Visiting colleges is an essential activity for students -- not so much for the admissions interview, but to help determine fit. Interviews are mostly optional -- and informative -- unless you are a borderline acceptance, when the interview can become pivital.

Here are the answers to this question from each member of our panel:

Terry E. Whittum, Stetson University

The campus visit is the most important step for the student in the college selection process. Only by visiting a school can you truly determine for yourself if you and the school are a good fit. I always tell students that if you don't feel comfortable on a college campus within the first thirty minutes a red flag should go up.

Most colleges offer student interviews. It is important for the student to know if the interview is informatively only or if the interview will be part of the application process. If you are concerned that you may not interview well, practice. Ask your counselor or a teacher to play the role of the admissions officer and role play an interview. You might also interview first at a less selective college and then interview at the highly selective school

Joyce Lantz, Valparaiso University

The admission interview at Valparaiso University is designed more as an information session. It is an opportunity for the admission counselor to get to know the student and, more importantly, an opportunity for the prospective student to learn about the University. The “information session” is not required for admittance, but highly recommended.

In some cases, the admission committee will invite an applicant to come in for a required interview. This is done for students that are marginally acceptable. Of course, prior to the invitation, the committee sees potential in these students and is hopeful that the student will make positive impact during the admission interview.

Eric Kaplan, Lehigh University

An on-campus visit is important in that it gives the student an impression of the campus. The choice of whether to interview is a personal one. The opportunity for a one on one exchange can help an applicant learn more about an institution, but it is not obligatory. An exceptionally engaging student with poor grades in unlikely to benefit from an interview. A shy student who has performed admirably in the classroom will not be hurt by an interview.

Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., Bluffton University

The college visit is very important, both for the student and for the college. I encourage students to visit their top three choices, to be sure that the environment is a good fit for them. We do conduct interviews with students, though we do not require them. The college interview for marginal students is crucial. If we have an applicant who is on the edge of admissibility, we strongly encourage an interview. It is possible for an articulate student to positively impact the admissions decision. I would think that an extremely shy applicant’s interview would have a neutral impact on the admissions decision.

Dr. Brian Sajko, Eureka College

For scholarships, campus visits can be very important. In terms of admissions, it doesn't make much difference to us unless the student is borderline.

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