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College Visits Essentials: Making the Most of Your Campus Tours

College visits essentials.

Embarking on college visits and campus tours marks a significant milestone in the college search process. These experiences offer invaluable opportunities for prospective students to explore potential colleges firsthand, gaining insights into campus life, academics, and extracurricular opportunities. As you begin compiling your college list and narrowing down your choices, college visits can help you make informed decisions about your future.

In this article, we’ll delve into the essentials of college visits, offering practical college visit tips and a college visits checklist for maximizing your experience . We will cover everything from uncovering the questions you should ask during a college tour to understanding how to schedule and plan college visits effectively. And, we’ll look at things you may not have thought about, including having virtual college visits, conducting a self-guided tour, and navigating college campus tours safely and effectively.

We promise this article provides everything you need to know regarding the college visit process. Whether you’re just beginning your college search or fine-tuning your college list, these insights will help you navigate the complexities of the college visit process with confidence. 

Let’s get started!

Are College Visits Important?

When making one of the most significant decisions of your academic career, the role of college visits in the college search process cannot be overstated. College campus tours are a crucial part of the decision-making process, offering firsthand insights that can influence your college search.

First and foremost, college visits allow you to immerse yourself in the campus environment and explore academic facilities, dormitories, and recreational amenities. Whether you’re passionate about conducting research in state-of-the-art laboratories or participating in vibrant student organizations, visiting a college in person lets you assess whether it offers the resources and opportunities you seek.

Moreover, college visits offer the chance to interact with current students, faculty members, and admissions staff, providing invaluable perspectives on academics, extracurricular activities, and campus life. These personal connections offer unique insights you simply can’t gain from a website or brochure. 

Ultimately, the information and impressions gathered during college visits can significantly impact your college choice. By experiencing campuses firsthand, you can effectively consolidate your college list and compare your top colleges by understanding which colleges resonate with you. Before you make your final decision , you can use the information collected on the campus tours to demonstrate your interest in the college or university, increasing your chances of acceptance. 

What Should I Ask On A College Tour?

While college visits and campus tours provide invaluable firsthand experiences , it’s essential to do your homework before stepping foot on any campus. Here’s one of our “pre” college visit tips–conduct thorough research beforehand to help you make the most of your visit. By asking the right questions , you can gather the information you need to make an informed decision about your college choice.

Questions about academics

One crucial aspect of pre-tour research is identifying academic programs and resources that interest you. Take the time to explore the college’s website and familiarize yourself with the range of majors, minors, and academic opportunities available. Here are a couple of questions you may want to ask:

• Can you provide more information about the [specific major/program]?
• Are there opportunities for undergraduate research or internships in [area of interest]?

Questions about campus life

In addition to academic offerings, consider campus life and student services that you would like to know more about. Research the college’s extracurricular activities, student organizations, and campus events to understand the social and cultural opportunities available. Here are other questions you may want to ask:

• What types of student organizations are active on campus?
• Are there opportunities for community service or volunteer work?

More college visit questions

Furthermore, consider other aspects of the school that might not be immediately obvious. Research housing options for juniors, including on-campus dormitories, off-campus apartments, and housing policies for upperclassmen. Also, consider things like parking availability and policies regarding cars on campus. Consider asking questions such as:

• What are the housing options for upperclassmen, and how is housing assigned?
• Is parking available on campus for students, and are there any restrictions on bringing cars?

Conducting thorough research, and making your college visits checklist, is essential for making the most of any college visit.

How Many College Visits Should I Do?

When determining how many college visits you should do, you’ll need to strike a balance between quantity, quality, and expense. While visiting as many colleges as possible may seem ideal, college visits can get pricey. Therefore, it’s crucial to personalize your college visit plan to ensure that you make the most of your time, energy, and financial resources.

Here are some steps you can take to help prioritize your college visits and ensure you are completing the right number of college campus tours:

Four Steps to Planning College Visits

1. start with a broad college list.

Have a wide range of colleges that interest you, encompassing various types of campuses such as big versus small, urban versus rural, and public versus private institutions. Consider including HBCU college tours or schedule one or two Harvard tours. Having a broad college list lets you gain insights into the diverse campus environments and refine your preferences accordingly.

2. Prioritize your top choices

Once you’ve identified your top 3-5 colleges on your college list, prioritize visiting these campuses. Consider planning multiple trips in various capacities if you’re highly interested in a particular school. For example, you can schedule an online UCLA campus tour. Then, schedule an in-person prospective student UCLA campus tour. You can even conduct a self-guided tour versus an official UCLA campus tour to have more flexibility in where you’ll get to go on campus. 

3. Balance depth with practicality

While visiting as many colleges as possible can be beneficial, consider the practicalities of your college visits checklist. Virtual college tours and information sessions can be valuable alternatives for colleges that are harder to visit in person. For instance, Harvard tours can be in-person or virtual. Therefore, if Harvard is on your list, plan your Harvard tours accordingly based on your availability and resources.

4. Consider special programs

If you’re invited to special programs for admitted students or specific academic departments, prioritize these college visits. Special programs through HBCU college tours or college visits for juniors often offer opportunities to interact with faculty, current students, and other admitted students, giving you a firsthand glimpse into life on campus.

Next, let’s discuss how to plan and schedule a college visit.

How To Schedule College Visits

Planning your college visits involves careful coordination and scheduling to ensure you make the most of your time on campus. From considering academic calendars to contacting college admissions offices, here are some college visit tips regarding scheduling your campus tours effectively.

Here are two of the most important things to keep in mind when working on the logistics of your campus visits. 

How to Work on Logistics of Campus Visits

Consider academic calendars.

Plan your college visits around academic calendars. Before scheduling your college visits, consider the academic calendars of the colleges you plan to visit. Check their websites to determine the dates of important events, such as orientation sessions, midterm exams, and holidays. This is important whether you are planning college visits for juniors, HBCU college tours, or any other kind of college visit.

Contact Admissions Offices

Contact college admissions for tour scheduling. Once you’ve identified potential college visit dates, it’s time to contact the admissions offices or go to the admissions website to schedule your campus tours. Most colleges offer guided campus tours led by student ambassadors or admissions staff. Additionally, many schools host information sessions that provide an overview of the college’s programs, resources, and admissions process.

Scheduling college visits: step-by-step

Let’s take a look at a hypothetical example to better understand the steps it takes to schedule a campus tour. Imagine you’re a high school student living in Chicago. You have already completed a University of Chicago tour, and now, you’re interested in scheduling a tour of the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. As an in-state college, accessing the University of Chicago tour may have been simple. But let’s look at how you can navigate the scheduling process of an out-of-state college tour:

Navigating an Out-of-State College Tour

• Research USC’s academic calendar to identify optimal visit dates that align with your availability.
• Visit USC’s admissions website to find information about campus tours and information sessions. Determine whether USC offers guided tours, self-guided tours, or virtual college visits for prospective students unable to visit in person.
• Use the USC campus tours website to schedule your campus tour. In addition to scheduling an admissions tour and presentation, consider scheduling an academic department presentation.
• Upon confirmation of your campus tour reservation from USC’s admissions office, make travel arrangements from Chicago to Los Angeles. This includes booking flights, accommodations, and transportation to and from the USC campus.
• Plan your itinerary for your visit to USC. Consider attending guided campus tours, participating in information sessions, exploring campus facilities, and engaging with current students and faculty members.
• During your visit, bring your college visits checklist. Take notes, ask questions, and gather information to help you decide whether USC is the right fit for you.

Since the cost of college visits is a big factor to take into consideration during the planning process, let’s discuss it further.

Are College Visits Free?

As you begin to make your college visit list, you’ll need to understand the costs associated with college visits. While some campus tours may be free, others require careful budgeting and planning to manage expenses. 

College visits can incur various expenses, including transportation, accommodation, meals, and miscellaneous fees. While some colleges offer free guided campus tours and information sessions, others may charge a nominal fee for certain services or events.

Tips for managing the cost of college visits

To manage the costs associated with college tours effectively, consider the following college visit tips for budgeting and finding free visit opportunities:

Start planning your campus tours well in advance to take advantage of early booking discounts and special promotions. Research travel options, accommodations, and local amenities to identify cost-saving opportunities and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Utilize virtual college tours

Besides visiting colleges in person, explore virtual college tours offered by colleges and universities. Many institutions, such as Boston College and Harvard University , provide virtual college visits and information sessions that allow you to explore campus facilities, interact with admissions staff, and learn about academic programs from the comfort of your home at no cost.

Explore fly-in programs

Several colleges and universities offer fly-in programs. These programs typically cover travel expenses, accommodations, meals, and participation in campus activities, allowing students to experience campus life firsthand without incurring any costs.

Speaking of fly-in programs, let’s learn a little more about them.

Fly-in programs

Here are three great fly-in programs/opportunities for low-income students.  

1. QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program

College visits for juniors are incredibly important. QuestBridge offers a College Prep Scholars Program for high-achieving, low-income high school juniors which, you guessed it, sponsors college visits for juniors. This program provides participants access to college admissions resources, mentorship opportunities, and fly-in college visits for juniors to top colleges and universities across the United States. Beyond giving fly-in college visits for juniors, QuestBridge takes it a step further and will help fund your attendance to top summer programs at some of the most prestigious colleges in the country.

2. Tulane University, PreviewTU Program

PreviewTU is a campus visit program at Tulane University that typically occurs in the fall. While open to all, students who identify as first-generation college attendees, LGBTQIA+, are from low-income backgrounds or rural/small-town residents, and/or students of color are particularly encouraged to attend. The program is offered both virtually and in person. PTU activities include campus tours, student panels, admissions and financial aid sessions, lunch with Diversity Fellows, and opportunities to connect with professors and support partners. Financially disadvantaged students may qualify for partial travel reimbursement stipends of up to $500 for themselves and one guest. 

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Weekend Immersion in Science and Engineering (WISE)

MIT’s Weekend Immersion in Science and Engineering (WISE) is a three-day program for rising seniors to explore MIT life. It’s fully funded, covering transportation to and from MIT. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Latinx, and Native American students, those from lower socioeconomic statuses, and first-generation students, are strongly encouraged to apply. WISE typically occurs in September. Participants reside on campus with MIT undergraduates, engaging in academic and campus life activities. They meet peers and faculty and attend college admissions and financial aid workshops. Applications are due in August, and the program generally takes place in October.

At this point, we’ve covered college visit tips for preparing for your visit. Now, let’s discuss what to do when you’ve finally made it to campus!

Things To Do On A College Visit

As shared earlier, college visits offer students a chance to get a feel for the college campus and community. Therefore, while on a college visit, it’s important to take advantage of all the things to do on campus and within the surrounding community or area. Here are 3 things to do on your college tours and college visits:

3 Things To Do on College Visits

1. attend information sessions and campus tours.

This may seem obvious but don’t bail on the planned tours and sessions. They’ll give you valuable information about the school and campus. These parts of the college visit are just as important as exploring on your own. Don’t forget to bring your list of questions and ask about anything that isn’t answered! 

2. Inquire about attending classes or talking to current students

Besides attending information sessions and campus tours, ask about the possibility of attending classes or speaking with current students during your visit. Observing a class in your area of interest can provide valuable insights into the college’s academic rigor and teaching style. Similarly, chatting with current students can offer firsthand perspectives on the overall student experience. 

3. Explore the campus

Don’t be shy when you’re visiting a college’s campus. Wander around and imagine yourself living or studying there. Check out all the different areas of campus. Basically, get a feel for the vibe of the school–trust your intuition and see if it feels like a fit.

Don’t forget to consider the area outside of campus. Evaluating the surrounding community of a college campus can provide valuable insights into the overall quality of life and opportunities available to students during their college experience. Think about the amenities and resources that are important to you. Consider adding these questions to your college visits checklist. Are there nearby music venues, art galleries, or cultural attractions that align with your interests? What transportation options are available, including airports or public transit systems? No detail is too small to ask about on your visit to campus.

When Should You Start Visiting Colleges?

Navigating the college search process is undoubtedly complex. Next, we will cover some tips on when to set up your first college visit. There isn’t a hard and fast rule to this question, but there are certainly some best practices when it comes to planning college visits.

It is never too early to begin visiting colleges. College admissions offices receive tour requests from students as young as 6 th grade. If you plan to visit a college any time before your 9th-grade year, it is important to remember that you may need to tour the college again before applying and certainly before enrolling.

Going on a college visit as a younger student can begin planting the seeds for what college is like. But very rarely will a college visit before high school provide you with meaningful admissions information that you will be able to retain and act on when it is time to submit your application.

College visits for juniors and seniors 

As you get closer to your junior and senior year of high school, college visits become more than just an opportunity to understand college more broadly. College visits for juniors and seniors can help students discover their preferences. At this stage of the college search process, students can begin to discern the type of college campus they might see themselves ultimately enrolling at.

Whether you are on a UCLA campus tour in California, a University of Chicago tour in Illinois, or a Harvard tour in Massachusetts , you can begin to explore your regional preferences. Additionally, experiences on HBCU college tours can give you some insight into distinct institutional types. Note how you felt about your HBCU college tours at institutions like Spelman College or Howard University compared to other universities. College visits do more than show you what colleges you might like, they also expose you to colleges that might not be a good fit.

Managing the logistics of college visits

Campus visits are often hard to arrange because of the time and resources they require. If you are planning to go on multiple college campus tours, you may find a strain on time and resources. A student who lives in Florida may find that attending a UCLA campus tour is much harder to plan than attending a campus tour at the University of Florida. Because of this, many families begin planning their campus visits far in advance. There are also opportunities to visit campus at the last minute. However, these trips typically align with other travel or are at campuses close to the student’s home.

In addition to prospective student visits, you may have the opportunity to visit campus as an admitted student. Admitted student college visits often include a more immersive experience than a college campus tour for a prospective student. Even if you have already visited campus, admitted student visits will often equip you with all the information necessary to make your final college decision .

