College visit road trip guide

COLLEGE VISIT

ROAD TRIP A guide for your college search

UNIVERSITY

Hi! Visiting campus is not only a vital step in the college search process, but it also can be a lot of fun! I encourage you to be intentional by scheduling visits through the admissions office. Take the time to get a feel for campus.

Talk with students and faculty. Imagine yourself walking to class or the dining hall and ask yourself: Could I feel at home here?

Consider inviting family (and friends!) along for the ride, as well. They can provide additional insight and make the journey even more enjoyable. Regardless of where you visit, I hope you find this road trip guide helpful.

We hope to see you soon!

Kristin Thomas Director of admissions hospitality

“I chose Messiah based off of all the people I interacted with when I came for my visits. Everyone was incredibly kind and hospitable and made me feel as though I truly belonged here at Messiah.

I encountered such a welcoming nature, which I still experience even after being here for almost two full years.”

— Kyra Montgomery ’23, nursing 1

pro tip

Document your visits.

Take pictures and make notes about what fits you best at each school.

Pick your destinations!

Rising juniors • C heck out a variety of schools of different sizes and types to explore your options.

• C onsider attending admissions open houses or make appointments with the admissions office for individual visits.

Typically open houses are designed for first-time visitors and provide a comprehensive overview of the school, making it a valuable use of your time.

• If you’re interested in pursuing athletics, be sure to look into the best way to connect with a coach. It may be during your visit or through an online recruiting form. Some schools even offer recruitment camps!

Rising seniors • M ake plans to visit (or re-visit) your top 3-4 schools.

• C onnect with the admissions office to request meetings with faculty, financial aid advisors and coaches. They’ll even help connect you with current students who can share their experiences at the school.

• I f you’ve already attended a larger open house or event, consider scheduling a more personalized visit to learn more about your specific interests­. Messiah’s individual or overnights visits are great options!

Go to messiah.edu/visit to see our variety of visit options and register! Visits are open to high school students.

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Before each school visit...

• Jump online to explore social media channels to get a glimpse of life on campus.

• E xplore the school's visit web pages to determine what visit options are available and the best way to register for them.

•C heck out news and events web pages for a schedule of what athletic events, concerts, plays or other activities are happening the days you’re planning to visit.

•C heck out Facebook events for the town you’re visiting.

See if there are any festivals, concerts or fun food trucks nearby!

•M ake a list of questions to ask your admissions counselor, tour guide, faculty and coaches.

•C reate a list of preferences for your ideal school. What activities, programs, clubs or sports are you interested in?

pro tip

Consider attending a summer camp to experience campus culture.

For more information about our summer programs, go to messiah.edu/camps.

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Getting there is half the fun!

Channel your inner Falcon by checking out some of our community's favorite road trip entertainment!

Music for the journey

Find these fun playlists on Spotify!

• Top Christian • Family Road Trip • Ultimate Christian Alternative • Disney Favorites • Happy Drive

Podcasts to listen to • Overheard at National Geographic • Ted Talks Daily • Stuff You Missed in History Class • One Year Daily Audio Bible Podcast • College Admissions Decoded

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Messiah students’ favorite car snacks

• Chocolate-covered espresso beans • White-cheddar popcorn • Peanut M&Ms • Martin’s Kettle-Cook’d potato chips • Swedish Fish

Things to do near Messiah

• Visit City Island to watch a Harrisburg Senators baseball game.

• Hike on various trails, including the worldfamous Appalachian Trail.

• Have a chocolate-filled day at Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark amusement park.

• Explore historic Gettysburg.

• Discover the different restaurants, galleries and museums in downtown Harrisburg.

Road trip bingo

B

Visit two schools in one day.

I

Spot a navy car.

Messiah's colors are navy and white.

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See 5 different state license plates.

G O 7

Drive a roundabout.

Spot a one-way sign.

Get fast food.

Messiah students love a Sheetz run!

Cross a state line.

Stop for ice cream.

Try Rakestraw's in Mechanicsburg.

Spot a kayak or a hammock.

Messiah students are often seen with these in the warm weather.

Spot a car decal of the school you’re about to visit.

Do 25 jumping jacks while at a rest stop.

See 4 churches.

Spot a falcon.

Flex the Falcon is Messiah's athletic mascot.

Dine at a local restaurant.

Find the letters of your name in road signs.

Find a new favorite song.

Baker's Diner is a campus favorite.

Messiah students sometimes find one at Powerhouse.

FREE

Listen to a podcast or playlist from page 5.

Take one hour of device-free time.

Play the alphabet game.

See someone dressed for a sporting event.

Cross a bridge.

Did you know Messiah has 2 bridges on campus?

Take a group photo.

