Visiting a college campus is the best way to determine if this school is YOUR school. What should I expect? What do I wear? When should I visit? Who will I see? We got you covered! Here are our ten tips for visiting a college campus.
- Visit during the school week and academic year. Summer vacation is definitely convenient, and who doesn’t love the sunny weather? But truly being able to see if a college is a good match for you is all about seeing the students who attend. Going during the week allows you to see your fellow peers hustling and bustling to get to class. Many schools offer sit-in programs enabling you to observe a college class and meet with a professor afterward.
- Talk to people. While your tour guide is a fabulous resource, tour guides are meant to sell the school to you. Chatting with a student who works at the gym or standing in line next to you at the cafeteria is an excellent way to get a feel for the campus. Ask about their opinion of the school, if they like it, how the classes are, and any other questions you might have. Be thankful and courteous of people’s time.
- Wear comfortable shoes and everyday clothing. You will be walking a lot! You don’t need to dress up for a campus visit unless you genuinely want to stand out. Most kids bring their parents or another adult on campus tours with them, so make sure your adults wear comfortable shoes too!
- Ask questions. This goes along with point two of talking to people, but don’t be afraid to speak up during the tour and ask questions. Here are some questions to ask:
- What advice would you give yourself in high school if you could go back in time?
- What do you think students’ number one complaint is about campus? What do people love about this college?
- What is a typical week like for you? What is a typical weekend?
- If you could change one thing about your college experience, what would it be and why?
- How would you describe freshmen year compared to advising and course selection?
- What other colleges were you considering, and why did you choose this one?
- Test the food. Some schools offer vouchers for tours to eat at the cafeteria. Try the food and see what kinds of foods the school has to offer. Should you base your decision on where you go solely on the food? No, but everyone has to eat.
- Visit specific offices. Are you an international student looking to learn more about the international student experience? Stop by the international student office and meet the staff! Do you have a learning difference that will require special accommodations in college? Go to the Disabilities Office and ask questions specific to your needs. Are you interested in studying abroad and want to see what the options are? Check out student services or the study abroad office.
- Meet your admissions officer. Before going on a college tour, reach out to admissions and see if you can meet someone from admissions. Be mindful that admissions officers have some of the busiest jobs and may not have time to meet with you. You may also want to sign up for an interview with an alumni or admissions rep if available.
- Plan an overnight stay. Overnight visits are a great way to see how colleges are. You will spend the night with a student who attends the school. It is a great way to meet people who are not tour guides and ask questions about how college really is. Usually, prospective student nights have activities you can participate in to meet fellow students and get a feel for the campus.
Remember your college criteria when you were building a list. The best person who knows you is YOU. So as you visit a campus, think to yourself, Can I truly see myself here?
Have fun! Visiting colleges is a fun experience. You get to imagine yourself on campus in the future. It is fantastic to see the differences between colleges, the similarities, and the students who attend. If you aren’t able to visit colleges directly, you can go on virtual tours too.