College Visits During Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in additional access to college admissions information. During the pandemic, colleges and universities added an increased number of virtual college tours, online information sessions, and other virtual opportunities to learn more about colleges in the absence of in-person college campus tours. Virtual college tours allow students to access information at any time and refer to these virtual college tours when questions arise.

The pandemic also resulted in additional safety measures for college campus tours.  At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, college campus tours were completely halted. As campus tours resumed, colleges adopted mask mandates, reduced tour capacity, and made changes to tour stops. The largest safety measure during the coronavirus pandemic was COVID-19 testing prior to attending college campus tours.

While many of these safety precautions are a thing of the past, it is important to understand the heightened awareness around health that is still present on college campuses. Before you visit a college campus, it can be helpful to review their policies to confirm that there are no additional requirements for their campus tours. And, don’t be afraid to take personal precautions to take care of yourself, like wearing a mask on your visits.

What Colleges Are Open For Tours?

Thousands of colleges and universities across the country offer college tours . Most colleges offer campus tours throughout the academic year and in the summer. To learn more about the campus tour availability on a specific campus, you should visit the admissions or welcome center website. Some colleges also provide the opportunity for a self-guided tour which allows families to visit campus outside of the scheduled tour times.

Virtual college visits 

If you are unable to arrange an in-person college visit, don’t fret. There are several ways to experience a college without stepping foot on campus. Virtual college tours and virtual college visits allow students to experience a campus from the comfort of their homes. For example, if you are unable to attend the UCLA campus tour or the University of Chicago tour, you can sign up for one of their virtual college visits or virtual college tours.

In addition to virtual college tours and virtual college visits, social media has also offered opportunities for prospective students to explore a college campus from their cell phones. Following institutions on your college list on Instagram or TikTok can often provide a current student’s vantage point of their campus. Social media is one of the best ways to get to know a college virtually!

What Happens During A College Visit?

College visits come in all shapes and sizes. Most college visits include some type of campus tour. Campus tours can be led by a student ambassador or experienced as a self-guided tour. The first stop on college campus tours is typically the Office of Admissions or the Welcome Center. This introduction to campus usually provides basic information on the college and orients the guests with the rest of the tour.

Academics 

College campus tours introduce students to the academic buildings, student life opportunities, and residence life offered on the campus. Academic buildings on campus tours can include the school library, tutoring center, or architecture building. Understanding where your major classes are located can give you insight into the classroom and lab spaces available to students in your major.

College campus tours can also be enhanced by exploring additional personalized experiences. Some colleges will offer a general admissions information session as part of the campus tour. Other institutions might offer academic information sessions for students interested in majors like engineering, computer science, or business.

Student/residence life 

Student life opportunities can be found throughout the campus tour and are an important deciding factor in the college search process. College visits highlight the student organizations available for you to join. You may also find your tour guide pointing out popular hangout spots around campus. Student guides on Harvard tours might point out the Stone Hall Basement or Squash courts in the athletic complex. Student life opportunities also include campus events and traditions. Student guides on HBCU tours might talk about their epic homecoming celebrations.

Residence life also tops the list of the most popular campus tour stops. Residence life information includes touring a dorm and seeing the cafeteria. Facilities such as the campus gym and study spaces might also be included in the residence life portion of the tour.

What To Wear To A College Visit?

When you schedule your first college visit, it is unlikely that your email confirmation will include a dress code. The type of clothing you choose to wear may vary based on the type of college visit you are going on. As a rule of thumb, you should wear clothing that you feel confident in–and that you’d feel comfortable meeting admissions officers in. Considering the weather and walking requirements will also provide insight on what to wear. 

Beyond what to wear, let’s discuss what additional items should be included on your college visits checklist.

What To Bring On A College Visit?

College visits can often be long days in cities you are unfamiliar with. So, it is critical to think about the items you might need during the day. Check out this college visits checklist:

College Visits Checklist

• Notepad and pen
• Umbrella or poncho for inclement weather
• Phone to take pictures and videos
• Money to visit the school bookstore

All the items on the college visits checklist may not be necessary for every college visit. You should use your best judgment to discover if these items would be useful for the campus you are visiting.

College campus tours can be impacted by several variables. Campus visits are subject to weather, campus emergencies, holidays, and many other contingencies. Your college visits checklist may shift depending on any of the events above. Check out this resource as you are compiling your checklist.  

5 Tips for Maximizing Your College Visits

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed the importance of college visits, when to begin planning college visits, and what to include on your college visits checklist. Before we wrap up, let’s discuss five college visit tips for maximizing your time.

5 Tips for College Visits

1. do your research.

Studying a college ahead of time allows you to better understand its programs, campus culture, and the opportunities it offers. Identify specific areas of interest, such as academic departments, extracurricular activities, or campus facilities you want to explore. Having a basic knowledge of the campus and how it aligns with your interests will allow you to focus on the more nuanced questions and observations once you arrive for your campus tour. 

2. Engage with the Campus Community

Talking to campus community members apart from your tour guide is one of the best ways to have an authentic experience during college visits. Campus community members include current students, faculty, and staff. Conversations with people who are on campus every day will give you firsthand insights into the college experience there. And, you don’t have to worry about whether someone is just telling you something because it is their job to do so (tour guides are great, but they are extensively trained to share specific information). Ask questions about academic programs, student life, support services, and anything else that will help you gauge if the campus is the right fit for you.

3. Attend Information Sessions and Campus Tours

Some students might think that arranging an unofficial tour will be more beneficial and honest. While you may receive some inside information that an official tour won’t provide, you will also miss out on some critical information. Always register for the official campus tours and information sessions to gain structured insights about the college. These sessions often provide valuable information not available on the website or in brochures. Meeting a current student or family friend for lunch or taking a self-guided tour after an official information session can give you the additional freedom you are seeking out on your college visits. 

4. Explore Beyond the Tour

After your official tour, it is highly recommended to explore campus on your college visits. Spend time wandering around the campus to get a feel for the environment and the student body. It is of growing importance to students that they like the town or city that their college is in. Visit the surrounding area of the campus to see what amenities and off-campus activities are available to students. If you are unfamiliar with the city, you might benefit from visiting some tourist attractions like museums, parks, or special events. Another great way to explore the environment around campus is going out for a simple lunch or dinner to get a better feel for the culture beyond the college campus. 

5. Document Your Visit

After going on several college visits, they may begin to all run together. Be sure to take notes and photos during your visit to help you remember what you liked and disliked about each campus. This is especially important for college visits for juniors and sophomores, as these students may have more time between their college visits and submitting the admissions application. Once your tour is over, reflect on each of your visits to compare the different colleges. You will need this perspective once you begin receiving admissions offers and are facing a finite time to make such an important life decision. After all, one or two details may be the difference between a college making your college list.

College Visits – Takeaways

College visits are an essential part of the college search process and creating a college list. Thankfully, planning an informative college visit is not as complicated as you might think. 

Successful college campus tours begin with doing your research early. This research might include location, academic offerings, and student life opportunities. Whether you are attending HBCU college tours, Harvard tours, or Boston College tours, feel free to look back at our college visit tips.  

During your college visits, do not forget to register for an official tour , engage with the campus community, and explore the environment beyond the campus tour.  Your college campus tours will be beneficial far after the visit has ended. Read through your notes and look through pictures of the campus when it’s time to fill out your college applications. We hope by the end of this guide, you feel prepared to plan and go on your college visits. For more resources, check out this college visit webinar on making the most of your visit and how college visits show demonstrated interest . And, after all those college visit tips, here’s one more for the road–have fun!

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins and Chelsea Holley. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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The Ultimate Guide to College Visits: What You Need to Know

by Melissa Brock | Nov 29, 2023 | Ask the admission office | 0 comments

As a parent, college visits can seem like the most complex undertaking in your child’s high school experience to date. What schools should you visit? What questions should you ask? What do you make of all those dollar signs on the financial aid guide? (Oh yeah, that’s a biggie.)

College visits vary so much, and that’s the cool thing about each. You can get a real sense of what a particular college or university “feels like,” which is pretty intangible. Even so, it can make or break the college tour experience.

We’ll shed light on all this while focusing on effective planning, what to do on campus tours, the questions to ask, what school to tour next — everything. We’re going to go beyond the standard advice so you get the most comprehensive practical tips ever.  

Why Are College Visits Important? 

Types of college visits, what happens during college visits.

• Getting There

Parking on Campus

Finding the admission office, connecting with admission counselors or representatives, going on a campus tour, student lounge areas, residence halls, athletic facilities, administrative buildings, academic buildings.

• Auditoriums and Performing Arts Spaces

Experiencing the Academic Side

Meeting with others on campus, other factors to consider during college visits, student-to-faculty ratio, extracurricular opportunities, campus diversity, support services, career services.

• Making the Most of Your Campus Visits

Engage with Current Students

Explore surrounding areas, document your impressions, does visiting a college help you get in, make your college visits exceptional.

I spent 12 years working in college admission, and I can tell you the most important reason to visit colleges: It gives you and your child (both of you — that’s important!) a chance to understand the campus culture. Getting physically on campus allows you to immerse yourself in the community so you can: 

• Learn about student life.
• “Feel” the atmosphere.
• Gain authentic insights into the community. 

Imagine visiting a college on a Friday and watching everyone pack up to go home for the weekend — that sure tells you a lot about a campus, huh? Or, what if you and your student notice a palpable energy on campus preceding the weekend? That can tell you so much about student priorities. 

Two totally different experiences can give you and your child an idea of what to expect, and the only way you can learn is to get your feet on campus. Even if you’ve gotten the glossy literature in the mail or noticed the gorgeous academic facilities online, it’s time to see if it all matches up. 

You might be tempted to do virtual college tours and check that college off the list, but resist that impulse. There’s nothing like getting boots on campus to really understand what a campus looks like and feels like, which your child can’t get from gluing themselves to a computer screen. 

Did you know that there are different types of college visits? 

• Personal campus visits: Whether you visit a liberal arts college or a community college , personal campus visits offer the most individualized visit opportunity. Your student will most likely get to do everything they want to do while on campus because when you schedule it, you tailor it to your students’ interests.
• Academic visit days: If your child knows they want to major in a particular academic area, you can attend an academic visit day, giving your child general knowledge about academics. You’ll likely get to do a group tour.
• Athletic visit days: Some colleges offer athlete preview days, where athletes converge on campus and visit with other prospective athletes and coaches.
• Individual interest visit days: Music visit days, theater visit days, etc. — the list goes on. Colleges try to offer showcases of different programs to attract students to visit.

Before you even set foot on campuses, you must schedule college visits — learn how to get an official visit to a college. I’ve detailed exactly how to do that in the linked post. There are two main ways to schedule visits — by calling the admission office or visiting the college online and clicking “schedule a visit” under the admission tab. There’s more to think about than simply filling out a form, so check out the post on how to plan college visits.

Once you schedule your college visit, the next logical steps include getting there, parking on campus, finding the admission office, and then getting your visit underway.

First, you have to get to campus. Make your travel arrangements in advance so you can be sure everything aligns. Check with area hotels about discounts for students visiting — some will offer those. Getting to colleges might be as simple as driving two hours from home, while others require a flight and rental car.

Sometimes, colleges will offer vouchers to reimburse travel. For example, as an admission employee, I was authorized to reimburse a portion of a visitor’s travel expenses, such as a plane ticket or gas receipts. You may also qualify for a free college visit if you’re a low-income household. Ask the admission office for more information.

Your scheduling information should contain information about parking on campus. Whether you receive information via snail mail, text or email (or all of these!), it should give you explicit instructions about where to park. 

Colleges and universities notoriously have terrible, crowded parking, but the admission office should have spots ready for you. They might even put your name on a spot if they’re on their A-game! That was one of the most popular things our admission office did for families. Talk about rolling out the red carpet!

Learn more: Are College Tours Free?  

You should receive a map in your confirmation materials., which may come via email, snail mail, text message and more.

Once you find the admission office, you should see a reception area or desk. Have your student check in right away — they should be expecting you. They may ask if you want coffee or water and direct you to the restrooms. They may invite you to sit in the office to wait for your first appointment, especially if you arrive early. Check out the comfy couches and take a look around!

As the admission office is the college’s front door, this is a great time to start evaluating the college. Ask yourself:

• Is the staff friendly and accommodating?
• Did someone greet you right away?
• If you had to wait, did other people greet you, stop, smile and sit down to chat?
• Did you meet your child’s admission counselor right away? (Remember that they may be on the road and unable to meet with you.)
• Did someone go over your child’s schedule with you immediately?

Sitting in the admission office can give you a sense of the place right off the bat — you’ve heard the expression that it’s hard to overcome a first impression and hold them to it.

Your child has an admission counselor at every single school. Here’s how it works: Admission offices divide the country into different areas, meaning that one counselor takes care of a territory. These professionals have “their” group of students that they usher through the admission process. 

Ensure that you meet with an admission or admissions counselor at a college or university, even if you don’t meet with your child’s admissions counselor. Though we do so much online these days, it’s important to maintain face-to-face communication with your child’s admission counselor. It can even alleviate your child’s nervousness to see a familiar face, particularly if your child has already met this individual, such as at a college fair or high school.

Try to meet with an admission counselor individually during your visit. When you meet with admission counselors, you’ll learn about the application process, scholarship opportunities and information about your child’s chosen program. Getting to know this person can set you apart from other candidates — face it, an edge means everything in this competitive admission process!

A quick note on meeting with admission counselors: No question is dumb, and encourage your student to have questions in mind. Students often clam up because they don’t know what to ask. Admissions counselors don’t know everything, but they should find it out for you — that’s their job. They’re like shepherds, rounding up your questions and delivering results.

Read more: 202 Powerful Questions to Ask on a College Tour  

Folks, this is the shining, blazing star of the college visit experience. You get to walk around and see the campus with your own eyes. Watching students on campus tours is fun because you can see them light up when they see particular parts of the campus that speak to them.

How long are college tours? Campus tours usually last one hour from start to finish but can last up to 90 minutes. You can’t choose your tour guide, which is too bad because a bad tour guide can seal the fate of the college. Try to talk them through that beforehand because they might not click with the tour guide.

