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Virtual Tours can be helpful – if you are prepared

<<First Name>>, virtual tours can be a convenient, affordable way for students to “try out” a lot of different schools – without running into prohibitive travel costs. For many families, a virtual tour will remain a good “first-look” opportunity – even after the pandemic subsides.

Bring a parent, older sibling or other trusted advisor. There’s usually a lot of information to take in during a tour and it can be overwhelming! It helps to have an extra pair of eyes and ears to take it all in. Older advisors may think of different questions that the student haven't – and be more comfortable asking them! The good news is that virtual tours make it easier for a parent to participate. Instead of taking several hours off work, they may be able to do the tour virtually during their lunch break.
Expect some live interaction with a tour guide. Videos and photos are important, but a virtual tour shouldn’t just be a video. You should be able to ask questions and get live answers from someone who knows about your program. Make sure they go over “next steps” with you as well. What’s the deadline for applying? Who do you need to talk to about financial aid? How can you reach out if you have more questions after thinking about it some more.
Ask about in-person learning. Most colleges are optimistic about having in-person classes this fall – but they may have also permanently expanded some online options. (Some students may consider that good news – others may not!) Ask for each school’s best estimates on what the virtual/in-person learning environment will be like. For example, MedQuest College was able to bring students into the classroom to learn hands-on procedures. That’s important in health care careers! Most students are relieved to know they won’t have to learn how to draw blood just from watching it on Zoom!

Health Careers in the News

Jobs in healthcare have been among the fastest growing and most popular student choices for much of the last decade, and the pandemic is accelerating demand. Learn more from EducationWeek about rising student interest and the evolving job market.

Chris was working in the MedQuest admissions office when Jessica, a sonography student, asked if she could do a heart scan on him for practice. What she found was a life-threatening condition. Read Chris and Jessica's story here.

Pets have increasingly become our friends and confidants over the last year. Read Renee Hensley's recent story about why MedQuest is excited about their new Vet Tech program that prepares students for a career with animals.

Each year, MedAssistantEdu puts together an editor's choice of the best Medical Assistant programs. MedQuest's Medical Assisting Diploma was selected because of its "outstanding career services and job placement assistance."