year in HS. Check out more on DI to DIII recruitment here: https://www.ncsasports.org/ncaa-eligibility-center/recruiting-rules


If you are just going to college for your degree, then it doesn't hurt to look now. You aren't going to apply this early, but if you start looking at close colleges (Univ. of Oregon, Oregon State, Portland Univ., etc) to see if it has a campus you like, dorms appear to be in good shape, the classrooms & buildings are what you are looking for. If you are going on vacation, take a look at schools around there. Make sure it has the atmosphere you are looking for on campus, as well as things to do around the campus when you are not studying, etc. Unfortunately now is not the best time since most college students are back at home and not roaming around the student center, quad, classrooms, dorms, etc.


You'll want to start making your final decisions (Top 5-10 colleges) in your Junior year and ensure you tour the campus during school session (ie: Spring Break or other times when your school is going on.

Charles recommends the following next steps:

Check out the NCAA eligibility center: http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/eligibility-center
Make a list of colleges you want to attend and ensure they have the Majors you are looking for.
Tour the campuses local and then away from home. Ensure the campus environment is something you will like, as well as the town the college is in.
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Amit’s Answer

Hi Alina. First of all, kudos to your ability to handle 4 sports, that is amazing and quite the testament to your athletic ability and time management skills . Although there is no hard cutoff date for when you absolutely need to start visiting colleges; visiting colleges during early high school years would be the most beneficial. If you are interested in colleges that are closer/local, you can probably knock out these tours without too much planning.


For colleges that are out of town, try to plan visits during long weekends, spring/winter/summer breaks, whenever your schedule will allow for it. Since college applications are usually completed by the end of your senior year, you want to have a good idea on which schools you want to attend. Ideally, you can finish your visits during the summer break leading into your senior year. Most colleges have programs where you may be able to stay overnight and get a better feel of the campus.


Narrowing down which schools to visit is a tough, but rewarding task. You may not know which field you want to major in, but it’s never too early to start considering possibilities. Research colleges that have fields/majors that of interest, sports programs that are relevant, and in locations you want to attend college. The better informed you are about colleges, the better idea you will have come application time. It is not necessary to visit every college you apply to, it may not be feasible with time constraints, but there is no harm in doing as much research as possible. Hope this helps. Amit

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