You may not start your visit with a campus tour — it depends on your schedule or the visit day schedule.

The campus visit coordinator will organize tours differently on different campuses but should hit these areas.

Checking out student lounge areas can give you a great idea of how students interact socially. Do they sit around, chatting and drinking coffee? How do they decompress after a long day of studying? Is it vibrant and inviting?

Hopefully, you’ll see:

• Comfortable seating options to provide a relaxed and informal atmosphere for students
• Tables and workspaces to study and collaborate on group projects
• Technology and equipment, such as TVs, gaming consoles and other entertainment
• Residence hall social spaces might contain board games, pool tables and other recreational activities.
• Bulletin boards or information centers where students can find announcements, event details and other important information
• Designated quiet zones or study corners for students who prefer a quieter atmosphere for focused studying or reading.

Finally, hopefully, these areas are easily accessible. Student lounge areas are usually centrally located on campus so students can stop between classes. Student lounge areas vary considerably from school to school, so they’re one possibly overlooked area to check out on college campuses.

Where do students eat? What’s the food like? Eating in the main dining area can give you and your student a good sense of how students utilize the cafeterias and, most importantly, how the food tastes. For some students, the cafeteria is one of the most important parts of the college experience — at least at first, on college visits. If the food isn’t good, don’t be surprised if your student writes off that college!

Cafeterias should be an open book, with diverse food options (particularly for specific dietary needs and healthy options), various meal plan options (which allow students to access the cafeteria for a certain number of meals per week), a range of food and specialty stations, social spaces, themed events, sustainability initiatives, late-night dining options and coffee shops or snack bars.

Finding a campus with the right residence hall, or dorm, is tricky. The options available often depend on the size and resources of the colleges you visit. 

Traditional residence halls typically have multiple floors with rooms arranged in a hallway for communal living and communal bathrooms. You’ll often find common areas for socializing and studying. However, you can find residence halls peppered with dozens of different options. 

• Suite-style halls: Community-style rooms connected by a shared common area and bathroom. 
• Apartment-style halls: Individual apartments or suites with a kitchen, living area and private bathrooms, typically for upperclassmen.
• Special-interest housing: Sometimes called themed housing, you might see special-interest housing favor honors students, language immersion living, or wellness communities. This might appeal to your student if they have specific interests.
• First-year student halls: These cater to students to foster community and collaboration among students in their first year of college.
• Family housing: If your student needs accommodations because they have a family of their own, family housing could be a good fit. Look into these units, which might consist of apartments or townhouses.

Other housing types might be available, even quiet or substance-free halls for students who prefer a more low-key living environment, or coed residence halls, which means that all genders coexist, likely with separate common areas. Your child can tap into so many different options — it’s amazing!

Your tour may or may not go through sports complexes, gyms and stadiums to emphasize the importance of physical fitness and recreational activities. If your child is an athlete, meeting with a coach may be an important part of their college visit, so you may not need an in-depth tour of this space, because the coach will take care of that.

A tour guide may walk you through offices for admissions, financial aid (to learn about the FAFSA ) and other administrative services to help students understand the support available to them, including academic support services. 

You likely won’t spend much time in these areas because hitting the most relevant day-to-day spaces is important: academic buildings, residence halls, common areas and cafeterias. However, some campuses have unique or historic buildings that symbolize the institution.

Tour guides should show you several academic buildings, such as classrooms, laboratories, research centers and specialized facilities, to highlight the institution’s commitment to developing successful graduates.

They may also show you buildings that house computer labs, innovation centers, or technology-focused facilities to showcase a campus’s technological resources.

Academic facilities can give you a sense of what it’s like to attend classes at that college. If you can, consider setting aside some time to visit with a faculty member or sitting in on a class. Watching how the professors or teaching assistants interact with the students can give you a great idea of the experience you’ll get as a student.

You can ask questions about the facilities, learn whether the technology is up to date, learn about the accessibility of faculty members, office hours, and any restrictions on faculty access or building access. You want your child’s best possible academic environment, and you can only find out by checking it out.

Some students think these are the most important buildings on a tour, and I half agree. You and your student must ensure you’re choosing the best educational atmosphere possible. However, remember that you can’t make friends with a building or spend time socializing with an academic program — remember the social aspect of campus life.

Evaluate the condition and accessibility of academic buildings. Are the facilities well-maintained, and do they meet your standards? Consider how easily you can navigate the campus and access the needed resources.

Visit specialized facilities related to your field of study, such as labs, studios or performance spaces. Pay attention to the condition of classrooms and lecture halls, noting factors like technology integration, seating arrangements and overall comfort.

The campus tour should always feature at least one library. If it doesn’t, seriously question the integrity of the university. Even if your child doesn’t think they’ll use the library, they will! Look for shelves lined with a diverse tapestry of books and resources, the soft glow of study lamps and students huddling in cozy nooks or at communal tables, tapping away at laptops. 

The library should be calm, with a subtle rustle of turning pages and the faint hum of intellectual curiosity, creating a serene sanctuary for individual and collaborative learning.

Auditoriums and performing arts spaces may not appeal to all students (can you hear your student now?: “I’m not in the band or choir. Why do we have to look at this?”). Remember that all students will likely go to events on campus, and they may go here to watch.

The tour guide may also include beautiful spaces like parks, gardens, or other outdoor areas to show off the campus’s natural beauty and recreational spaces.

A few tips: 

• Wear comfortable walking shoes! You will not want to wear high heels — you will walk on campus for an hour, sometimes over craggy sidewalks and up flights of stairs. Check your kids’ shoes, too.
• Consider the weather. Bring a coat if it’s going to rain or be cold. Sometimes, students would show up in sweatshirts for their 20-degree-weather tour. Our campus visit coordinator often scrambled to find coats for these silly kids.
• Check your physical fitness. Some family members struggle to keep up with the pace of a college kid on a tour. If you’re not sure you can make it, send your child on the tour on their own and view the campus on your own at a leisurely pace.
• Walk near the front of the tour group. Campus tour groups may be huge, so park yourself near the front of the group so you can hear everything. The people in the back miss a lot.
• Be prepared to stop a lot. Whether to ensure lagging people catch up or to stop to hear about a particular campus feature, you’re going to stop on the tour.
• Don’t forget to go to the bathroom before your tour. Most student tour guides have a prescribed hour to fit in the whole tour, and making everyone else wait could mean the student might be late for class.
• Ask questions. Everywhere you go!
• Ask if you can go into buildings not on the tour. If you see a building and your tour guide does not plan to go in, ask if you can. They might say yes or suggest you swing back at the end of the tour or later during your visit.
• Ask for a smaller tour group if yours is large: It’s worth trying to get a small tour if you can see a huge group of people forming to leave for a tour. Consider sidling up to the desk and asking discreetly for a smaller tour. It’s not always possible, but could be worth it to get a more personalized experience.

Besides touring academic buildings on campus, your student may also elect to meet with a professor. I highly recommend meeting with professors face-to-face to understand how professors work and interact with students. 

Are they serious? Jokey? Care about their students? Naturally, some of that varies from professor to professor, but should be ingrained in the college’s aims and goals. Ask about the accessibility of professors outside of class. Are they available for one-on-one meetings, and do they actively engage with students in academic and extracurricular settings? 

Understanding the level of interaction your child can have with faculty members is crucial for a well-rounded educational experience.

If meeting with a professor gives your kid the heebie-jeebies, sitting in on a class can help alleviate some of that pressure. Your child will get a feel for the class while you duck out and order your favorite coffee from the student cafe.

Your student will hopefully feel immediately at ease in that professor’s classroom. Some professors even involve the student in the lesson! Fun (and a little scary)!

If you visit during a group visit day, you may only be able to hear an academic presentation by a professor or admission counselor. If that’s the case, that will give you a great rundown of the academic major your child is interested in, and as an added benefit, you may also hear questions others ask about the program or major that you hadn’t thought to ask.

Finally, who else can you think of to meet while on campus? All of this will be prescheduled before you get to campus, but you may also consider meeting with:

• Academic support individuals, particularly if your student has dyslexia or other learning differences.
• Coaches, if your child knows they want to play a sport in college. 
• Financial aid, particularly if you want to get an in-depth idea of what it will cost to attend the college or university.

Did you have a brainwave during your visit but didn’t make an appointment to meet with a particular group or individual on campus? Ask the admissions team or campus visit coordinator if you can squeeze it in later or make an appointment to talk with someone over the phone or Zoom in the coming weeks.

There are a million other things to consider when you’re on campuses. However, we’ll bring a few to the forefront: student-to-faculty ratio, extracurricular activities, diversity and student support services. Let’s hatch these eggs.

Class size can significantly impact your learning experience. Smaller class sizes often allow for more personalized attention and meaningful interactions with professors. During your visit, inquire about the student-to-faculty ratio and how it might vary across different departments.

Beyond academics, a well-rounded college experience includes participation in extracurricular activities. Explore the clubs, sports teams and cultural organizations available on campus. Consider how these opportunities align with your child’s interests and passions.

If you’re lucky, maybe a club fair will be going on, or maybe your student can talk to someone about an organization. Inquire about the level of student involvement, leadership opportunities and the overall impact of extracurricular activities on the campus community. A vibrant extracurricular scene can enhance your child’s college experience and contribute to personal and professional growth.

Diversity enhances the learning environment by exposing students to a variety of perspectives. Take note of the student body’s demographic makeup and the college’s efforts to promote inclusivity. A diverse campus fosters a rich and dynamic community. 

Speak with students from various backgrounds to gain insights into their experiences on campus. Additionally, inquire about the support services for underrepresented groups and the overall campus climate regarding diversity and inclusion. Remember, diversity means many things, including where people are from and their interests.

College life can be demanding. Ask about counseling services, academic support and career guidance. If resources like this are readily available, your student may feel more secure as they navigate the academic journey. Learn about mental health resources available on campus to ensure a well-rounded support system throughout your child’s college experience.

Ask about internship and job placement and the percentages. Alarm bells should ring if you hear “30 percent of our students found jobs after graduation last year.” That’s low. Ask about time management and study skill seminars offered by academic support services. 

Finally, let’s put the chocolate syrup on the ice cream on your campus tour. These tips will put the finishing touches on your visits.

Current students are the MIPs — the most insightful people — during college visits. They can offer candid information about daily life on campus, the rigor of academic programs and the overall student experience. Don’t hesitate to discuss with students you encounter during your tour, and consider arranging meetings with student ambassadors or participating in campus events.

Prepare a list of questions to ask current students. Inquire about their favorite aspects of the college, any challenges they’ve faced and how supportive the campus community is. Ask about opportunities for involvement in clubs, sports or other extracurricular activities. Current students’ perspectives can provide a realistic and nuanced view of what being a part of the college community is like.

A college education extends beyond the campus boundaries. Take time to explore the surrounding areas to gauge the off-campus lifestyle. Consider factors such as housing options, local amenities and job opportunities for internships or part-time work. A college’s location can significantly influence your overall experience, so ensure it aligns with your preferences.

Beyond the immediate vicinity, consider the broader city or town. Is it a thriving urban center with diverse cultural offerings or a quieter town with a strong sense of community? Assess whether the surrounding area complements your lifestyle and preferences.

With multiple college visits, details can start to blur. Create a system for documenting your impressions through a travel journal, photos, or a dedicated app. Include notes on the campus atmosphere, academic facilities and any standout features. Use our college visit checklist, the College Money Tips College Visit Spreadsheet , to document your impressions. You can copy and paste it onto your own Google spreadsheet. 

Organize your documentation by college, making it easy to compare your experiences. Include positive and negative observations and any feelings or intuitions you had during the visit. This documentation will be a valuable reference when making your final decision, helping you recall the nuances of each campus and how well they align with your expectations. Don’t forget to do this right away because it’s easy to forget the details once you do several college visits!

Do college visits help admissions? 

Visiting colleges doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get in. You still have to meet the entrance requirements for the college or university. Your admission counselor will go over the requirements when you meet with them. If you don’t think you’ll meet the requirements, ask the admission office about what you can do to boost your chances of getting in. It may involve taking the ACT or SAT again or auditioning for an oboe solo — ask the admission office.

In the intricate process of choosing the right college, official campus visits stand out as a pivotal step. By immersing yourself in the environment, engaging with current students and carefully considering various factors, you can make the right decisions that align with your academic and personal goals. College visits go beyond the brochures and websites. They let you envision your future on campus and find the perfect home.

Also, remember that the weather can influence your perception of a campus. A beautiful, sunny day might cast the campus in a positive light, while a rainy or overcast day could impact the visit. Consider visiting multiple times, if possible, to experience the campus in different seasons and weather conditions.

Finally, consider visiting colleges when schools are in session because you can view the college when students are on campus. Visiting college during spring break or fall break requires a specific approach, possibly visiting again when students are on campus.

Learn more: How to End the College Search

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Juniors, Now’s the Time to Schedule Your College Visits

Juniors, it’s time for you to get started on college visits.

Whether you’re thinking about knocking out one or two or hitting a series of colleges, here is your go-to guide for setting up a college visit. 

We’ll walk you through a steps to take before, during and after visits to help you find your perfect fit.

And if COVID-19 protocols are still underway, don’t miss our article about what to do when you can’t tour colleges in person .

What Can Juniors Do Right Now? 

Juniors can do a lot right now, including developing a checklist and other things you can put on the family calendar.

Step 1: Start talking.

That’s right. Sit down and have a conversation with your family.

What are you thinking you want to do for college? Do you think you want to go to a large school? A small school? What fits your personality and preferences?

Start talking with adults you trust about schools that make sense for your needs.

Step 2: Brainstorm.

Have no idea where to start? Start a brainstorming session where you write down your visions about what you think your college experience might be like.

Rather than throwing a dart at a map and jumping in the car, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions: 

• Do you see yourself going to a large or small school?
• Do you want a lot of personalized attention? 
• Are you looking for a more selective institution? 
• How far away from home do you want to live?
• When you envision college, what do you think of?

In other words, think broadly about your college visit choices, then think more narrowly about the colleges you’d like to visit. 

