Summer, the time to hang out with friends, get a tan, and relax by the pool; but for rising seniors, this summer is focused on one thing, and that is college. The summer going into your senior year is when you focus on finalizing your list of colleges, planning out the application process and in many instances taking lots of road trips visiting these colleges.

Many think that it’s smart to get a head start on the college process by visiting schools during the summer, but what they don’t realize is that when you visit these schools during the summer one important thing will be missing, the students. College students will be on summer break and will not be there to add to the true school enviroment. When you look for a school you need to take into account not the school itself, but students that make up the school. If you go to the campus when classes are not in session, then you will miss out on the most important aspect of that school.

It might sound judgmental to look at students of a particular school while touring, but it’s important to find out weather or not you think you would be a good fit for that particular school. You can find out a lot about the college on what their students look like. Certain schools have certain stereotypes, and in many cases, in order to fit into that schools social scene, you need to fit into the schools stereotype. By waiting to tour colleges when schools are in session, you will be able to acquire the full appreciation of the school and realize what the school really is like.

Picking what schools to apply to, and, in the end, hopefully go to is a major decision in life. When you go to a certain school, you will be surrounded by the students 24/7. It’s better to go into the college already knowing what the students look/act like then waiting until you already made your final decision.

The four years of your college life are supposed to be one of the most unforgettable times in your life, so instead of rushing to visit schools on breaks, wait a little while so that you can truly get the full effect of the college.