Scarsdale Juniors Descend on College Campuses for February Break

As the conclusion of high school approaches, the prospect of choosing a college can evoke a mix of excitement and nerves. During winter break many Scarsdale students and their families found themselves exploring their options on tours across the country.

Visiting campuses before applying to a particular school is a common practice, and some schools even give preference to students who “show interest” by making the effort. While there, students seek to discover whether or not the school align with their wants and needs for location, living spaces, classrooms, facilities and the overall culture. Staying a night or two in the city or town of a school can provide an authentic experience of campus life. One Scarsdale junior who traveled to Pennsylvania schools over break, explained his interest in “what there is to do, class size, food, social life, programs and majors.” It seems that in person answers to these simple questions can make or break a student’s interest in the school.

Another student had a full itinerary that entailed flying to Saint Louis, Missouri - driving to Nashville, Atlanta and Durham, and then boarding another flight to Chicago. He felt it was worth the effort to see the campuses in person and figure out “whether it was a good fit for [him], or whether [he] could see [him]self going there” He visited schools as varied as Washington University, Vanderbilt, Emery, Davidson, Duke and Northwestern, looking for a mid-size school with challenging academics, “where kids could still have a lot of fun.”

I visited Tulane University located near the Garden District of New Orleans, across from Audubon Park. The mid-size D1 school is large enough to feel expansive, yet small enough that you could bump into people you know each day. The campus is impressive, with historic and modern buildings mixed throughout. They offer a variety of opportunities for students to get involved with the greater New Orleans community through a service component of their studies. I enjoyed my time in New Orleans as well. The city has an impressive combination of historical significance, unique culture, amazing food and music. I saw the iconic Preservation Hall Jazz Band, ate beignets at Cafe Du Monde and learned about the rich history of New Orleans on a walking tour of the French Quarter.

Travelling to Virginia, I visited a small school on a gorgeous campus and while I found the academic structure and teacher to student ratio really appealing; I now prefer a less secluded, city setting. My own experience led me to realize that I much prefer a mid-size to larger school within a lively city.

No matter how different the schools are that SHS students choose to visit during February break, one thing you can count on is bumping into at least one other Scarsdale Raider on your campus tour.