Put a premium on relationships when you make this list.

What kind of people do you want to meet? What type of individuals do you want to learn from?

Remember, college is about way more than pretty residence halls, beautiful buildings and other aesthetic things. It’s about the people who influence you along the way.

Step 3: Research at least one college.

Choose at least one college and do as much research as you can. Learn more about that particular school’s:

• Admission criteria
• Results — how many students go to graduate school, get a job after graduation, etc.
• School profile 
• Academics and selectivity: Are you looking for a serious academic environment? Would you rather go to a school that focuses on undergraduate teaching — or research? 
• Potential majors
• Housing information
• Extracurricular activities
• Athletics opportunities

After you narrow down some of the “big” things, like distance from home and general experience, then you can start thinking about things like major, requirements and more.

Does this college college or university you’ve researched fit the bill? If not, look for another one. If that one makes sense, move toward school as your first visit.

Step 4: Check the calendar.

Once you’ve honed in on your first college to visit, figure out what visit day fits into your schedule. Check your calendar and your family members’ calendars too. Remember, mom and dad likely have to drive you to your visit or coordinate flights. You need to plan the visit with your parents, and you might need to make sure your brothers’ and sisters’ schedules are open too. 

How to Set Up a College Visits

First of all, make sure you (the student!) call the schools where you’re interested in setting up a visit.

Your mom or dad should not make the call. It’s time to put some of those adulting skills into practice.

Step 1: Think through what you want to do on your visit. 

Who are the must-see people on your radar—the soccer coach, tutoring center, a financial aid advisor? It’s OK if you’re not sure. You can work through some of these questions when you make your phone call to the admissions office.

Step 2: Call the college or university’s admissions office. 

Don’t set up a visit online. Talk to an actual person.

Or, if you do set up a visit online, call and make sure the admissions office received your scheduled visit—and that it didn’t get lost in cyberspace.

Have a detailed conversation about what you’d like to do when you’re on the visit.

Step 3: Ask for a personal campus visit. 

Try to steer clear of group visit days. 

Naturally, you’re an individual and have specific interests and needs.

When you’re stuck on a group visit, no one student will have the same interests as you. You could get stuck touring the gym for 25 minutes of your hour-long tour (even if you’re not an athlete or hate the thought of a treadmill). Who wants that?

A personal campus visit ensures your visit is all about you and nobody else.

Step 5: Get ready! 

You don’t want to start a college visit without doing some preparation. You want to know as much as possible about the college you’re visiting before you visit. 

Simple. You don’t want to waste time learning stuff you already know. If you already know the basics, like the size of the college, majors available and costs, why spend time relearning stuff you already know? 

Plus, it brings camaraderie with the admission staff or chemistry professors when you say, “Yeah! And that biochemistry secondary major—that sounds cool.”

You’ll never believe how much people’s eyes light up when you know something about the college or university already.

What to Do During/After Visits

When you arrive at the admissions office, go to the campus visit coordinator’s desk and introduce yourself. That individual will help you get your day started in the right direction. 

While you’re on your visit, do your best to ask great questions. You want to think of questions before you visit and ask everyone questions. Get each person talking about the college or university you’re visiting. It’s best to get candid thoughts from each individual you talk to.

This may sound like a pain, but it’s a good idea to get all your thoughts together and take a minute or two to jot down all your initial reactions to the college you’ve just visited. Grab your phone and type in some notes on the card or plane ride home.

Believe it or not, it’s difficult to remember each individual school after your 10th college visit.

Now’s the Time!

Juniors, we’ve offered everything you need to know about how to schedule a college visit .

It’s a matter of sitting down with your family members or other trusted adults, pouring over Niche’s 2021 college rankings and making lists of what matters to you.  

It’s going to be a great time, so have fun with the process. 

Ready to Find Your Niche? Create an Account

Author: Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is the founder of College Money Tips and Money editor at Benzinga. She loves helping families navigate their finances and the college search process. Check out her essential timeline and checklist for the college search!

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While many current college students tout the importance of being able to actually step foot onto the campus you might go to, sometimes the circumstances just do not work out.

At Niche, we know a college is more than its stats or buildings. We also know it can be hard to figure out a college’s vibe or how students feel about it from its website alone. Using our comprehensive college profiles and social media accounts, you can get a sense of what life at a college is really like. Here are three simple ways to do that.

In case you haven’t heard yet, Niche has an amazing new opportunity for high school seniors. Niche Direct Admissions is a program that allows participating colleges to accept students and offer scholarships based on their Niche Profile. That’s right — no application needed.

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Taming The High Cost of College

Late Stage College Planning

College Visits 101: The 5 Types of College Visits

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Brad Baldridge

A leading expert in college funding, Brad Baldridge, CFP®, is the owner of Baldridge College Solutions and chief podcaster and blogger at Taming the High Cost of College.

These days, no one should be choosing a college sight unseen. We all want to find a college where our children can thrive, and college visits are the first step in finding a good fit for the right price.

Since most of us will be visiting colleges in some fashion, it’s important to do it right. Doing college visits well can have an impact on finding a good match for our student, picking the right school, and finding a college that fits into our budget.

In this article, I explain the five types of college visits and how they can help you find the right school, avoid mistakes, and put your student on the path to a bright future.

Understanding the 5 Types of College Visits

First, we need to understand the five types of college visits. These include three main types of visits and two other special types of visits that are very useful if they apply to you.

The main campus visit types are the stealth visit, the open house or college day, and the formal visit. These are the three ways that most families and students will begin their college visit process.

Later, an accepted senior visit may be added to help with finalizing your college choice.

If you have an aspiring athlete, you will follow a different process, and you’ll need to learn how traditional visits and athletic visits work together.

Let’s jump in and find out more about each type of visit, when it applies, what it involves, and its pros and cons.

1. The Stealth Visit

Quick and informal visits without anyone knowing you’re there.

A stealth visit is where you drive onto a campus, walk around, and check out a few old buildings, get back in the car and drive away. No one at the college even knows you were there. Essentially you visit a college campus but don’t arrange anything with the admissions office.

This type of visit is usually quick. It’s best used when you’re early in the college planning process and want to get a quick feel for a given school or let your student get their feet wet.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much time or commitment. You can easily fit a stealth visit into your schedule, and it can be as short or as long as you prefer. It can even be impromptu.

Stealth visits are usually anonymous, so you don’t have to worry about getting on the school’s radar if you prefer not to be contacted or recruited.

The bad news is that a stealth visit is no substitute for a formal visit. A stealth visit might help you eliminate a college quickly, but if you’re still interested in the college afterward, you’ll need to do a formal visit or find another means of connecting with the college.

The anonymity of a stealth visit can also be a negative. You won’t get on the school’s email or mailing list and may miss out on opportunities for the school to pursue and recruit your student. You also won’t get all the information that you receive on a formal visit. You won’t get an official campus tour, and you’ll miss opportunities to talk to faculty and staff.

Colleges often provide additional insight and information to families that are ‘demonstrating interest’ by formally visiting and touring the campus. So you may want to be put on a college’s email or mailing list, or you may want the college know that you took the time to visit.

TIP #1 – Combining a Visit with a Campus Event, Travel or Family Vacation

Sometimes you’ll be on a college campus because you’re attending a special event, or you’ll be nearby because you’re traveling for business, visiting a relative, or you’re on a family vacation.

If you’ll already be in the area, take advantage of the opportunity to add a campus visit. The additional visit can be any one of the three main visit types: 1) stealth; 2) an open house or college day; or 3) a formal visit.

This is a great option to save time and money, especially if you’d otherwise have to travel far from home and incur expenses to make a separate visit.

It’s also an opportunity to get things rolling and start learning about a particular school, even if you can’t fit everything into your visit and need to come back at another time.

2. The Open House or College Day Visit

Half-day or full-day campus events for information gathering.

An open house or college day often takes place on a Saturday or Sunday and is either a half-day or full-day event. Colleges organize these events specifically for prospective students to gather more information. They also use them to start the recruiting process with their future customers (you).

An open house or college day is typically offered many times throughout the year. It might be open to anybody and cover the entire campus, or it could be more selective. It could be targeted to high school juniors or seniors, or it could focus on a particular part of the college, such as the engineering program or school of education.

The good news with open houses or college day visits is that they typically take place on a weekend, so there’s usually no need to take a vacation day or miss school or work to attend.

Many of these events are also designed for students and parents who are just beginning to look at schools, so they’re a good place to start and learn general information as well as get answers to specific questions about a college.

You may want to start your visits at one of these local college days to learn more about the entire college process. It’s an easy way to get started, even at colleges you’re not necessarily interested in at the time.

TIP #2 – Career Days

Sometimes an open house or college day is focused on a particular major or career, such as nursing, engineering, or business. You can take advantage of these career days for a couple of reasons:

1. You’re interested in the particular career or major, but you’re not necessarily interested in that specific college.

2. You’re interested in both the college and the career or field of study.

For example, your student might be interested in nursing or other medical fields but may not be sure what all the options are. A nearby college may be having a Healthcare Majors Day where you can learn about nursing, physical therapy, audiology, nutrition and healthcare administration.

This is a great way to learn more about these careers and majors, even if you’re not interested in the college. If you are  interested, that’s even better.

Many families will then follow up with a formal visit to gather more information and get more time with faculty and staff.

The bad news with open houses or college day visits is that there are often many people attending the event. You will usually have to stand in lines and wait your turn for things.

Also, campus tours during these events may not be as intimate, and they may draw large crowds. With large groups, you may not get many opportunities to ask one-on-one questions or spend a lot of time with a particular campus representative.

Additionally, these special events are not a good representation of what college is like on an average day. To get a sense of that, you may want to make a stealth or formal visit when a big event like this isn’t taking place on campus.

You’ll also need to be available for the specific day and time of the event, so there’s no flexibility. You’ll need to make sure you don’t miss out.

3. The Formal Visit

Personalized tours with one-on-one interactions, by appointment.

A formal visit is the standard that most people have in mind when they think about college visits. You go to campus for a good portion of the day. It’s a more intimate and formal visit with an itinerary that includes a campus tour, a meeting with admissions, and perhaps eating in a dining hall.

Formal visits are generally scheduled by appointment, so colleges know when you’re coming. It might be a half day or full day depending on how much time you have. A lot of colleges have a formal visit process already in place, which you can simply plug into. For example, a college might offer visits at 10:00am on any weekday.

The good news is that a formal visit means you’ll usually get a guided campus tour from a faculty member or student. You’ll also meet with people in the admissions office and have an opportunity to meet with people in financial aid as well.

You may also get a chance to speak with representatives from a particular major or school on campus. You may even get a chance to sit in on a class.

On a formal visit, you can get information more specific to your situation, and you’ll have more of a chance to ask one-on-one questions and get answers. The visit also happens during a normal day on campus, so you’ll get a better sense of what campus life is like.

The bad news is that formal visits usually take place during the week, so you may need to take time away from work or school. They also typically require a full-day commitment to account for the visit plus travel time.

TIP #3 – Customizing Your Visit

Generally, a formal visit is pre-set by the college, but, if you want something special, don’t be afraid to ask. For example, you might be interested in sitting in on a calculus class, meeting with faculty members from the biology department, or visiting the career and placement office. Schools will often work to accommodate your requests, especially if you’re traveling across the country or otherwise need to make the most of a single visit.

Nearly everyone will have to make some formal visits at some point. You may not start the college visit process with them. But you’ll inevitably want to make some formal visits whether you’re narrowing down possibilities in the early stages of college planning or making a final decision after your student has been accepted.

4. The Accepted Senior Visit

A formal or overnight visit to help you with final decision-making.

An accepted senior visit is reserved for high school seniors who’ve already gone through the application process and have been accepted for admission. Many of these students have already visited campus and explored the college’s website. They’re now looking to learn a bit more, experience more things first-hand, and make their final decision.

Colleges use these events as a way to make one more push to recruit your student. They hope that, after this final visit, your student will like what they see and commit to attend the college.

The accepted senior visit is usually a version of the open house or formal visit. It can be a big event on a weekend or an intimate overnight stay for a select group of high school seniors.

The good news is that accepted senior visits are designed to answer a student’s final questions and get a more in-depth view of the school and what it’s like to be on campus. They can be a crucial part of the final decision-making process in deciding where to enroll.

These visits are often useful for high school seniors trying to figure it all out. They’re designed to help undecided students feel more comfortable committing to that college, and they provide a good opportunity to get a lot more detail from a final evaluation of the school.

If it’s an overnight visit, your student can also stay in a dorm, sample the food, and get a more complete sense of the overall student experience. Students will often get excited by their experience during an overnight visit, and it will often close the deal on choosing that school.

However, if you’re still worried that the school might not be the best fit and want your student to keep considering other options, you may want to hold off on an overnight visit until you’re comfortable with the college.

Another challenge is that accepted senior visits often happen at multiple schools on the same weekend, so you may have to choose which events you can realistically attend. If you can’t make a scheduled accepted senior visit, you can still arrange a standard formal visit as a senior, so you can still get a more in-depth look at a college.

TIP #4 – Prepare a List of Questions

No matter what type of visit you’re making, if you’ll have a chance to speak with a campus representative or to current students, prepare a list of questions in advance. Your visit is an opportunity to ask about anything that’s important to you, including academics, academic and social support, extracurriculars and more.

You may also want to ask specific questions if you’ll be meeting with a tour guide, financial aid officer, admissions officer, or professor. To prepare your list, start with my free College Visits Questionnaire and Checklist , which is loaded with hundreds of sample questions, organized by category, for you to consider.

5. The Athletic Visit

Campus visits for recruited student-athletes.

The athletic visit is sometimes an “official visit” which is paid for by a college’s athletic department. An official visit must follow NCAA recruiting rules, but it’s great for families because it may cover the following expenses:

• Your transportation to and from the college (for Division I basketball and FBS football, this may include airfare for up to two people).
• Room and three meals per day while you are visiting.
• Reasonable entertainment expenses, including up to six complimentary admissions to a home athletics contest for Division I, or up to five complimentary admissions to a home athletics contest for Division II.

