Your Guide to College Visits

If you’re visiting a college, that probably means you’re serious about the school. You’ve done some research, and you’ve taken time out of your busy schedule, maybe even traveled several hours, just to see this school. But how do you make the most of that college visit? How do you decide if the school is right for you?

For a quick rundown, check out our Campus Visit Checklist. For more details, keep reading!

See it.

When you visit campus, you’ll probably take a campus tour. Don’t zone out! This is your chance to see where you might be taking classes, living, eating, and studying. Engage with your tour guide and ask follow-up questions. Current students often lead tours, so take the chance to ask questions about their experiences.

If you can, set aside time to look around campus on your own after the tour. Get a feel for the campus. Can you envision yourself there?

Taste it.

Eat in the cafeteria! If you attend this school, you’ll spend a lot of time in the dining hall or cafeteria. Check out the food options available and the mood of the students. Does it seem like a friendly environment?

Get a “taste” for the school’s academics by sitting in on a class in your area of interest. Is it engaging? Can you see yourself learning from this professor? Some schools offer opportunities to meet with faculty one-on-one or in small groups. Don’t miss the chance to chat with your potential future professors!

Live it.

Take advantage of the overnight visit opportunities many colleges offer. By staying in the dorms for a night, you’ll get to know current students and see dorm life firsthand. This is a great way to find out if the campus culture is a good fit for your personality and interests.

Research the school’s extracurricular offerings. Then, while you’re on campus, learn more about the ones that interest you. Are you an athlete? See if you can join a practice. Are you a musician? Ask to sit in on a rehearsal.

Ask about it.

When you visit, don’t forget to ask plenty of questions. You may even want to prepare a few questions to have ready when you tour. Not sure what to ask? Here’s a list of questions to get you started.

Want to learn more about the college visit experience? Check out these resources:

“Campus Visits: Know Before You Go.” College Board.

“Why Visit Colleges?” College Board.

“Get the Most Out of Your College Visits.” The Princeton Review.