Make a coffee run.

Check out Cafe Diem in Messiah's library!

Find your future home.

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Top 10 questions Messiah admissions staff wish you would ask

1

Ask yourself, “Do I see myself thriving at this school?”

– Jay, director of alumni and parent relations

How can I understand the different types of aid and scholarships I would be eligible to receive?

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– Mike, associate director of financial aid

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What is your favorite thing about the Messiah community?

– Catherine, admissions counselor

What are alumni doing with their Messiah experiences and education?

– Matt, associate director of admissions

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What opportunities are there for diversity/multicultural engagement?

– Sierra, associate director of admissions

2

Ask students and staff you meet, “Why did you choose this school?”

– Shayna, associate director of admissions

What options do I have for payment and financing for all of my college years?

5

– JR, director of student financial services

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Why is Messiah worth it?

– Nate, assistant director of admissions

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How do I start preparing for financial aid?

– Josh, admissions counselor

pro tip

Make a list of your questions specific to your desired major, campus life, financial aid, etc.

How does Messiah integrate faith and academics?

– Virgil, admissions counselor

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Photo scavenger hunt Document your trip with LOTS of pictures!

Seeing a bunch of schools in a short period of time can leave you feeling like it was all a blur. Taking photos on campus will help you remember what you saw! See if you can take 3 of these photos while visiting Messiah.

Take a photo with the university sign with your tour guide w earing your Messiah gear with your whole group o f the food (on campus or locally) w ith Flex the Falcon in the Eisenhower Campus Center of the Yellow Breeches Creek o f the swinging bridge o f the covered bridge o f the wall of flags in Larsen Student Union o f the fire pit outside of Larsen Student Union

o f the iconic "Messiah College" written in stone at the High Center o f a National Championship trophy in Sollenberger Sports Center (choose from 33!) o f the Starry Athletic Complex o f the community garden a t an event on campus (concert, sports or theatre) B ONUS: a picture with President Kim Phipps

pro tip

Comfortable walking shoes are a must! Be sure to check the forecast ahead of time to be prepared.

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What’s there to do at Messiah?

Find out at messiah.edu/fun.

C ampus visit notes Messiah University School # 1:______________________________________

What I did on campus:________________________________ Favorite spot:______________________________________ 3 takeaways that stood out: 1. _____________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________

School #2:______________________________________

What I did on campus:________________________________ Favorite spot:______________________________________ 3 takeaways that stood out: 1. _____________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________ School #3: ______________________________________

What I did on campus:________________________________ Favorite spot:______________________________________ 3 takeaways that stood out: 1. _____________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________ School #4 :_____________________________________

What I did on campus:________________________________ Favorite spot:______________________________________ 3 takeaways that stood out: 1. _____________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________ 12

Stay connected after your visit

Arrange another visit to explore a major or program you're interested in.

?

Talk with current students at messiah.edu/ connectwithastudent.

Text with your admissions counselor.

Reflect on your visits.

Review your notes and photos with family and friends to help narrow down your college list.

Check out messiah.edu/visit for Messiah’s individual visit and fall event calendar!

Visiting a second time can help you get a full picture of what the school has to offer.

Choose a different type of visit when you return to experience campus from a new lens.

Apply at

messiah.edu/apply

Notes ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 13

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within 6-9 months after graduation* YE SU SC RV D O A D VERIFIA R R EY I G N R

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Messiah students choose from

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eager employers and some of the nation’s best grad schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations

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• 80+ majors to choose from • Rigorous University Honors Program • Summer online and dual enrollment courses • 3-year degree, early assurance and accelerated program options • Average class size: 20 • Undergraduate research opportunities across all majors

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Academic Programs

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Why Messiah?

O N S E S A N D OT H E

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NCAA Division III sports

Baseball (M) Basketball (M/W) Cross country (M/W) Field hockey (W) Indoor track and field (M/W) Lacrosse (M/W) Outdoor track and field (M/W) Soccer (M/W) Softball (W) Swimming (M/W) Tennis (M/W) Volleyball (M/W) Wrestling (M)

Join the conversation! @messiah_univ @messiah_univ @messiah_univ @messiahuniversity messiahuniversity 14

Office of Undergraduate Admissions One University Ave. Suite 3005 Mechanicsburg PA 17055 Address Service Requested 717-691-6000 Fax: 717-691-2307 800-233-4220 admissions@messiah.edu messiah.edu Messiah University does not discriminate against students or applicants for admission on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school administered programs or in any other aspect of its operations.

INSPIRING ACTION

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SHARPENING INTELLECT DEEPENING CHRISTIAN FAITH

Want to see more of our beautiful campus? Visit tour.messiah.edu to explore our virtual tour!