Your student-athlete may end up staying on campus and may shadow an athlete that is playing the same sport.

However, unless your student is a top athlete, in the right sport, and actively being recruited, you may not get any offers for official visits. In this case, you will need to cover your own costs and make an unofficial visit.

The good news is that athletic visits are an opportunity for student-athletes to learn more about the athletic program, school, academics and campus life.

These visits can also save time since you may not need to make a separate formal or stealth visit. You could also save money if it’s an official athletic visit with travel and lodging costs covered by the school.

The bad news is that there are many NCAA rules governing athletic visits. The visit rules mostly apply to the coaches and programs, but students and families should still be familiar with them.

You can learn more about the rules by visiting ncaa.org to access the NCAA Eligibility Center and the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete.

If you have an aspiring athlete, you need to learn about college athletics and college visits earlier. It’s not unusual for athletic visits to start in the freshman or sophomore year of high school.

TIP #5 – Just Do It!

One of the best ways to learn about college visits is to just go and make a few. A good way to get started is to explore the visit information pages at some of your local colleges’ websites. Do a Google search for “schedule a visit at [school name].” Of course, an old-fashioned phone call to the admissions office will work as well.

Planning Your Visit: Things to Do and Quick Tips/Questions

Now that you’re familiar with the five types of college visits, it’s time to start planning yours. Here are some things to do and quick tips and questions to help you get started:

• Create a visit plan. Everybody needs to create a visit plan. Will it be 2-3 visits or 7-8 visits? Will they be stealth visits or formal visits? Do you want to try to attend open houses? Do you prefer weekends and potentially pursuing other campus activities or overnight visits? As you go through the rest of these tips and questions, develop and document a complete visit plan so you can track what’s going to happen, when, and who will be involved.
• Create a list of questions. Every college visit is a potential opportunity to ask important questions about academics, campus life, extracurriculars, and any topic that might be relevant to your student. You may have a chance to speak with a tour guide, a professor, a financial aid officer, or a current student. To make the most of these opportunities, make sure to prepare a list of questions in advance, so you’ll know what to ask when the time comes. To help you develop your list, you can download my sample questionnaire and checklist, organized by topic or campus representative. Get it now .
• Visit college websites and check out their visit information : maps, registration, appointment scheduling, and tour booking. Does the college offer formal visits, overnight visits, accepted senior visits, open houses, or programs specific to a school or major?
• Call or email the colleges and talk to the admissions office to get more information on the visit process. Describe your situation and ask what they recommend.
• Get on school email lists or follow them on social media . Colleges use these channels to announce upcoming campus days, open houses and other events, and they’re a great way to get the latest news and information about what’s happening on campus.
• If you’re interested in open houses, you’ll need to check school websites or talk to the colleges and learn about the process.
• Open houses may only be announced 8 to 10 weeks in advance, so put them on your calendar or check back every few months to avoid missing opportunities.
• You may want to get on a college’s email list so you can hear about these events as they’re announced.
• Sometimes you can visit a local college to learn more about specific careers and majors, such as visiting a school’s engineering career day, even if you’re not interested in that college.
• Will you be on college campuses for other reasons?   Should you add on a college visit?
• Will you or your student be on vacation near a given school? Will there be business travel that might bring you to the vicinity of the school? Are there any other events that might draw you to the campus area? Should you add on some college visits?
• Identify when your student has days off from school and won’t have other commitments. For example, spring break, teacher conferences, teacher in-service days, etc. Parents should schedule these days off in their work calendars and plan for college visits during these times.
• Learn what else you can do besides visit. Talking with local alumni. Attending college fairs. Virtual tours. Will there be college reps in your area? Will they visit your school? Will there be a rep at a given location in your city, where students from different schools can attend an event and learn more about a school?
• Finalize your plan and start visiting!

Want More Help with College Planning?

Subscribe to my free e-newsletter and get great tips and advice on how to plan and save more money for college, how to reduce your costs, and how to put your student on the path to a bright future.

You can also check some of my other helpful blog articles and resources below.

Helpful Articles and Resources

College visits questionnaire and checklist, 6 ways to pay for college, the 5 types of federal financial aid, saving for college and retirement, 20 core areas of college planning.

32 Questions to Ask on a College Visit

Students should feel free to ask questions during an information session or on tour.

Questions to Ask on a College Visit

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Prospective students should conduct at least basic research to facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour, experts say.

Key Takeaways

• Before a campus visit, students should do basic research on the school.
• Students and their families have various opportunities to ask questions.
• No question is dumb.

College visits, whether in person or virtual, can help give prospective students a better feel of campus life.

Contrary to popular belief, however, students don’t need to have that “a-ha” moment when they eventually find the campus where they belong, says Thyra Briggs, vice president for admission and financial aid at Harvey Mudd College in California.

“I just don't think that happens for most students,” she says. “I don't want students to walk away from a visit where that didn't happen thinking, ‘Oh, this is not the place for me.’ This is a long-term relationship. It's not necessarily love at first sight. … In this age of instant gratification, I think it's an important thing to give a school a chance to affect you in a different way.”

For an in-person visit, families should prepare ahead of time by checking the weather and dressing comfortably as tours are mostly held outside.

"Leave plenty of time at an individual campus and allow yourself to enjoy the experience, be present in the moment and (don't) feel rushed because that could also skew your perception of things," says Bryan Gross, vice president for enrollment management at Hartwick College in New York.

It’s also important, experts say, to conduct at least basic research on the institution – even if it’s just looking at their social media accounts – to help facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour.

"We know that for some of you, this may be the first time you are going through this," Briggs says. "For others, it's a different student (going through the process) than the student you had who's older. So there’s no bad questions. ... I would hope that any college would welcome any question a student would ask.”

Here are 32 example questions, collected from college admissions and enrollment professions, that students don't always think to ask on college visits. These questions – edited for length or clarity – were provided by Briggs, Gross and Brian Lindeman, assistant vice president of admissions and financial aid at Macalester College  in Minnesota.

Questions About Admissions

• Does this school consider demonstrated interest?
• Is there an opportunity for prospective students to sit in on a class to experience a real lecture?
• Are there options to receive a lunch or dinner pass at the dining hall to try the food?

Questions About Academics

• Where do students typically study?
• How does advising work?
• What are the academic strengths of this school?
• What opportunities are there for study abroad and exchange programs?
• If available, are these global programs directly run by this school – where faculty members travel with students – or are these study abroad programs outsourced to a third-party company?
• Are these study abroad experiences built into the tuition or are there additional fees to participate?

Questions About Financial Aid

• What is this school's average financial aid package?
• What is the average net cost when students enroll?
• What is the current level of funding with endowed scholarships – how much are donors contributing to scholarships?
• Do you offer merit aid ? If so, what are you looking for in a candidate?

Questions About Campus Housing and Community

• What are the housing options?
• What are the fee structures for these different options?
• Are students required to live on campus ?
• How does your campus define diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?

Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide to Gauge Campus Life

• What surprised you about this school? What's something you didn't expect?
• What keeps you coming back to this school each year?
• Have we seen your favorite place on campus?
• What event on campus gets the biggest turnout every year?
• If you were struggling with an issue, would you know who to turn to? Who would that be?

Questions About Work and Research Opportunities

• What are the opportunities for undergraduate research on campus?
• How do those research opportunities give students valuable hands-on experiences that enhance their resumes?
• What are some specific ways this school helps students gain hands-on experience through internships ?

Questions About Student and Career Outcomes

• What is the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year?
• What is the five-year graduation rate?
• What is the job-attainment rate of graduates within six months of graduating?
• What percent of students are going on to graduate school ?
• What percent of students are intentionally taking time off post-graduation compared to those who are not able to find jobs?
• What size is the alumni network?
• How are alumni actively engaging with recent graduates to help connect them specifically to opportunities in their fields?

Searching for a college? Get our  complete rankings  of Best Colleges.

Unique College Campus Visits

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Choosing a college is a big deal. It's not just the place where you'll be living for the next four or five years. Your college experience can influence what the rest of your life will be like. For many people, it's where you'll educate yourself, form lifelong friendships, and decide on and make steps toward your career. The course of your life can dramatically differ just by choosing one school over another, so it's not a decision you should take lightly.

With the cost of tuition for four years at a public U.S. university averaging around $30,000, you'll really want to make sure you get the most out of your money [source: CollegeBoard ]. Would you buy a car without first taking it for a test drive? Just like any major purchase, choosing a college is an investment in your future. While you'll most likely apply to more than one school, it helps to know more about the schools you're applying to. That's where college visits come in. Going to see several colleges before you send your applications can help you to make a better, more informed decision, just like buying a car.

You don't have to -- and probably won't be able to -- visit every school you plan on applying to. But even if you can't see all the colleges you're interested in, dropping in on a few is an excellent idea. There's a lot you can learn by making college visits that will (hopefully) make your decision much easier. A school might look good on paper, but how is the food ? Is the campus safe? Do you feel comfortable there? What does the school have to offer you? So many questions can be answered by taking the time to see a school in person.

So what happens when you visit a college? Is there anything you should look for (and look out for)? And how can you plan ahead to make the most out of your time on campus? Find more about sizing up potential schools in the next sections.

Planning a College Visit

How to schedule your college visit, getting prepared for your college visit, what to expect: the formal tour, what to expect: the informal tour.

Timing is key when planning your college visits . Of course you'll want to start looking at colleges sometime before you begin the application process, but how soon? Applications for most schools are due about a year before you would begin classes; you'll want to start visiting schools well before the application deadline, so that you're prepared to decide where to apply. For most high school students, this means starting to look at colleges during your junior year of high school, or even as early as the end of your sophomore year. During your senior year, you'll be knee-deep in the application process, so it's best to plan your visits before then. If you're going to do early decision (applying early and committing to a school), you'll need to begin even sooner.

Another part of timing is knowing when the best times to visit the campus are. If the point of a college visit is seeing if you'd like to go to school there, then you'll want to go when classes are in full swing to get the complete experience. It's important to pick a time when students are on campus, so go during the week when classes are in session. Of course, stopping by during a holiday break isn't a good idea either, because not many students will be on campus.

Other times to avoid include the first day of a new semester (when most classes will just be starting up), the last few days before a holiday break (when classes will likely be slowing down) and during finals (when students will be taking tests instead of attending regular classes). Also, don't go during the midst of a major sporting event, unless you want to encounter crowds, competition for parking and lodging, and the mass chaos that school pride can bring on game days.

The best times to visit are all about the middles -- the middle of the week, the middle of the semester, the middle of the day -- because it's during these times that you'll get a true sense of how the school functions on a day-to-day basis.

Now that you know when to visit, step two is scheduling your trip. What, did you expect you could just show up and walk around? Think again. In the next section, we'll discuss why organizing your time on campus helps you to head off problems, and how to schedule college visits.

Even though most college campuses are open to the public, and you're free to walk around if you wish, it's a good idea to let the school know you'll be coming. Even if the staff can get you on a tour if you show up unannounced, you have a better chance of getting the most out of the trip if you do some planning. By doing so, you can take full advantage of campus tours, department and general information sessions, overnight stays, admissions interviews and any other special opportunities the school has for prospective students. If you don't schedule your visit beforehand, there's no guarantee that someone will be available to answer your questions.

Luckily colleges try to make it very easy for interested students to visit. A good place to start is the school's Web site. Most have a section dedicated to providing information to prospective students, including information on tours. Some schools even allow you to schedule tours online or over the phone . If you live nearby, you might consider arranging it in person, but it's just as easy to do it over the phone. Whatever method you choose, make sure to line up the tour at least two weeks before you visit the campus to be certain you can get into the tours and sessions you want.

If the school you're looking at is far from home, and you plan on doing an interview, then go ahead and sign up for one during the time you'll be visiting. It's OK to have an interview with the school before you've applied. In fact, most interviews take place before the school has received student applications. Try to set up the interview for some point after you take a campus tour, that way you'll be able to ask more informed questions about the school. If you do decide on an interview, set it up at least a month before your visit to make sure you can get a time that works for both you and the person who will interview you.

Plan to spend more than one day at each college you visit, if possible. That way you won't feel rushed to see everything in one day, and you can better account for the unexpected, such as bad weather or missing a planned tour.

Scheduling ahead isn't the only way to prepare for visiting a college. In the next section we'll give you some more ideas for making sure you'll get the most of your visit.

College visits can be time-consuming, so it's wise to narrow down your choices ahead of time to the schools you're most interested in. It's impossible to visit every school, and you don't want to waste your time traveling to a school that you have no real interest in. Doing some legwork in advance can save you both time and money .

Begin by checking out some colleges you're interested in online. It's easy. Browse their Web sites, explore the pages for the different departments and become familiar with their admissions processes. Request an information packet in the mail -- they're free, so order away.

Start asking yourself questions about what you're looking for. Get a feel for whether you prefer a large school or a small school, a school in a rural area or in a city (if you can't decide, plan to visit colleges in different places to see which you like better).

Spend some time thinking about what your deal-makers and deal-breakers are. Is there anything that a school absolutely must have, such as Greek life or a pre-med program? Is there anything you absolutely don't want, such as being too far away from home? You don't have to know the answers to all these questions, but if you can answer a few of them beforehand, it can really help to narrow down your options.

You also should start thinking about the questions you would like to ask during your visit, parts of the campus you would like to see and any special tours or sessions you would like to attend.

If you're planning on doing an interview, make sure you prepare yourself for that as well. Read up on the school and don't ask questions that could be answered on their Web site or in a brochure. Practice articulating your goals and interests. Prepare a list of questions you'd like to ask. Bring appropriate clothes -- you don't necessarily need to wear a suit or a dress, but you should look presentable and be comfortable for your interview.

Now that you're fully prepared, what will it be like to visit a college campus ? What can you expect from tours and interviews? We'll examine the ins and outs of your visit in the next sections.

• Do you prefer a large or small school?
• Do you want to stay close to home or are you interested in colleges farther away?
• What part of the country do you want to live in?
• Do you have a major in mind, and if so what schools offer this major?
• What schools offer financial aid or scholarships?

