Making the Most of College Visits

Spring Break is an excellent time to visit college campuses - especially if the schools you’re touring are in session so you can see the campus in action. Here are some tips to get the most out of your day on campus.

Sign up for a Campus Tour

Admission tours are the best way to see a campus. Typically student-led, a tour will give you a broad overview of the school. During the tour, you’ll learn about admissions and hear about the school’s traditions, culture and personality. Sign up on the school's admissions page well in advance - tours are free! They are best done during the week to observe students in classroom settings.

In addition to a broad campus tour, some schools offer supplemental smaller tours focusing on a specific department, facility or residence hall. These interest-specific tours are typically geared toward students interested in areas like Engineering, Arts, or Athletics. They will take you through an actual dorm room as well.

If the tours are full, ask if the campus offers Q&A sessions, has a visitor’s center where you can drop in, or provides a self-guided tour. Please let us know if you have a tour scheduled as we can reach out to our admissions rep at that university as well.

Talk with Students

In addition to talking with your campus tour guide, talk with other current students. Ask what the student loves about the school, what he/she’s studying, what activities he/she’s involved in. Inquire about a typical day on campus and a typical Friday night out.

Observe & Experience Student Life

• Spend time people-watching in the main quad. What are the students like? How do they interact with each other? Do they seem like people you would be friends with?

• Read the student newspaper - What issues matter to students?

• Eat in one of the dining halls (if that’s an option).

• Tour a dorm room to get a feel for where you’ll spend most of your time during your first year as a student.  How big (or small) are the rooms? Do the residence halls have any unique features - like a rec room, a theater, a game room, etc.?

• Step inside the rec center, library, and student store. Can you see yourself pulling an all-nighter in the library? Does the rec center offer the types of workout classes you like to attend?

• Visiting a big school? Take note if students seem to be connecting with one another on campus. Often a really big school can actually have a smaller community than you think.   

Think about the Setting

Exploring the community surrounding the campus completes the picture of what life is like at that university.

• What is there to do on the weekends?

• Where do students who choose to live off campus live?

• Can you continue doing your favorite hobbies in this new place?

• How’s the weather? If you visit a campus during the spring, ask students what the weather is like in the winter. If you love warm weather, attending a school that has a chilly winter season may not be the right fit.

• Is there an industry nearby that’s related to your interests?

Ask about Support Services

If you are a student with a learning disability or ADHD, visit the Disability Support Services Office while touring each campus.  Find out what types of support services they offer to meet your needs.

Visit the Admissions Office

Stop by the Admissions Office to meet and ask if you can speak with an admissions officer. Be prepared with a few questions to ask. Making this personal connection can go a long way toward demonstrating interest in the school while also giving you insight into the school’s admissions review.

Say Thank You

After your visit, send a quick note to the tour guide, admissions officer, or other campus representative you met while touring. Mention specific details about why you think you’re a good fit for the campus. Keep it short and sweet, and if you’re writing to an admissions officer, keep it formal.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself!  This is an exciting time in your life to be deciding what life after high school may look like for you.

Debbie Levy

College & Career Advisor