The Art of the College Visit: Making the Most of Your Campus Tours

Ah, the college visit – that rite of passage where you and your teen traipse across manicured quads, trying to envision the next four years of their life. But let’s face it, after a while, one tour can start to blend into another. Fear not, intrepid parents and students. We’re here to help you turn those campus visits into meaningful experiences that truly inform your college decision. Let’s dive into the art of the college visit.

Making the Most of Your College Campus Tours

Before You Go: The Prep Work

1. Do Your Homework

Before you set foot on campus, research the school thoroughly. Know their programs, notable alumni, and recent news. This background will help you ask more insightful questions during your visit.  Katie Garrett, Founder of Garrett Educational Consulting, advises families to make sure not to ask questions that can easily be found on the school’s website.  “Details like number of students, majors offered, etc are things you can research on your own,” says Katie. “You want to be sure you are asking more insightful questions so that you come away with a deeper understanding of the school.”

Pro Tip: Check out our resources on our website for college tours.  College Visits 101 will give you some suggestions of questions you might want to have answered while visiting, and the College Tour – Advice for Parents is a good overview of the role parents play on the college visit.

2. Schedule Strategically

Try to visit when classes are in session to get a true feel for campus life. Avoid major events or holidays when the campus might not represent a typical day.

Pro Tip: Check the school’s website for available tours but don’t be afraid to call the admissions office if the day you are planning to go is full, especially if you are traveling a significant distance.  Many times admissions offices will try to work with students who are coming from out of state.  If that doesn’t work, no worries, you can still go visit – just make sure to stop by the admissions office and register so they know you were there and pick up any self guided tour information.

3. Plan Beyond the Official Tour

Look into sitting in on a class, meeting with a professor in your intended major, or even arranging an overnight stay in a dorm if possible. Katie suggests checking in with your admissions counselor at the school you plan to visit to see what additional options might be available while you are on campus.  Bonus, it is an additional touch point with the school which helps show your interest, never a bad thing when you are getting ready to apply to college.

During the Visit: Maximizing Your Time

1. Take the Official Tour, But Don’t Stop There

The official tour is a great starting point, but it’s just that – a starting point. Use it to get oriented, then dig deeper.  Wander the campus freely. Visit the library, check out the fitness center, and grab a meal in the dining hall. These unstructured moments can give you the best feel for campus life.

Pro Tip: Do a little research and see what some of the popular student coffee shops and restaurants are and stop in for a bite.  You can also get a feel for the school by the vibe in the local hangouts. 

2. Talk to Current Students

Your tour guide is trained to give you the highlights, but random students you meet can offer unfiltered insights. Don’t be shy – most college students are happy to chat about their experiences.  “If you know older students on campus from your high school reach out to them to let them know you are visiting,” says Katie.  “That is a great way to get information from someone you have a relationship with – they may be able to give you some pointers about other places to visit on campus or around town to really get a feel for the school.”

Pro Tip: Parents – while we know it is tempting to take the lead here, this is really the time to let your child take ownership of their college admissions process.

3. Visit Your Department of Interest

If you have a major in mind, visit that department. Check out their facilities and bulletin boards to get a sense of research opportunities and events.  You might even have the opportunity to peek into a class while it is in session to see how the students and faculty interact, what type of technology is being used, and an overall feel for what a college class is like.

5. Pick Up a Student Newspaper

This can give you a pulse on current campus issues and student concerns. “A student newspaper can also give you insight into activities around campus during the week and on the weekends so you get a feel for what students are doing outside of the classroom,” says Katie.

The Devil’s in the Details: What to Look For

1. Campus Vibe & Facilities

Is the campus buzzing with activity or eerily quiet? Do students look stressed or relaxed? Happy or indifferent? Are the buildings well-maintained? How about the dorms? Is the WiFi reliable? (Trust us, this matters more than you think!)

“You can gain a lot of insight on the campus vibe just by observing the students and faculty on campus,” says Katie.  “Don’t base your impression of the school solely on your impression of your tour guide.  Try to have a variety of interactions with various people on campus to help inform your decision.”

2. Safety

Look for blue light emergency phones and ask about campus security measures.

Pro Tip: Many schools now have apps to help with safety.  Students can enter their trusted person and then when they are leaving a location they enter that into the app.  Based on a typical travel time the app will notify your trusted contact if you don’t arrive when you should.  See what other technology solutions the campus you are visiting might offer.

3. Transportation & Surrounding Area

If it’s not a walkable campus, what transportation options are available?  Don’t forget to explore the town or city. You’re not just choosing a school, but a home for the next four years.  Make sure to ask about housing options for both freshman year and beyond.  Many students live off campus at some point during college so it is helpful to ask about living arrangements and commuter parking on campus as that may be important later on.

After the Visit: Processing Your Experience

1. Take Notes Immediately

Trust us, after visiting multiple schools, details will start to blur. Jot down your impressions right after each visit.

Pro Tip: It is ok (and encouraged) to take notes during the information session but be sure to do a final debrief at the end of your visit as well.  Be sure to take pictures – that can remind you of things later on.  It helps to take a picture of something with the school’s name on it as your first picture so that you know all the pictures that follow are from that institution.  If you are on a multi-school tour, this can be very helpful because things begin to blend together after a while.

2. Discuss as a Family

Share your observations and feelings about the school. Sometimes, talking it through can clarify your thoughts. Katie encourages parents to let their child lead the conversation about initial school impressions. “Remember this is where your student will spend 4 years so it is important that they are happy and comfortable and they feel it is a place they will fit in and thrive.”

3. Follow Up

If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office. They are typically happy to answer any questions that you might have or connect you with the appropriate resource.

The Intangible Factor

Here’s the thing – beyond all the practical considerations, pay attention to that gut feeling. Does your teen light up on this campus? Can they picture themselves there? Sometimes, the right school just “feels” right.

Remember, college visits are as much about ruling schools out as finding the perfect fit. It’s okay if a dream school on paper doesn’t feel right in person. That’s valuable information!

The college visit is an art, not a science. It’s about balancing practical observations with emotional responses and official information with unofficial vibes. By approaching your campus tours with intention and an open mind, you’ll gather the insights needed to make this big decision.

So pack your comfortable shoes, charge your phone (for all those campus photos), and get ready to embark on this exciting journey. Who knows? You might just stumble upon the perfect home away from home for your soon-to-be college student. Happy touring!