One of the easiest things to do on a college visit is take a guided tour. Most schools offer both group tours and private tours, and both are excellent ways to start your campus visit .

During the tour, a tour guide -- usually a current student -- takes you on a walk to different places on campus that are important to see, such as the library, some of the class buildings and often a dorm to see what those are like. You'll learn some of the basic information about the school, such as the number of students, the size of the classes and any historical tidbits the guide mentions. Tours usually last a couple of hours.

Tours are a good time to ask questions about the school from someone who's trained to answer them. Don't be shy. If something concerns you, or if there is something you want to know, ask about it. How else will you get the answers you need?

Some schools also offer overnight stays in the dorms or an opportunity to shadow a current student, both of which offer you a feel for the living conditions and what the school is like from a student's perspective. For an overnight stay, you might be paired up with a current college student or another overnight tour-taker.

Colleges may hold departmental information sessions and open houses, too. These events provide an opportunity to get more detailed information about departments you're interested in, including the classes they offer and what their programs are like. You might even have a chance to speak with faculty members and ask more specific questions about the majors and courses you're interested in.

Speaking of asking questions, you may also have lined up that interview we just discussed. Interviews could be with an admissions officer, an alumnus or even a current student.

Another great way to learn about a campus is simply to walk around. In the next section, we'll explain why it's important to take your own, informal tour of the campus.

Some schools offer self-guided tours aided by a brochure, or online virtual tours. While virtual tours can be informative, they only show the things the college wants you to see, and don't allow for questions. But if you can't visit a school in person, a virtual tour is one way to explore the campus.

While formal tours, information sessions and interviews can give you the facts about the school, one of the best ways to get a feel for a campus is to wander around on your own. Pay attention to the people, the places and the things you see and hear. Guided tours are designed to highlight the best parts of the campus , so you really can't get a true read on the campus culture from a tour alone. Are students complaining about professors or classes? Are they talking about fun upcoming events? You can learn a lot just by keeping your eyes and ears open.

Think about what a typical day on the campus would be like and analyze the school from that perspective. Is it easy to walk from building to building? What's the food like? Where might you go to study? To hang out? What is there to do in the area? Is the cost of living high? Would you be able to find a part-time job? Is the line at the advising office long? Of course, academics are the most important consideration, but liking the school you attend can go a long way toward making your time in college successful.

If you can, talk to students about the school. Ask them questions that would give you information you can't find in a brochure, such as what the class workloads are like, what they really appreciate or don't appreciate about the college or what it's like to navigate the various administrative processes.

Lastly, take notes. Snap a few pictures. Bring a notebook and pen with you and write down your impressions of the school -- the good and the bad. Write down any unanswered questions you have. If you don't, it's easy to forget what things you saw where, especially if you're visiting more than one school.

Think of a college visit as a chance to interview each school. You want to know the positives and negatives, and the more information you can gather, the better. For more information on college visits and preparing for college, take a look at the links on the next page.

Should you bring your parents with you when you visit a college? While the answer is ultimately up to you and your parents, bringing someone along with you is a good idea. For one, your parents are as interested in knowing about the school as you are, especially if they're going to be contributing to your college education, and will likely ask some questions you hadn't thought of. Plus, just like a new haircut, a second opinion is always helpful.

Lots More Information

Related howstuffworks articles.

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• How SATs Work
• CollegeBoard. "College Visits." CollegeBoard.com. (Dec. 30, 2009)http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/college-visits/index.html
• CollegeBoard. "2009-2010 College Prices." CollegeBoard.com. (Dec. 31, 2009)http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html
• Diehl, Chris. "Plan Your College Visits." FastWeb.com. (Dec. 28, 2009)http://collegelink.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/104402
• GoCollege. "Making the Most of School Campus Tours." GoCollege.com. (Dec. 29, 2009)http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/college-search/campus-tours/best-tour-strategy.html
• GoCollege. "What Students Should Look for on a Campus Visit." GoCollege.com. (Dec. 29, 2009)http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/college-search/campus-tours/
• Gross, Jennifer. "College Visits: A Planning Checklist." National Association for College Admission Counseling. (Jan. 1, 2010).http://www.nacacnet.org/PUBLICATIONSRESOURCES/STEPS/ARTICLES/Pages/collegevisit.aspx
• Gross, Jennifer. "The College Sleepover: Overnight Visits." National Association for College Admission Counseling. (Jan. 1, 2010)http://www.nacacnet.org/PublicationsResources/steps/Articles/Pages/OvernightVisits.aspx
• Gross, Jennifer. "The Truth About College Interviews." National Association for College Admission Counseling. (Jan. 1, 2010).http://www.nacacnet.org/PublicationsResources/steps/Articles/Pages/CollegeInterviews.aspx
• Kuh, George D. "Tips for Campus Visits: Getting the Most Mileage Out of the College Campus Tour." College Confidential. (Dec. 29, 2009)http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/visits.htm
• Williamson, Anne. "Questions for Your Visit." CollegeView.com (Jan. 4, 2010).http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/application/questions_for_visit.html

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Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an sat or act program, by submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., get the most out of your college visits.

College visits are probably the most fun part of the college application process . When it comes to researching potential schools, there’s no better substitute for figuring out if a campus will feel like home.

If possible, visit every college that you are strongly considering. No website, guidebook, or testimonial will give you a better feel for a school than you'll get by seeing it for yourself. Many students change their minds after a campus visit. This is obviously preferable to changing your mind after you enroll! Get the most out of your time on campus with our college visit checklist:

1. Mind the calendar.

Schedule your visit while school is in session. You won't get a realistic idea of student life in August (or if you attend during a special event like Spring Fling).

2. Meet the experts.

Talk to the current students—they may soon be your peers. If they have a problem or complaint, they will probably share it with you. If they love their school, they won't be shy about it either. Come prepared with some questions to ask—specific ones will get you more interesting (and helpful) answers.

3. Meet the other experts.

Stop by the admissions office and introduce yourself. Let them know what interests you about the school so they can direct you to the best place for further investigation. Collect contact information and send a brief, friendly e-mail thanking them for taking the time to talk to you.

If there is a sign–up sheet, add your name! Colleges do keep track of which applicants have demonstrated genuine interest in the school. A visit is a great way to demonstrate your interest.

Read More: 6 Quick Tips for Contacting Colleges

Some schools will let you interview with an admissions rep during your campus visit. If this opportunity is available, don't pass it up.

4. Take the campus tour…

While it's the most obvious thing to do, the official campus tour is worth your while. (Find out if you need to register to get a spot.) It gives the school a chance to show off its best features, like the newly-built theater or their rooftop planetarium. While you're walking around, check out the flyers and bulletin boards and pick up a school newspaper to get a sense of what's going on.

5. …then venture out on your own.

The official tour will probably steer you clear of the school's less attractive features, like the shoddy dining hall or the tiny gymnasium. Take your own un-official tour by wandering around campus. If there are any facilities that are important to you, find them and have a look for yourself. Make sure your destinations include the library and the first-year dorms .

6. Be a student for a day (or night).

Some schools sponsor overnight programs in which you can stay with a current student. This is a great opportunity to get a deeper sense of campus life and interact with your potential future friends and roommates.

Even if you don't stay over, most schools will allow you to sit in on lectures. Browse the course catalogue before you arrive, or ask the admissions office what classes are in session that day.

Read More: College Search Tool

7. Save the best for last.

You'll get better at visiting colleges with practice. As you compare schools, you pick up on the aspects you like and the aspects you're not so fond of. You also figure out the right questions to ask, as well as the best campus spots to gauge student life. For that reason, visit your favorite schools last, so you'll be in the best position to make comparisons to the others on your list.

8. Keep a record of every college visit.

If you visit many schools, your memories of them are bound to overlap. Use a note-taking or voice-recording app on your phone, or plain old notebook and pen, to keep track of the details you like and the stuff that you don't like. When more questions arise (as they most definitely will), you can fire off an email for an answer rather than visiting a second time.

9. Don't rush to judgment.

Try not to base your opinion of a school on bad weather or one boring class. There are bound to be sunny days and more interesting classes. Same goes for overnight visits—you might end up staying with a student who has very different interests than you do.

At the same time, trust your gut. Sometimes it's love at first sight. Other times, something feels wrong (even if you can't put your finger on it).

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Your Guide to Unofficial Visits

Unofficial visits are a great way for student-athletes to get a feel for different college campuses.

What is an unofficial visit?

Unofficial visits are college visits which are not paid for by the school. These visits are entirely financed by the recruit’s family. Unofficial visits are unlimited, but some rules do apply.

Athletes in most sports and their families are not allowed to arrange unofficial visits with a school’s athletic department (including the coach) until August 1 of the athlete’s junior year.

Families can still go on unofficial visits before August 1 before junior year, but they aren’t allowed to have any recruiting conversations with the coach while on campus. Stay current with the NCAA recruiting calendar .

Insider Tip : Check the school calendar and steer clear of homecoming weekend and other busy dates to avoid paying premium hotel rates.

A key reason to go on unofficial visits is to evaluate if a college is the right fit for you, especially if you’re not yet a junior in high school. Get a campus tour, check out the dorms and get a feel for if you could live there for four years. The best part: Unofficial visits are unlimited and can be taken at any age and at most times throughout the year.

Quick Links

Unofficial visits will be a little different based on your age, desired division level and recruiting journey.

There’s a lot to consider  before you start planning your unofficial visits. How you plan your unofficial visits will be different depending on your goals for the visit, your age and the division level of the school. If you’re visiting DII, DIII and NAIA schools, you won’t be impacted by recent NCAA recruiting rule changes—they are only applicable for DI schools. This means that, no matter your age, you can arrange the unofficial visit with the athletic department or coach, and you can speak with the coach while you’re on campus.

If you’re interested in visiting DI schools, you can’t arrange the visit with the athletic department—or talk about recruiting with the coach while you’re there—until August 1 of your junior year of high school. Men’s hockey can begin scheduling unofficial visits as early as January 1 of sophomore year.

If you’re an upperclassman visiting D1 schools, or a recruit visiting schools at the other division levels, you can use your unofficial visit as a chance to advance your recruiting with the coach at that school. To do so, you need to make sure that the schools you’re visiting offer real recruiting opportunities. Ask yourself each of the following questions before you set up the visit:

• Have you already been communicating with the coach?
• Has the coach approached you or your high school/club coach about setting up an unofficial visit?
• Has the coach reviewed your academic information?
• Has the coach seen your highlight video?
• Have you reviewed the school’s information and determined that it might be the right fit for you?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you’re in a great position. Most importantly, you want to ensure that you have been in communication with the college coach. You don’t want to waste your time visiting a school that may not be a realistic recruiting opportunity for you. To set up your visit, call the coach and let them know you’re interested in seeing the campus. Ask them what dates they would be available to meet you and your family. Some recruits lean heavily on their high school or club coach to help them set up unofficial visits with college coaches.

If you’re an underclassman interested in D1 schools, there are a few different routes you can go. First, you can take unofficial visits to those D1 schools as if you were a regular student. Tour the library and the campus at large. Check out the town. Ask questions, take notes and determine what you like about the campus. This can help you better understand what you’re looking for in a school, so you can refine your target list. Don’t forget to check out some DII, DIII and NAIA schools—you never know what your best fit will be until you explore the different options available!

Insider Tip : There are a few different ways unofficial visits can “pay for themselves.” First, schedule back-to-back visits with schools that are located close to each other. Second, set up visits with schools in cities you’re already visiting. For example, if you have a tournament in the Kansas City area, consider visiting the University of Kansas in Lawrence if you have been in communication with that coach.

Read more: How to Maximize Your Summer Visits

What happens on an unofficial visit

While every school is a little bit different, most coaches will take some time to speak with you and your parents/guardians about the school and their athletic program. Come prepared with questions for the coach and use this opportunity to get them answered. Then, the coach may take you on a tour of the athletic facilities. The rest of the time will be up to you to arrange a tour of the campus and possibly meet with an academic adviser. You and your family may also be invited to attend a home sporting event.

While unofficial visits are a great way to get to know a coach and the athletic program better, they also give you a chance to really experience the college campus. Can you picture yourself living there for four years? Here are a few ways to familiarize yourself with the college campus during your visit:

• Check out the library and sit in on a class.
• Visit the different housing options, both on and off campus.
• Meet your future training staff.
• Eat in the school cafeteria or food court.
• Set up a meeting with an academic adviser.
• Hang out on the campus grounds.

As you’re checking each of these spots off your list, take a couple minutes to write down your thoughts. It might seem trivial in the moment, but as you visit schools throughout the year, they can all start to blend to together. You can always refer to your notes later on when you’re working on narrowing down your target list of schools.

How to schedule unofficial visits

To schedule unofficial visits, you will want to choose which campuses you would like to visit most, pick out free days to make your visits, and then contact coaches directly to schedule your unofficial visits.

Below we expand on our tips for how to schedule unofficial visits with college coaches: 

• Brainstorm which campuses you would like to visit most. Most athletes cannot afford to go on multiple unofficial visits across the country. Therefore, think about 2-3 campuses that you would like to visit that are either within driving distance or a quick flight away. 
• Look at your calendar and pick out some free days. Once you have picked out some free days that you and your guardian(s) are able to go on unofficial visits, try to pair visits together. For example, if you are going to visit the University of San Francisco, then it is also wise to pair that visit with the University of California, Berkeley and see both campuses in one day or in the same weekend. 
• Contact the coaches and schedule unofficial visits. If NCAA rules prohibit coaches from emailing you back or calling you back, then it is time to pick up the phone. Call coaches on the phone and speak to them directly about scheduling an unofficial visit. Remember, if they do not pick up then keep calling back! Notify coaches that you will be near the campus on XYZ dates (the dates you have already picked out) and would like to visit then. Once you have locked down a time to visit one campus, you can move onto the next campus and see if you can schedule two campuses for the same day or for the same weekend. 

Although the recruiting process becomes more serious for juniors and seniors in high school, it is never too early to tour campuses and meet coaches in person.

