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5 Ways to Make College Tours Fun Instead of Grueling

By Elaine Glusac

• Sept. 22, 2016

At Amherst College in Amherst, Mass., my family, including our son, prospective applicant Seth, enjoyed the natural history museum and spied on swim team practice. At Colby College in Waterville, Me., we appreciated the colonial architecture and the modern art collection. At the University of Chicago, we loved the Hogwarts-like reading room and the pierogi truck.

So it goes with college campus visits, a mix of research and entertainment through which high schoolers shop for their academic future.

As college applications have grown — up 6 percent in fall 2015 over the prior year, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling — so have campus visits. Boston University had nearly 80,000 visitors in the last year, up from about 65,000 in 2011. The University of California, Berkeley, reported a 14 percent increase in visitors in the last year. This year, the Ohio Independent College Visit Days program grew 30 percent.

“If you have the time and the money, I think a campus visit is a good idea,” said Lynn O’Shaughnessy, a higher education consultant who writes the College Solution Blog . “You get a sense of the school, and you can meet people and ask them some questions.”

Fall is largely celebrated as college football season, but for high school upperclassmen and their families, it’s also college touring season. Or one of them. Over the last 18 months, we’ve embraced the school circuit as our travel theme, making campus calls over weekend getaways and even longer trips. Here are a few ways to make your college research a vacation, too.

1. Use your vacation budget.

Depending on how far you range from home, college visits are expensive. We’ve done road trips and plane trips, and booked cheaper chain hotels like the Hampton Inn in Rome, N.Y., and splurges including the Hotel Vermont in Burlington. We’ve saved money using home rentals and by dining where students have recommended, including Den Den Café Asiana near Brown University in Providence, R.I.

By any measure, we’ve invested in travel while visiting colleges, and, given the expense, it is useful to look at the trips, at least in part, as vacations. We used our vacation budget, building college visits into leisure trips (for example, we paired Cape Cod and Brown) and spending long winter weekends in Boston, a hub for regional schools, where we also sought out the trendy new Tiger Mama restaurant from the chef Tiffani Faison and took a historic walking tour. Though we sacrificed that year’s ski trip, we still managed to throw snowballs in Boston Common after our Tufts University tour.

2. Make a two-year plan.

Polled by admissions officers on our college tours, the majority of the other students visiting college campuses, we learned, have been juniors and seniors, with a few sophomores sheepishly raising their hands. But sophomore year, especially late in the year, isn’t too early. We started touring schools when our son was 15.

“You have to gauge a little by your own child,” said Janice Caine, the owner of Custom College Visits , an agency that organizes campus tours for families. “You don’t necessarily want to pressure them, but I think it’s a good time if you have a school that is local to go see them and get an idea of what it’s like to be on a college campus and what kinds of questions people are asking.”

Some start with spring break trips. High season for college visits follows, during summer vacation. But campuses then are relatively empty (as we found at Middlebury College in Vermont in August), an argument for visits between September and May.

One potential academic benefit to starting college research early in a child’s high school career is motivation. “Sometimes colleges get them very excited,” Ms. Caine said. “So excited they may work harder when they see what it takes.”

3. Don’t cram.

As with academics, so with college visits: For best results, don’t cram.

Most visits begin with a 60- to 90-minute information session led by an admissions officer. It is invariably chock-full of facts, figures and tips, requiring full concentration. Following that is the relatively breezy campus tour, usually led by a current student adept at walking backward while pointing out the library, cafeterias, dorms and some version of the campus icon that gets painted as a student prank.

Morning sessions usually end by lunch, making a second afternoon tour possible in places with many schools. But we’ve found a decompression talk over a substantial sandwich (reason to visit the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor: Zingerman’s Delicatessen ) is our digestive limit.

“Beyond one a day, it becomes overload,” Ms. Caine said. One school, she said, means that you can take your time watching life on campus “or go through the student union and read the bulletin boards.”

4. Go off the campus tour itinerary.

Think of the campus tour as your skeletal overview. Then go back and fill in the details, for both education and amusement.

“We encourage students to spend free time in the bookstore or walk around and strike up conversations with people in the cafeteria to see if it’s a place you feel comfortable,” said Robert Rummerfield, the founder and director of College Visits , an agency that runs group college tours.

Campuses are often the cultural focus of college towns, with worthwhile attractions including the music conservatory at Oberlin College in Ohio and the art and natural history museums at Yale. St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Davidson College in North Carolina are among the many that have hiking trails. And college towns tend to attract independent shops and eclectic restaurants, where we have happily frittered away many a post-tour hour.

“There are things worth exploring other than academics,” Ms. Caine said. “We remind students that they are only in class a certain number of hours per week, and other times you will want to know what’s going on.”

5. Consider the journey, whatever the destination.

Hard as we’ve tried to vet our destinations with the help of the “ Fiske Guide to Colleges ,” we’ve picked a few duds. Aiming for diversity, we’ve visited schools that are large, small, rural, urban, public and private. Some are wrong for unexpected reasons (I heard “too preppy” a lot). But we’ve never regretted the bad pick. Sometimes it helps refine your selection criteria. All the time, it’s fun.

As with any family trip, it’s not where you go, but whom you’re with. College trips offer concentrated time with your child, when available time is increasingly rare. On college tours, we’ve discussed everything from campus drinking and the merits of core curriculums to the best road-trip playlists and the preponderance of cute mascots at liberal arts schools (looking at your polar bear, Bowdoin College).

