Tips for Surfing College Websites
Colleges devote large chunks of their websites to grabbing the attention of potential applicants. But there's much more to a college website than the Web pages of the admission office. By surfing as though you're already a student, you can get a picture of life on campus. Here are some tips that take you far beyond the home page.
- Browse the college newspaper online. You'll get a feel for campus life, student concerns and the caliber of student thinking and writing.
- Lurk in the halls of student government. These legislative bodies can be key players on campus, controlling multimillion dollar budgets that support a wide range of student services.
- Go clubbing. Are you politically involved? Interested in community service? A naturalist? Clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Look for “Student Life” links to find out if there are campus clubs you want to join.
- Patronize the arts. Campus cultural events often draw locals, as well as students. Click on “Events,” “Museums” or “Arts” to learn about the college’s film screenings, plays, lectures, art shows, poetry readings and concerts.
- Enlist academic support. Colleges offer a wide range of support services, which can include everything from drop-in writing assistance and peer tutoring to time management minicourses. Look for a section called “Student Services,” or refer to the site map.
- Check out the library. Use the “Libraries” link to learn how large the book collection is, to try out the online catalog, and to find out which electronic databases the library subscribes to. You can also learn how the library teaches new students about its services.
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Move into housing. You might be surprised at the many varieties of on-campus housing. You'll find group houses; dorm rooms that are more like apartments (with kitchens and bathrooms); and even lower-cost co-ops where students work together to prepare meals and perform other housework. For first-year options, look for a “Housing” link under “Admissions” or “Prospective Students.” For later years, try looking under “Student Services” or “Current Students.”
- Check up on student health services. You'll be charged a student health fee when you register for classes, so why not find out what medical and counseling services are included? Look for a “Student Health Services” link on the home page.
- Log in to computing services. Does the campus have wireless Internet access? Can you buy a discounted computer through the college? What technology support services does the college offer? For answers, look for an “Information Technology” link on the home page.
- Grab a tray. While some campuses offer only college-run cafeterias, others rent space to private businesses selling everything from pizza to garden burgers. A link to “Dining Services” gives you a taste of what's available.
- Root for the home team. Care for a set of tennis? A yoga class? Or maybe you're more at home cheering in the stands. Click on “Athletics” for intramural and recreational sports, fitness equipment and classes, and varsity season calendars.
- Browse a course catalog. Basic course information is often found online as a PDF document under “Academics.” Catalogs spell out the requirements for each major and include short descriptions of all courses, as well as frequently offered electives.
- Visit a department. To get a feel for your college workload and a department's culture, look under “Academic Departments.” You’ll often find a syllabus outlining course objectives, as well as the professor's expectations, for each major. You can also usually find information about faculty members’ teaching and research interests. Consider sending an e-mail to a professor if you’re interested in the work he or she is doing.
- Use the site map. It can help you find any information you need.
Getting There
Taking a virtual tour of college life is easy. Use College Search to look up a college; then follow the link to its website.
Browse colleges with our College A-to-Z listings or search for Colleges State-by-State.