The more unofficial visits you take, the more likely you will be able to get a sense of the school, team, and coaches. Unofficial visits are a free pass to gain insight into how you feel about coaches and their program as well as how coaches feel about you. View this video to learn more about how to schedule your visits. 

What are the NCAA unofficial visit rules?

According to the NCAA unofficial visit rules, you are allowed to stay on campus with an enrolled student, but there are some specific rules the institution must follow based on its division level. For DI and DII schools, recruits can stay in an enrolled student’s dorm; however, the athlete must pay the regular institutional rate for that lodging. DIII recruits can stay with currently enrolled students in their dorm if that housing option is available to all students who visit the school, athletes and non-athletes alike. DIII schools can also pay for a student-athlete’s housing during an unofficial visit if they provide housing for every prospective student. Your parents/guardians will still need to find their own accommodations.

Questions to ask the coach during your unofficial visit

When you go on your unofficial visit, one of your top priorities should be to ask the coach any questions you have about the school and the program. Before you go, write down your questions and keep adding to the list throughout your visit. When it’s time to talk to the coach, you’ll have your list ready to go, rather than trying to come up with questions on the spot. Here some examples of questions you might want to ask:

• What are the athletic and academic requirements?  You’re probably well-versed in eligibility requirements—if not, read more about  NCAA eligibility requirements . But each coach will have slightly different criteria that they look for in their athletes.
• What kind of academic support does the athletic program offer?  Being a successful student is the most important part of your college career. Make sure that you’ll be set up with the tools you need.
• What commitments do you expect from athletes in the off-season or during holidays?  If going home over the holidays and for summer break is important to you, then you need to know what commitment level is expected during these times.
• What is your coaching and training style?  By this point, you’ve probably played for a few different coaches with various coaching styles. And you probably know what kind of approach works best for you. Remember: The coach has to want you on their team, but you also can choose a team that best fits what you’re looking for.
• Will I be able to meet any current athletes?  It’s important to see the team dynamics, if possible. Do they joke around or are they more serious? Do they hang out on the weekend or do they have separate friend groups?
• What are the training facilities like?  To stay healthy and in shape throughout your tenure as a college athlete, you’ll need access to the right facilities and people.
• What are you looking for in a recruit?  This is your opportunity to find out what spots the coach is trying to fill and ultimately who they want on their team to fill these positions.

What to wear on an unofficial visit

A lot of recruits ask us what to wear, and our best piece of advice is to err on the side of overdressing, rather than underdressing. You want to look neat and clean throughout your entire trip. For men, bring a collared shirt with nice jeans or khakis. For women, skirt, dress, nice slacks or jeans are acceptable. Avoid wearing sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip flops and ripped jeans.

Bring athletic clothes and shoes in case you get invited to work out with the team. For all D1 sports—minus men’s basketball—athletes are not allowed to try out for a team during a visit; however, the team captain can organize a team workout, which recruits can join if the coach is not present. Similarly, at DIII schools, recruits can join in an unofficial team workout. For Division I men’s basketball and all DII sports, recruits can take part in tryouts during visits.

After your unofficial visit: The coach follow-up

When you get home, write the coach a “thank you” note. Tell the coach what you liked about the school and thank them for their time. You can also include a brief list of where you’ll be playing next so they can watch you in person. Not only does this show the coach that you are a thoughtful, courteous athlete, but it will keep you top-of-mind as the coach works on creating their roster.

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What is an Official Visit? 06/21/23

What is an Official Visit? By Prime Scout

Official visits play a crucial role in the college recruitment process, offering prospective student-athletes an opportunity to experience firsthand what a college or university has to offer. In this article, we will delve into the essence of official visits, highlighting their significance and providing key insights for making the most out of these trips.

The Difference between Official and Unofficial Visits

Firstly, it’s important to understand the distinction between official and unofficial visits. While both serve the purpose of exploring prospective educational institutions, official visits differ in terms of certain restrictions and benefits.

Duration and Frequency Restrictions

Unlike unofficial visits, official visits are subject to specific guidelines regarding duration and frequency. The NCAA imposes a limit of five official visits during a student-athlete’s senior year. Furthermore, an official visit can only be taken once per school and must not exceed a maximum duration of 48 hours. It’s worth noting that official visits can commence on the first day of the fall semester at your high school.

Covered Expenses

One of the key advantages of an official visit is that the college or university typically covers a significant portion of your expenses. This includes travel costs, meals, and even entertainment. By alleviating the financial burden, official visits provide student-athletes with an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the campus experience without worrying about the associated costs.

The Role of the Student Host

During your official visit, you will be assigned a “student host” who will serve as your guide and companion throughout your stay. In most cases, the student host is a current student-athlete who may even offer accommodation in their dorm room. This arrangement allows you to interact closely with someone who has firsthand experience of the university and its athletic program.

Additionally, aside from the college or university providing travel expenses, meals, and tickets to sporting events, the student host may also receive funds to ensure your entertainment during the visit. This personalized attention aims to enhance your experience and provide insights into the social aspect of student life at the institution.

Building Connections and Gaining Insight

If you have previously visited the campus unofficially or have already committed to attending the school, the official visit presents an excellent opportunity to forge relationships with your future teammates. It allows you to establish connections and initiate friendships, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the athletic community.

Moreover, the official visit serves as a valuable platform for gaining deeper insights into the expectations and responsibilities associated with being a student-athlete. By observing the daily routine and engaging with current athletes and coaches, you can develop a clearer understanding of the commitment required and the role you will play as a representative of the athletic program.

Making a Lasting Impression

Always keep in mind that your official visit is not only an opportunity to experience the college firsthand but also a chance to leave a lasting impression on the coaches and your potential teammates. Approach your visit with the mindset of building trust and earning respect through your actions and interactions.

Whether it’s your first time setting foot on campus or a subsequent visit, it’s crucial to make the most of your 48 hours. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the program, the institution, and the local community. Prepare a list of relevant questions to ask coaches, athletes, and other individuals you meet along the way. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and help you gather the necessary information to make an informed decision about your college choice.

Remember, your PrimeScout Workbook is a valuable resource to guide you through this process, ensuring you acquire the knowledge you need during your visit .

In conclusion, official visits provide prospective student-athletes with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience of college life , explore athletic programs, and form connections with future teammates. By approaching your official visit with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a commitment to making a positive impression, you can maximize its impact on your college decision-making process.

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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Articles

10 Things You Should Definitely Do on Every College Visit

If you're putting in the effort to visit colleges before applying, make sure you're taking full advantage of it. Here are 10 things to do on campus tours.

by CampusCompare.com College Search Website

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Originally Posted: Dec 31, 2011

Venturing on one college visit after another may seem like a drag now, but campus visits can make all the difference in helping you make the right college choice. So strap on your walking shoes, hit the road, and check these 10 critical campus hotspots off your college visit to-do list.

1. Talk to students

This may be the most important part of your campus visits and an opportunity that too many college-bound students do not take advantage of. If you visit colleges while school is in session, you should make a point to approach a few students—in the cafeteria, at the library, or just while walking around campus—and ask them any questions you have or even just about their general experience at the school. You’ll get much more honest answers than you will from tour guides, and most students will be more than happy to stop and chat for a few minutes.

Related:  How to Overcome Anxiety and Talk to College Students on Campus Tours

2. Browse the bookstore

If you are the first child in your family to attend college, you should prepare to dissociate yourself from your parents upon entering the bookstore. As soon as mom or dad spies a price tag on a textbook, they may react with surprise, anger, disbelief, tears, or any combination of the above. After they’ve calmed down, reassure them that you already set up accounts on  Amazon ,  Textbooks.com , and  Half.com , and convince them that your prudence and frugality should earn you one of those nice college hoodies from the bookstore. Just don’t show them the receipt.

3. Visit the office of your academic department chair

If you have any inkling whatsoever about what your major in college might be, you should try to make an appointment to meet briefly with the department chair during your campus visit. The chairperson will be thrilled to meet a potential major, and you’ll get some valuable insight into the courses you’d take, professors you’d study under, and academic opportunities that your school and potential major will offer. Don’t hesitate to schedule several of these visits, especially if you’re unsure about your potential major.

4. Size up the gym and on-campus athletic facilities

Most colleges offer some sort of athletic facilities. In fact, sometimes those facilities are just as good as, if not better than, professional gyms! So if you’re interested in getting into or staying in shape, make sure your college has a state-of-the-art gym. And if you’re into  college athletics , the school’s on-campus fields and other facilities are also something you should visit. Also remember that games on campus can be a pretty big draw, and even if you’re not a huge sports fan, they double as a popular social event.

Related: The Best Ways to Make Your College Campus Visits More Fun

5. Locate the health center

If you’re lucky, you won’t spend much time in the campus health center. However, should you get sick or injured and are in need of anything from emergency care to DayQuil, it’s always reassuring to know you have access to medical care and technology.

6. Stop by the admission office

While you’re on your campus visit, why not put a face to your application? Make an appointment to meet with an admission counselor so that they can get to know you as more than a list of test scores and activities. This is your chance to show your personality, and you can even use the time to ask any questions you might still have about the school. Just be sure that you’re friendly, polite, and articulate, because a first impression is a lasting one.

7. Survey the classrooms

If you think you can ace college exams without ever going to class, think again. Not only do you need to go to class once in a while to make sure you’re up to speed with what’s going on with tests and homework, but a lot of smaller classes also base some of their grades on participation. Granted, you can miss class once in a while, but don’t forget that attendance is often mandatory. Make sure you like the classroom settings of the colleges you’re visiting. Are the classes big or small? Are classrooms flat or stadium-style? Is the technology adequate, or better yet, very advanced? Will you be a nameless face or someone your teacher will be able to interact with?

Related: Smart Questions to Ask Before, During, and After College Visits

8. Eat at the dining hall

You generally won’t have the time or space to prepare yourself a nice lunch or dinner , so the dining hall will be the simplest and most efficient way to eat on campus. The average college student eats at the cafeteria twice a day; it’s possible you'll go less often, but it’s likely you'll go even more than that, whether for a snack or late-night meal. Check for cleanliness, the variety of quality foods, and accessibility (and, you know, taste!). If the campus is big, it may have multiple dining halls, so make sure you see them all.

9. Drop by the dorms

When you’re not in the classroom or grabbing a bite in the cafeteria, there is a pretty good chance you’ll be in your dorm room. While you’re visiting colleges, ask to see the freshman dorms and upperclassman dorms as well. Freshman dorms will almost always be the least impressive digs on campus, but those double and triple shared rooms are part of the freshman experience! That being said, you want to make sure you’ll be moving on up as you progress in class years. Upperclassmen often have access to suite or apartment-style housing.

10. Hang out on the quad

You can’t make friends holed up in your dorm room. That’s why colleges and universities offer quads and other comparable hangout spots. This could be as simple as a nice lawn to read on or an open area to play football or Frisbee. And rest assured, even urban schools have common campus hangouts! If such an area doesn’t exist—or if it does and there’s nobody there—this might be a college you want to rethink because making friends freshman year could be more difficult. You’ll be surprised how important little things like playing catch with your buddies in between classes will factor into your enjoyment of school.

Related:  Ultimate Campus Visit Checklist: Where to Go and Questions to Ask

Campus visits are a great way to get to know a school better before making the big decision to apply—or the even bigger decision to attend. It gives you a feel for what life will really be like living on campus and if that's the kind of atmosphere for you to thrive in.

You can check out the original article at  CampusCompare.com  or find more advice for school tours in our Campus Visits section. 

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Why Visit Colleges?

A key part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. And a great way to get more information is to visit the colleges in person.

Virtual tours are also a great way to learn more about a campus. It can help you determine whether a college is the right place for you and prepare you for a campus visit at your convenience.

A Firsthand View

Why are college visits important? A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. A college catalog, brochure, or website can only show you so much. To really get a feel for the college , you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms.

Get Answers to Your Questions.

A visit also lets you talk to students, faculty, financial aid staff, and admissions officers. You can get answers to important questions like these:

• What’s the campus meal plan like? How is the food? What are the options?
• What's the social scene like? What kinds of activities are available?
• Is there plenty of dorm space or a housing crunch?
• How many students are commuters? How many are campus residents?
• Is there a health center? What mental health resources are available?
• What career development resources are available? What student employment opportunities are available?

Use this checklist for a campus visit to remind yourself of everything you want to do once you reach your destination.

Your family members can also participate in the visit and any information sessions. They can help you decide which colleges to apply to and which one to attend.

Benefits of a Campus Visit.

Visiting a college is a great starting point. Pick up any official college material you see on the campus tour, such as brochures and financial aid forms.

Don't forget to get business cards, too, so you'll have a real, live contact if you have a question about admissions or financial aid. Do college visits help with admissions? Yes, these visits allow you to speak to the admissions officer handling your application.

Student newspapers and activity calendars give you a sense of what campus life is really like. Check out bulletin boards to see what bands are coming to the campus, what parties are advertised, what internships are posted, and what the day-to-day energy of the place is like.

Get Ready to Decide.

It’s your decision. Heed your intuition. Do you feel comfortable walking around campus? Do you feel at home? Do you click with the students and faculty? Is this what you imagined college to be like? Spending time on campus helps you determine whether a college is a good fit.

Adapted from  Campus Visits and College Interviews  by Zola Dincin Schneider. 

Event: For Parents: How to Plan a College Visit

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10 Tips for When a College Visits Your High School

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It’s not an uncommon occurrence for college reps to tour the country, visiting high schools along their way. The function of these visits is multifaceted. In part, the visits serve to spread interest in their schools by educating students about the many programs and activities available there. In addition, the visits serve as an initial point of contact between students and colleges, allowing students to express their interest in a school and to establish a contact at the school itself.

If you are interested in a college that is visiting your high school, meeting with the college rep is highly advisable. This will allow you the chance to meet face-to-face with the rep and ask specific questions while also providing you the chance to let the college know that you’re interested in attending.

