Mazlow Moquist

BSM student, Mazlow Moquist, goes on a tour to the University of Michigan, located in Ann-Arbor, Michigan.

As spring rolls around, juniors begin preparing for the college application process. Although deciding which schools to apply to requires some prior knowledge, many students believe the best way to learn about a college is to visit the campus in person. Many juniors have begun visiting college campuses in hopes of finding the best-fit school.

Whether it’s viewing buildings on campus or just driving through the city, getting an in-person outlook on a school could completely shift a student’s prior opinion. Before touring a school, a student typically has set expectations. While some schools may exceed prior expectations, many schools end up being disappointing. As students figure out what they like and dislike about a school, the list of schools will narrow down, and juniors can often find a pattern for what they want and look for in a school. “I liked the campus, it was really pretty in person, but I kind of realized that I don’t want a campus that big… I am definitely going to focus on visiting smaller schools now,” junior Mazlow Moquist said.

Recently Benilde-St. Margaret’s had a four-day weekend in celebration of President’s Day; this break allowed many juniors to look at some colleges to get a better idea of where they wanted to go. As these college visits ramp up, the search to find the best-fit college means making hard decisions that require juniors to narrow down their list. Some decisions are harder than others, but these decisions can be easier to make after experiencing a school in person. “I think every college I’ve been to has a different vibe, and visiting has really helped me navigate where I want to go and what I want to do,” junior Luci Barranco said.

As juniors continue looking at colleges, the need to decide on the right campus is crucial. Many students may prefer a certain location or climate, so being comfortable with a campus can change the overall college experience. BSM junior Nathan Ziehl has visited about five colleges, but he fell in love with Carlton after his visit, deeming Carlton his absolute favorite of all. “I had pretty good prior expectations, I thought I was gonna like it a lot… when I visited though, I fell in love with Carlton, I knew it was the one,” Ziehl said.

The class of 2026 has mixed feelings about beginning college applications next year, some are nervous but some are also excited. will begin college applications this year, but it can also be exciting. With any extra time, current juniors may want to start visiting as many colleges over the next few months to improve their outlook and hopefully find the best-fit college for them.