TaborTalk Blog

Colleges and universities are ecosystems, and it takes time to get a feel for what makes each institution special and unique. Therefore, good research is a critical component of a student’s college search, especially the college visit. Juniors need to learn for themselves if a college or university’s vibe is right for them, and visiting campuses is the most effective (and fun!) way to figure that out.

To gain some insight about college visits, I reached out to several college admissions colleagues.

By Lauren Boucher, faculty

The college counselor’s hand eagerly shot into the air.  

“Yes, please go ahead,”  said Shawn Felton, director of undergraduate admissions at Cornell University, making eye contact with the woman with her hand up.

March’s two-week long break allowed me to both get caught up on some loose ends in the college office and also make a trip to the Southwest.  I was sorry when the time approached for me to head back East, especially when I looked at the weather and realized that my flight coincided with the third Nor’easter in several weeks, so I changed my reservation to arrive in Boston a day earlier than originally planned.  

SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP Tests, TOEFL, Test Optional Colleges. Test Flexible Colleges.   

For Tabor juniors and their families, there’s much to learn and lots to consider.  

Understandably, many juniors and seniors feel anxiety about which tests to take and how they need to prepare to do their best. This is precisely the reason that Tabor’s college counseling office has implemented diagnostic testing and test preparation as part of college search programming.  

From the desk of college counselor Lauren Boucher:

One of the best parts of my job is visiting college campuses.  I enjoy walking around, talking with students, and getting a feel for each school.  I do what I hope my college advisees will do:  1) I make sure I am prepared to ask questions that might not be answered in a tour or information session;  2) I go into the visit with an open mind; 3) I take photos and write notes to help remind me about the school later on.  

It’s 10:20 p.m. on a Wednesday night in Baxter House.  Dorm meeting is over, a yellow sheet cake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles has been devoured, and six girls sit on the floor of the Common Room playing Bananagrams.  With midyear assessments behind them, the girls are more relaxed and cheerful -- back to their old selves.