It’s also an opportunity to make contact with a person who may be evaluating your application in the future, since in many cases, the reps who visit are actually admissions officers from the college. Sometimes, you might even be able to get an early read on your transcripts, test scores, and course selections to help assess your fit at a particular college and to help figure out what you can do during the remaining months to improve your chances of getting in.

To learn more about making the most of your opportunity when a college visits your high school, check out our 10 top tips.

1. Do Your Research

Before the visit, you should research the school enough to know specifically why you’re interested in it, what programs and activities are offered, and which activities might be of interest to you. Basically, you should have a good idea of why you want to attend the school in the first place, so that your interest in the school is authentic during the visit and so that you can elaborate on it as needed. This is something that you can’t really fake, so be sure to read through the website beforehand to make sure you’re ready to discuss your genuine interest in the school.

2. Ask Your Guidance Counselor About Bringing Transcripts or Applications

Sometimes, a college rep will take the time to review your transcript or application during a high school visit, but this isn’t always the case. This service is more commonly offered by larger state schools, and since you don’t want to appear presumptuous, it’s always best to clarify in advance if it will be available. If your guidance counselor isn’t sure, you might try phoning or emailing the college admissions office ahead of time to ask if the rep is willing to review applications during his or her visit.

3. Dress for Success

While this isn’t a formal interview, you should still dress up enough to show that you respect the time and effort of the college rep who is visiting. A full suit isn’t necessary, but ripped jeans and a dirty t-shirt are definitely not acceptable. Find a happy medium with some nice slacks or skirt and a collared shirt or polished blouse. Your attire should reflect your maturity and your serious approach to college admissions.

4. Show Up Early

This is kind of a fine line, because you don’t want to show up too early and seem like you were either confused about the time or are expecting to have a private conversation with the rep before the meeting begins. It’s best to show up just slightly early, meaning about five to ten minutes. This way, you demonstrate your eagerness to hear what the rep has to say, you ensure that you get a seat that’s front and center, and you might have the opportunity to exchange a few words with the rep before the presentation begins.

Keep in mind, though, that the rep will likely be busy preparing and organizing, so it’s possible that any conversation could be a distraction. Try to get a read on the situation by observing before you initiate any discussion. If it seems like the rep is scurrying around in a rush to get ready, it’s an even better idea to offer assistance.

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5. Ask Authentic Questions

Sometimes, students arrive at information sessions with premeditated questions whose only purpose is to impress or show what they already know. This is a tired and thinly veiled approach, and it’s one that the admissions reps are all too familiar with already. Instead of trying to ask impressive questions, try to ask authentic questions. Think about which programs and activities are of interest to you and come up with a few questions that will lend insight into them.

Some options might include:

• Are there different admissions requirements for different departments or majors?
• What choices do freshmen have in class selection?
• What are the opportunities for internships, research, and employment on campus?

6. Leave a Paper Trail

One of the reasons that reps visit schools in the first place is to identify ahead of time any students who are particularly interested in the school. If this is you, make sure that you leave a record of your attendance. Usually there will be a sign-in sheet or the rep will distribute information cards for you to fill out. It’s important that you don’t overlook this easy step, since not attending an information session held at your own high school will make it look like you aren’t actually interested in the school. Do your part by filling in your information legibly and completely.

7. Be Confident

Even if you’re feeling shy or uncomfortable, it’s important to communicate that you’re a capable and confident applicant. A strong handshake, good eye contact, timely arrival, and steady voice can go a long way. If you’re nervous, try practicing in front of the mirror or with a friend. These are skills you’ll need outside of college visits too, so this is a great time to work on them and gain some practice.

8. Turn Off Your Cell Phone

This should go without saying, but imagine the embarrassment of your Drake or Taylor Swift ring tone blaring unexpectedly during an admissions meeting. Do yourself and your classmates a favor by turning off your phone entirely before the information session. You can definitely do without it for an hour, and if there’s an emergency, you can be certain that someone will contact the school if they can’t get through to your phone.

9. Be Attentive

Sometimes students get so nervous about these meetings that they have trouble focusing during them. You might be so busy rehearsing your carefully worded question repeatedly in your head that you miss important information or the answer to another interesting question. Try to stay focused on the present so that you’re actively engaged and prepared to change your line of questioning as the discussion dictates.

10. Write a Thank-You Note

After the meeting, be sure to ask the rep for a business card or email address. Then, follow up with a thank-you note that specifically mentions a few things you found particularly interesting or insightful from the discussion. This serves as part of the paper trail that establishes your interest in the school and demonstrates your maturity, while also helping to keep communication open with the rep should you have any other questions that arise.

Meeting with a college rep on your high school campus is an exciting yet sometimes nerve-wracking experience. For many students, it might be the first time that you’ve met with a college admissions rep, so it’s natural that the experience might feel a little awkward or uncomfortable at first. Follow our tips above to keep a level head and come out on top.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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Miami Dolphins

Tua tagovailoa suffers another concussion. here's what we know and what happens next, the dolphins quarterback suffered his third concussion over the span of two years, by tim reynolds | the associated press • published september 13, 2024 • updated on september 13, 2024 at 2:34 pm.

Tua Tagovailoa is now dealing with the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last three seasons.

And there are now questions about his future — both short-term and long-term.

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The Miami Dolphins quarterback was hurt in his team’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, sustaining the injury on a play where he collided into Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa, who was rushing successfully for a first down, initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding as many quarterbacks do on a scramble.

Players from both teams immediately began gesturing that Tagovailoa needed medical attention as he lay on the turf and exhibited some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline after the play in the third quarter.

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He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room. The Dolphins needed only a few minutes to announce that he would not return to the game.

What do we know about Tagovailoa’s concussion?

All anyone really could say with certainty late Thursday and early Friday was that he was concussed. The process of the Dolphins evaluating his condition began in earnest on Friday and there is no timetable for how long that will take.

He has been placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol and will have to successfully complete a series of tests and assessments before he or the Dolphins can even think of him returning to the field.

“Each player and each concussion is unique,” the NFL says in the introduction to the protocol rules. “Therefore, there is no set timeframe for return to participation or for the progression through the steps of the graduated exertion program set forth below. Recovery time will vary from player to player.”

Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa suffers concussion in collision with Damar Hamlin

Winners, losers as Bills rout Dolphins 31-10 on Thursday Night Football

What is tagovailoa’s injury history.

He was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022, as well as one when he played at Alabama.

There have been many other issues, including some in college that were serious. At Alabama, he had a procedure for a high ankle sprain in October 2019, which caused him to miss one game. A month later, Tagovailoa dislocated his right hip against Mississippi State, which prematurely ended his college career.

In his pro career, Tagovailoa has dealt with rib fractures, a thumb injury and a fractured middle finger on his throwing hand, along with the concussions.

In April 2023, he revealed that he discussed with his family whether it was wise to continue playing after the two concussions in the 2022 season.

What are players saying about Tagovailoa?

There are a mix of reactions, as would be expected, though many former players who have since become analysts are suggesting that he take a hard look at his long-term health and ask if it’s wise to continue playing football.

Former linebacker Manti Te’o, who has known Tagovailoa for years and calls him his “little brother,” said he hoped to see him leave the game after the concussion at Cincinnati in 2022. He said he’s thinking of his parents, what they had to have gone through on Thursday night, as well as Tagovailoa’s long-term ability to parent his own children.

“After he suffered the one against the Bengals, I wanted him to walk,” Te’o said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Friday, appearing to choke back tears after he said that. “What people have to understand is this is just a game. And then there’s life.”

Added former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III , on social media: “Think of the person not just the player,” a sentiment shared by countless others.

And former receiver Dez Bryant was even more direct, saying it’s time for the league to intervene.

“That’s it…. NFL go ahead and do the right thing,” Bryant posted. “Tua has had entirely way too many concussions … He need to retire for his longevity health concerns.”

Have players retired because of concussions?

It has happened on a handful of known occasions, with players at varying stages of their career when they made the decision to walk away.

— Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is perhaps the most prominent example. He was 28 when he retired at the peak of his game, a perennial All-Pro but one who had three concussions in the span of three seasons. Among those concussions: one in a game in 2016 when he cried on the field. He has since been an advocate for awareness and safety.

— Frank Wycheck, the Tennessee Titans star who famously threw the lateral in the “Music City Miracle” play, left the game after 11 seasons citing the “lingering effects” of the “physical stuff,” including two concussions in the 2003 season. He retired after that season, said in a television interview in 2017 that he was certain he had CTE, and died last December after a fall at his home.

— Jordan Reed was 30 when he retired in 2021 after seven seasons as a tight end for Washington and San Francisco , citing concussions. He said doctors advised him continuing to play would not be wise.

— Kylie Fitts was 27 when he retired in 2022. The former Arizona linebacker said at the time “due to too many concussions … it is no longer safe for me to continue to play.”

— Chris Borland was only 24 when he retired after just one season in the NFL, citing concerns about head trauma.

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'Every bit an NFL punter' — Baylor's Williams is an athlete who just happens to kick

From the baylor vs. air force preview series.

• Sep 13, 2024

We're joined by Darby Brown of KWTX-TV in Waco (@DarbyJoBrown), along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears return home this week. | Music: https://purple-planet.com/

Palmer Williams will never look at a Razor RipStik the same way.

The summer before he was set to start playing football as a seventh grader in North Carolina, he was riding the flexible skateboard-like gadget down a hill when he fell and broke his arm and had to get a cast that went past his elbow.

“When I came out for football, the only thing I could do was kick,” Williams said.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Utah cornerback Nick Howe (left) nearly blocks a punt by Baylor punter Palmer Williams last Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Williams was one of the top punters in the country coming out of high school and immediately established himself as Baylor’s starting punter last season when he averaged more than 43 yards per kick last year.

He had his best game in a Baylor uniform last week in Salt Lake City, turning in the best punting performance in school history.

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Williams boomed six total punts, all of which went more than 50 yards with two downed inside the 20-yard line.

He set a career-best four separate times, punting for distances of 57, 60, 76, and finally 79 yards. It was the first time a Baylor punter had bombed a punt more than 70 yards since Drew Galitz in 2017.

His average of 62.7 yards per punt was the best in a single game in Baylor history.

Williams said he’s been building to a performance like that since March, and he was extra fired up after his first punt of the season against Tarleton State netted 37 yards.

“It was one of those days where I was kind of just in the zone,” Williams said. “I’ve had a good couple of weeks. I think it was just a matter of time before I had a day like that. I think it was more important that I was turning the balls over.”

Through two games, his 57.9-yards per punt average is the best in the nation by more than seven yards per kick.

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is not surprised.

He said Williams is consistent with his long kicks in practice, and for him to step up in a pressure moment like he faced in the Utah game is something the rest of the team should take heed of.

“For me, we always stand behind him whenever he punts, and I have to run the full distance because he flips the field every time,” Aranda said. “Everyone expects that, and he expects that of himself most importantly.”

Building a boomer

It takes a very specific mindset to be a college football specialist.

“If you’re just a kicker, you’re not gonna be very good, you (have to be) a football player that kicks,” Williams said. “I think you have to be an athlete. I like to say I’m an athlete that kicks, that’s super important.”

When he walked into Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, he couldn’t help but notice the fans. It’s not just road games, when he sees McLane Stadium before a game, the emotion of college football nearly brings him to tears.

But when he’s the one holding the ball and an entire defense is rushing at him, everything goes silent.

“It’s just me and the football,” Williams said.

The Baylor Bears get a rematch with Air Force, who they faced in 2022 in a freezing Armed Forces Bowl affair in Fort Worth. win. Is there anything the Bears need to watch out for here with the the wing-T Falcons? | SUBSCRIBE to One True Podcast at https://shows.acast.com/one-true-podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Williams grew up with two older brothers, a pair of ACC shot putters, who would routinely bring their little brother along when they went to work out.

That helped Williams establish a routine at Baylor that consists of a light workout on Monday that builds throughout the week until the heaviest day on Thursday, which consists of lots of punting and a heavy leg day in the weight room.

If Williams is a finely-tuned sports car, Dan Orner is the mechanic.

Orner, a former kicker at North Carolina, has been coaching kickers and punters for nearly 20 years. He currently works with 65 active players at the college level and 10 specialists in the NFL.

Williams has been working with Orner since he was in eighth grade and still spends plenty of time with him during the offseason and bye weeks with the Bears.

“Palmer told me whenever an NFL guy is coming home to punt, he wants to be with them (because) he wants to know what they know and how they handle themselves and what makes them great,” Orner said. “He started to become a student of the game.”

Williams has since trained alongside Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion and former Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos punter Trenton Gill in any weather condition as he continues to get ready for the next level.

Orner said Williams can already hang with the NFL guys with his distance, the next step is working on increasing the hang time and getting that ratio right.

The fifth round of the NFL Draft is the ceiling for punters eyeing the next level, and Williams has all the making of meeting that benchmark.

“He is every bit of an NFL punter,” Orner said. “I want him to be around guys like that. The other benefit is seeing how they handle themselves on a good kick and a bad kick. You can’t be a pro with an amateur mindset, and that’s something he’s worked on.”

Daniel Sepulveda played for Baylor from 2003-06 and is currently the all-time leader in career punts (277), yards in a season (3,750), career yards (12,531), career yards per punt (45.24), career 50-plus-yard punts (94) among many others.

Williams has a few more years with the Bears until he fully turns his attention to the NFL, and said he wants to take down a few more school records in that span.

Perhaps no position on a football team gets less glory less often than the punter.

It’s a role Williams is more than happy to fill.

“The quarterback gets a lot of the credit, but everybody plays a role,” Williams said. “I’m not one of those guys running around telling everybody to look at me and how great I am. I think doing my job and helping the team out is all I need.”

WATCH: Obviously there's no shame in losing at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but this still felt like a step back for the Bears. What were the biggest areas of concern at Utah? | SUBSCRIBE to One True Podcast at https://shows.acast.com/one-true-podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this Series

Baylor vs. air force preview, quarterback sawyer robertson embraces his moment as baylor runs past air force, washington, the pride of franklin, breaks out in first baylor start, brice cherry: beating opponents will start being easier for baylor when it stops beating itself.

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