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The Dark Side of College Education
When College Tours Open Doors To Drinking and Sex By Laura Cone
Whether you plan to go with your son or daughter on a college tour, it's important to make sure they are prepared. Kim Sandlin, assistant director of admissions at Wichita State University, says prospective college students hear admissions presentations, tour the campus and meet with academic advisers. Students have the option of spending the night. They may stay in guest housing at the university or an area hotel.
Sandlin recommends that parents and teens wear comfortable shoes. Walking tours can last up to an hour, so it is important to be comfortable. Other areas of preparation include dressing appropriately for the weather and coming with questions. "Have the students prepare a few questions," Sandlin says. "Admissions folks have heard every question under the sun, so don't be afraid to ask the questions you want to know the answers to. Definitely ask them because that's why we are here. We are here to help them get their questions answered and make a smart decision."
Sandlin says students can get a good idea of the academic offerings during college visits. They can also get a feel for the social side of college when they attend special events geared for teens at the university. "We do have special programs like senior days, junior days, sophomore days, that are a lot more social," she says. "There are a lot of students coming to those events, so they have a more social feel. Although those programs also do have academic components with them, the students get a much better idea of campus life and student life if they come to one of those."
Since choosing a college or university is a shared decision between parents and children, Sandlin encourages parents to talk to their children. When it comes to preventing teenagers from drinking, taking drugs or having sex, communication is key. Researchers with SADD found teenagers who talk with and have a close relationship with their parents are less likely to use drugs, have sex or drink.
