If you’re considering independent school options during more typical times, you would normally set up an interview and tour at each school so you can see what the campus and community feel like firsthand. But with many campuses currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the school search process will look slightly different. Fortunately, schools like CSW have been working hard to recreate the visit experience online, allowing you to "visit" from the comfort of your couch. Here are a few tips:

Visit the Website
Schools everywhere have been amping up their web content in an effort to make it as informative and engaging as possible for families shopping schools from home. Look through all the available menus to see what information is most useful to you. If you only do three things on the website, make sure you get a sense of what's currently happening in the life of the school, explore the course catalog, and fill out the admissions inquiry form so that you can be put on the school's email list and receive their admissions materials. If you can understand how the school is operating during the current circumstances, you might glean some insight into the school's values in practice, as well as their ability to pivot and be responsive to the needs of their community.

Utilize Virtual Tours
Though nothing can take the place of an actual visit to campus, schools have been working hard to create virtual tours designed to provide prospective families with a stronger sense of what it's like to be on campus. Keep in mind that watching the videos offered on the school's website and social media feeds will also help you begin to get a sense of the energy and life of the school.

Attend Webinars
Live webinars are a great way to engage with teachers, students, administrators, and fellow parents. These virtual gatherings, which are often themed by a specific program area, serve as excellent opportunities to ask questions and get to know school community members face-to-face, or... screen to screen. 

Sign Up for One-on-One Video Chats
Admissions Offices are usually happy to offer prospective students and families the chance to "meet" with community members in a low-stakes setting via video, phone, or email. If you don't see this as an offering, there's no harm in requesting to be connected with a current member of the school community if you feel it would help you in your search process.

Follow Schools on Social Media
Now, more than ever, schools are leveraging social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to keep their community members connected. Be sure to follow the schools you are interested in for the chance to watch student performances, hear directly from students and teachers, and learn more about how the community has been navigating the coronavirus crisis. Many school administrators have been using these channels as a means of communicating with current students, giving you an insider's view of the school in real time. 

Lean on Your Admissions Counselor
Admissions counselors are more willing than ever to bend over backwards to help students in their school search process and as they make their final decisions. They understand that this is not a normal year and that the search may prove more challenging. If you have lingering  questions, or hesitations as you think about the school being a potential match for you—share them with an admissions counselor, and give them the opportunity to share additional information that might be helpful to you. And if you have questions about the application process, know that the Admissions Office is always going to be happy to help you as you move forward in your search.