What to Expect on a Campus Visit

(& How to Get the Most Out of It!)

Scheduling a campus visit to Northland College? We’re excited to have you! Here’s what you can expect to see on the tour, questions to ask your admissions counselor, and some helpful tips to get the most out of your visit.

Campus Aerial
Rock climber on a climbing wall

Campus Tour

Take a Stroll Through Campus & Explore Your New Home Away from Home

Every visit to Northland College begins with a full tour of campus led by a friendly student ambassador. Tours generally last about 45 minutes as your guide gives you a comprehensive look at:

  • The academic complex and library where you’ll engage in one of our 40+programs
  • The rooms and living accommodations at our primary campus residence hall, McLean Environmental Living and Learning Center. This campus favorite features sustainable architecture, a 120’ wind turbine, photovoltaic arrays, a greenhouse, and a breathtaking view of the Mino Aki garden.
  • Our 8,000 sq. ft. recreation center, complete with a full gym, bouldering wall, bike rentals, and exercise studio for yoga, dance, and group fitness classes.
  • Our sustainable dining hall, where you’ll dine on meat, produce, and dry goods from our regional farmers, businesses, and the campus garden crew.
  • If you’re visiting during the academic year, you will also have the chance to sit in on a class and meet with a professor that fits your area of interest.
  • If you’re visiting as a recruited athlete, your campus visit also includes a one-on-one meeting with a respective athletic coach and a separate, more detailed tour of the athletics facilities associated with your sport.

Admission Counselor Meeting

Every campus visit includes a meeting with the student’s admissions counselor, who will go over the admissions and financial aid process in detail with you and your group. This is the ideal time to get any lingering questions answered, so it’s best to come well prepared for this 30-minute meeting.

Not sure what to ask? Here are some questions that can help you get all the information you’ll need to make the right decision for your future.

Questions About Admissions & Costs

  1. What are the costs? Is financial aid available?
  2. What are my chances of getting in?
  3. What are the most important admissions factors at your school?
  4. What are the most desirable qualities you look for in an applicant?
  5. Are there different academic requirements for admissions depending on what department or major you choose?

Questions About Academics

  1. What is the average class size? What is the largest class size?
  2. What can you tell me about the majors I’m interested in?
  3. What sets your school apart from other schools?
  4. What is the most popular major?
  5. What have graduates of this program done with their degrees?

Questions About Northland College and the Community

  1. What are your 4-year and 6-year graduation rates?
  2. What’s the college’s retention rate?
  3. What health and academic support services are available to students?
  4. Is there career and internship counseling available?
    1. Are internships a requirement for graduation at your school?
  5. What is the job placement rate post-graduation?
    1. Will you help me find a job after graduation?
  6. What resources are available if I need help with some of the classes I’m taking?
  7. How do you support students after graduation?
  8. What distinguishes Northland College from other colleges?
  9. What sort of student would most thrive here/would not be happy here?
  10. What’s something you wish you had known about Northland College before coming here?
  11. Do you think this school would be a good fit for me?
  12. Do most students go home for the weekends? If not, what are some fun things to do on or off-campus on the weekends?
  13. How do locals feel about the students here?

Apple festival in Ashland
Student examining a wildflower with a loupe
Students playing broomball in the snow
Graduates hugging at commencement

Ready to take the next step?

Get in touch to learn more and start planning your journey at Northland College.

Helpful Tips
To Get the Most Out of Your Visit

You could spend weeks exploring campus, talking to students and staff, and discovering everything the surrounding areas have to offer, but time on your trip is going to be limited. Here are five practical tips to help you maximize your time, discover and learn as much as possible, and explore the Northland campus as well as the charming town of Ashland, Wisconsin!

  • Plan Ahead

    Many students wait until their senior year of high school to begin exploring colleges to attend and making campus visits. Doing so leaves little time for you to make one of the most important decisions of your life, so it’s a much better idea to begin your college search process while in your sophomore or junior year of high school.

  • Visit During the Academic Year

    Everyone’s availability is different, but it’s best to schedule your campus visit at Northland College to occur in the academic year if possible. This way, you’ll get the added benefit of sitting in on a class and meeting with a professor in your area of interest. Plus, you’ll get a much better feel for the on-campus experience when it’s filled with students and faculty.

  • Talk to People

    As apparent as it seems, reaching out to people during a campus visit is not something everyone does or feels comfortable doing. It’s essential to talk to students, faculty, staff, and even alumni (if possible) to get an idea of what they think about the college and its academics, athletics, campus life, etc. The responses you get from anyone who is not an admissions counselor or tour guide will likely be more insightful and potentially even more valuable in your decision-making process.

  • Visit Academic Departments

    While the campus visit is a broad overview of the college’s layout, it’s possible that your specific academic department or building wasn’t a part of the general tour. Make it a point to explore where you will spend time for your area of interest and connect with professors for additional information if they are available. Hint: you will have a much better success rate if you notify a professor and department head with an email before your visit.

  • Explore the Surrounding Area

    Of course, students don’t spend all their time on the college campus. Either before or after your Campus Visit, be sure to check out the beautiful city of Ashland, Wisconsin, and everything it has to offer. Explore what matters to you, such as local coffee shops, restaurants, theaters, yoga studios, museums, parks, or anything else you like to do in your free time. Located on the Great Lake Superior, Ashland also offers an endless variety of outdoor recreational activities to enjoy in your free time.

  • Northland College campus aerial