College Visits

Student Initiated College Tours

Students at PA Virtual are strongly encouraged to consider post-secondary education as part of their long term goals. At PA Virtual, we make several opportunities available for students to visit colleges and universities within the commonwealth and within each student’s respective geographic region.

In most instances, students and families can attend college/university visits on school holidays and breaks already scheduled within our school calendar. In the event that students and parents choose to participate in a college/university tour on a regularly scheduled school day, the following guidelines detail the attendance procedures to best support students and their individual needs:

• 9th-12th grade students will be offered 3 excused absences for visiting a college/university per academic year
• Younger students will be offered excused absences on a case by case basis
• Students must notify their respective guidance counselor, family support coordinator, and teacher(s) at least 1 week in advance of the tour via the: Student Initiated College/Post-Secondary Permission Slip
• Students are encouraged to arrange and take advantage of the following opportunities while attending the college/university visit:
  • Visit with the college admissions staff/personal
  • Official College/University tour
  • Visit to or sit in a class within the student’s intended field of study
  • Visit with a college financial adviser
  • Visit with a student/college ambassador
• Students are encouraged to complete the College Inventory while participating in the College/University Tour: College Visit Inventory Document
• In all cases, the Parent/Legal Guardian is strongly encouraged to attend the college/university tour with their respective student
• **If there are special circumstances regarding college/university tours, please contact your student’s respective Guidance Counselor.**