By Olivia Bowman

At Collegiate School, the college search begins as early as the fall of Sophomore year, when the entire 10th Grade visits the University of Richmond on retreat day. The following summer and fall of Junior year, high school juniors across the country begin to research and look into their future home for their next four years. However, is the beginning of Junior year too early to start?

Some believe that the beginning of Junior year is the perfect time to start the search, including Upper School student Maddie Hough (‘25). Looking for colleges is a personal journey, as each student will react differently to each college. Looking early can help alleviate the stress later in the year. Hough said, “I think it’s a good idea to start touring colleges early so that you’re not stressed with having to tour many schools in the spring or summer.” Students want to experience the college environment to see if they feel comfortable at the school or if they can cross that college off the list. Copeland Thornton (‘25) recently visited Auburn University and the University of South Carolina and says, “I think it has been super beneficial to begin visiting colleges this fall, as I can see if I enjoy the feeling of the college and can picture myself at the school, or if I am no longer interested in a school I thought I would be.” Additionally, students interested in playing college-level sports must start looking into schools sooner than later. For example, Anne Randall Berkeyheiser (‘25) says, “I chose to look now because I’m looking at possibly playing field hockey in college, and Junior year is usually when recruiting happens.” 

While researching colleges online can put students on the right track academically, it is also important for students to visit the college in person and the community around the school. Such visits help students envision themselves there. As the College Board’s website states: “A college catalog, brochure, or website can only show you so much. To get a feel for the college, you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms.”

University of Miami. Photo credit: @univmiami on Instagram.

Like my friends and classmates, I have also visited various colleges and participated in guided tours. Over the summer my family and I went to Miami, Florida and toured The University of Miami. Since we visited at the beginning of summer, the campus was quiet and beautiful. One of my favorite parts of the campus was the gorgeous lake and outdoor study spaces. I loved how the campus is located close to the city of Miami but felt like it was outside the city. 

I also visited the University of Virginia, James Madison University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. All three of these colleges felt similar, as each campus has a history that came along with it. I loved the medium-sized campus feel and the traditions that students participated in. For example, at UNC Chapel Hill, after winning a game against Duke, all the students rush down Franklin Street. These traditions made me excited about the college experience and the various activities that come with going to college. 

The beginning of every college tour is the same: everyone gathers in the undergraduate admissions building, receives an information packet, and is guided into a large room, where a 45-minute information session is held. The session begins by talking to an admissions leader about the school’s acceptance, expectations, and various highlights that may interest families. After about 30 minutes, current attendees join the meeting to share their experiences at the school. They share their favorite part of college, the adjustment from high school to college, and their academic interests. 

After the information session is done, everyone separates into small groups and takes a walking tour with one of the current student tour guides. We walk through the special landmarks, the freshman dorm rooms, the library, and the massive lecture rooms. 

As the tour comes to an end, the students send their farewells by telling us not to worry about getting into college and the acceptance rates. However, it is definitely a challenge to not think about the process. 

University of Richmond. Photo credit: @urichmond on Instagram.

Touring colleges is an exciting experience, getting to walk around the campus and see college students with their new friends. Hough agrees, adding, “I enjoy going on college tours, since you get to see what it would be like living there.” For others, the beginning of the college search is a stressful time, thinking about the application process. Sophomore Macy Boyer (‘26) attended the tour of the University of Richmond with other Collegiate Sophomores. The tour was Boyer’s first official college tour, and she says, “Touring got me excited for the freedom and the specialty programs that come with college. However, I was already stressed about getting into college, and the whole application process as I know it can be super rigorous.” While touring was beneficial for Boyer, is it too early to begin touring schools? Is it helpful to begin the college search without knowing what you want to do yet?

Some students say the college search as a new Junior is not beneficial. James Galgano (‘25), says, “I haven’t toured any colleges yet, because I feel like I’m still deciding a lot about where I want to go, so I want to narrow things down first. I do not think it is worth it to go on more tours of schools that I’m not sure about considering applying to.” As Galgano mentions, many Juniors do not have a complete idea of what they want to pursue in college and the future. 

Senior Avery Ennis (‘24) says, “The biggest difference in touring a college Junior and Senior year for me was knowing what I wanted to major in, as this completely changes the experience, because you can envision yourself in the major-specific rooms and opportunities.” She felt that, although unsure of what she wanted to pursue in college Junior year, touring was helpful. 

The debate over the ideal time to start the college search continues, with varying opinions among students. While some argue that beginning the process in the early stages of Junior year provides a head start and alleviates stress, others emphasize the importance of waiting until a clearer direction is established. Whether choosing to embark on the college search journey early or waiting until a more defined path emerges, each student’s interests and goals will play a crucial role in determining the ideal starting point for their college exploration.