Visiting a college campus is an important step in the college selection process. It provides firsthand experience and insights into the college’s environment, culture, and facilities. Read on to find out how to make the most of your college tours.

When planning your campus visits, allow time to explore each college. While you’re there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admissions staff, professors, and students. Below are some other things you can do while visiting. Note that some activities, such as meeting with an admissions officer, sitting in on a class or staying overnight in a residence hall might need to be set up in advance.

Get a feel for student life and see if this college is a place where you will do well. Take notes as you explore (or immediately after if you have a good oratory memory). This helps tremendously when you write supplemental essays to indicate “demonstrated interest”. Being able to articulate that you like the school because of a specific interaction you had while visiting, or niche program you found out about, or professor you spoke to, leaves a stronger impression than, “I really like the campus”. There are many ways to explore a campus while visiting:

• Take a campus tour.

• Talk to current students about life on campus and the college.

• Check out the first-year residence halls. Stay overnight in a residence hall, if possible.

• Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities.

• Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play.

• Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.

• What are the best reasons to go to this college?

• What’s it like to go from high school to college?

• What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?

• What do you love about this college?

• What do you wish you could change about this college?

• Why did you choose this college?

• What is it like to live here?

Tune in to learn what’s happening on campus and what’s on students’ minds:

• Listen to the college radio station.
• Read the student newspaper.
• Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternative newspapers, and literary reviews.
• Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.
• Go to the career center and learn what services it offers.
• Browse the school’s website and any campus blogs.

Stop by the financial aid office to pick up information. Inquire about speaking to a financial aid representative (you might need an appointment). 

Questions to ask:           

• What percentage of students receive financial aid?  
• What does a typical financial aid package look like for someone with my family’s income level? 
• How does outside scholarship money affect my financial aid package?
• Is work study available? How easy is it to get a job on campus?

Many campus tours are focused on the student’s overall experience at that campus.  Be sure to get your questions answered about the hard facts like majors offered, internships, research opportunities, honors programs and financial aid.

It’s not realistic to visit every campus your student is interested in.  Many schools have virtual tours on their website that give great insight into their school and programs. Make appointments online with a representative from the programs your student is interested in to learn more.