How to Choose the Right College When Campuses Are Closed

Get some snacks and get ready to dig deep into schools’ websites. This may seem obvious, but there are some incredible interactive and multimedia features that can make you feel you’ve experienced an entire semester on campus. And go beyond the usual social media feeds and look for schools’ YouTube or Snapchat channels (check out @DUbeinvolved!), too.

With just a few clicks you can easily find and follow current students online. Look at their portfolios, projects, videos, papers and anything else they’ve posted online. Is it inspiring? Did their school support their work with faculty mentors and scholarships? Can’t tell? Reach out to them and ask. Their unbiased intel is priceless.

It’s the place to be these days and a ton of universities are not to be left out. Many information sessions, admission events and financial aid workshops are being moved to online video conferencing platforms. Email the admission counselors to be sure you’re on the list for all of these sessions.

Want to know how well a school’s graduates are doing in their careers? Search for the school’s LinkedIn page, then click on “alumni” in the navigation menu panel on the left. You can filter the results by name, keyword (ie: industry or job title) or company name. If you find some interesting profiles, message them and ask how the school helped get them where they are today.

If you’re interested in becoming a student-athlete, fill out a recruit form online. Coaches are still vetting prospects. Spring season tournaments might be canceled but there are plenty of highlight reels and hype videos online that can give you a sense of what it’s like to hit the court or the field for the team. 

While campuses are officially closed, admission counselors and financial aid advisors may still be available—at least by text, email, chat or phone. So, ping them through their apps (download ours here). They want to hear from you! We know that this can be an especially unpredictable and anxious time for you and your family. If you’re feeling stuck in your college search process, please get in touch. We are happy to guide you.