Get the most out of your college visit
Visiting campuses is one of the best ways to decide on the right college. Local colleges are the easiest to visit, but it’s also worth visiting out-of-state colleges if that’s an option your family is considering.
Where should I visit?
Visiting colleges in your city or state is fairly easy, but if you’re considering colleges that are farther away, try to select a few in the same state or region. You might also consider visiting a more distant school, perhaps one on the opposite coast, to see if that area appeals to you. While there, ask locals about the area to get a feel for things like overall desirability, community reputation and safety. Many universities also offer virtual tours. If you can’t make it to a particular school, a virtual tour is the next best thing.
When should I visit colleges?
College visits might be most helpful when done before submitting applications in late summer (while on family vacation) or early fall to help narrow down options and focus application efforts on the schools you like best and are most excited about attending. Additionally, touring universities in the spring after being admitted can help you make that final choice and identify previously unknown advantages.
Be sure to check the school’s website for information on visiting and to sign up for an official tour.
What should I do while visiting colleges?
Whenever you decide to tour colleges on your list, here are some things to do and questions to ask while you’re there.
Check out the student newspaper
Student newspapers, whether online or in print form, are full of campus information. You’ll be able to get a glimpse of what’s going on around campus.
Visit the financial aid office
A stop at the financial aid office is a must. You can let the office know you’re visiting and ask if they offer any school- or college-based scholarships, and how you can find and apply for them online.
Stop by the student union and dorms
The student union is usually a campus hub and home to campus restaurants, a bookstore, and areas for studying and recreation.
Visiting dorms will give you a glimpse into how you’ll be living on campus. You’ll get an idea of the campus layout and how close you’ll be to other campus buildings and services, and off campus amenities.
Explore academic departments
If you’ve already picked your major by the time you visit, you should make sure to drop by that specific college office. You can meet administrators and faculty, ask questions about what to expect, and get familiar with the size of the academic department. You should also visit any other departments you’re interested in. If you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, you can ask questions about careers, programs and opportunities.
Talk to other students and families
Take some time to walk around the campus and explore on your own. Guided tours are great, but you should also visit places not on the tour route and talk to students and staff that you meet along the way. This will give you an unscripted view into college life at that university.
Talk to the tour guide
Put together a mental or written list of questions you’d like to get answered. Think of questions from a variety of topics like financial aid, student life, campus safety, academics, academic support and graduation. Here’s a short list of ideas:
- How do I apply for university or college scholarships?
- What financial aid tips should I know about?
- Do the majority of students live on campus?
- How far is the nearest hospital?
- What student perks are included in the cost of tuition?
- What type of academic support is offered?
- How can I learn more about campus clubs and other activities?
- Do you have an honors college?
A visit can make all the difference
Many students say that it was the college visit that really drove their decision on whether or not to attend a particular college. So follow these tips and make your college visits count.
- On average, how big are lower-division and upper-division classes?