Judith Weinstein, a mother of three in Chicago, took her daughter, now a college senior in California, on a memorable mid-Atlantic trip several years ago. “She played D.J. with her iPhone and I can still sing some of the songs from that trip,” she said. “When we got to Dulles Airport and she turned to me and pronounced, ‘This was a good trip,’ I knew she wasn’t talking about the schools. She was talking about the bonding experience.”

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A Snob’s Guide to College Tours

Turns out you have been doing them wrong. T&C meets with the travel consigliere who organizes college tours for the one percent.

Here’s a universal truth. No one enjoys doing college tours . Not the kids who have to spend spring break being shuttled from one indistinguishable campus to the next with barely enough time to really get a feel for the school. And certainly not Mom and Dad, who are doing the shuttling, not to mention dealing with the logistical nightmare of hitting up several colleges in seven days. What if there was a better way?

There is—for a price. “There is no reason that college tours have to be the most miserable experience, where you do one after the other and it’s town after town and you’re exhausted and you have listened to every undergraduate tell you what their favorite dining hall is,” says Kim-Marie Galloway, a vacation consigliere for the one percent at luxury travel agency Embark Beyond, who also happens to be the #IYKYK guru for college-focused itineraries that don’t inspire fear, loathing, and dread. She has quietly been offering this service for years—so quietly, in fact, that even her own clients are surprised to learn this is something they can ask for. “Oftentimes it’s me saying, ‘Hey, so-and-so is going to be a rising junior, let's talk about this.’ Or if they are going to be in New York anyway, I might suggest they at least drive the kids by NYU, or maybe there is a show they can see on campus,” she says. “And a lot of times they’re like, ‘You could do this for me? I didn’t think of that.’ ”

Just as with her clients’ European summer grand tours and winters on Big Island , Galloway handles every last detail, from procuring the private campus tour guide, to sourcing tickets to football games and performances, to organizing informational meetings with professors, while also ensuring the family is eating, shopping, sightseeing, and sleeping in all the right 5-star places. “People who travel at this level, they’re always traveling,” she says, “so it’s about fitting the campus tours into the places they’re already going—and into something else that is enjoyable.” For example, she recently planned a Miami trip for a family that tallied up to around $40,000. What did that buy? Suites at the Faena, brunch at the Surf Club, shopping appointments for Mom at Chanel and Dior. The purpose of the trip, though, was for the kid to see the University of Miami, which the family did for an afternoon, followed by dinner at the Versace mansion. “I want people to realize that this can be fun,” Galloway says.

But for that to be the case, there are a few guidelines to follow, regardless of how much you’re spending. Rule #1: Pick the right time to go. Spoiler alert: it’s not going to be during spring break. “It's about getting to the school while it’s in session and feeling the vibe,” Galloway says. “How you get a feel for the college is to be there when it’s at its best. Go during a football game or when there is a performance. Go at a beautiful time—and when there are actual kids on campus.” Rule #2: It’s okay to skip the public tours. The idea that participating in these increases your chances of getting in is a myth, confirmed by several admissions officers Galloway has consulted. “If you’re on campus for 3 hours, you will have no feel for it at all,” she says. “You need to have enough time to see the school in action.” And check school websites to get a sense of what events and other resources are available. Rule #3: Don’t cluster colleges geographically. There is no need to visit a college just because it’s within a 50-mile radius of another. Instead, organize tours based on your kid’s passion. “Look within the circle of schools that specialize in what your child is interested in,” she says.

In that spirit, T&C asked Galloway to design a Snob's Guide to College Tours, first grouped by specific interests, and then by geographical region . A sampling of itineraries is below. Note that every aspect of the trip is fully planned, and includes personalized campus activities, suite accommodations, ground transportation, and even university merch. To customize and book one of these (or design your own), contact Kim-Marie Galloway ([email protected]).

Performing Arts

The Northeast

Destination: New York Schools: Juilliard , NYU , Pace

Have a kid with Broadway dreams ? Galloway can get you backstage for a private meet and greet with the cast of any show at the top of your list. After afternoons touring the Juilliard School, NYU, and Pace University, the trifecta of New York’s top schools for performing arts (you will be chauffeured around Manhattan in a luxury SUV), you can luxuriate in the quiet, zen confines of the Aman , where you will not only have keys to a two-bedroom suite, but also have access to the amenities in the members-only Aman Club. Tickets to two Broadway shows are included, as are restaurant reservations you would otherwise only be able to score on Dorsia .

From $75,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

The Midwest

Destination: Ann Arbor, Michigan School: University of Michigan

Any wannabe thespian should have the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance on her list. While a self-guided tour of campus is an option, a scheduled tour is highly recommended, especially since there is not much else to do in Ann Arbor. The school has an extensive list of performances that Galloway will help narrow down so you can plan your visit around the shows put on by the arts groups your kid is most interested in joining. A luxury car rental is included, as is a private home that will be fully stocked with groceries and champagne. You will also be armed with plenty of Wolverine swag, as well as a list of campus superstitions (like don’t step on the “M” as you’re walking through the Diag on campus—you might fail your first exam).

From $15,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

Destinations: Orange County & Los Angeles, California Schools: USC & Chapman Of course anyone who wants to be in film or TV needs to be see Southern California. But you won’t stay in L.A. this trip. Skip the mayhem of LAX and fly into John Wayne, where a driver will pick you up and deposit you at the Montage Laguna Beach , your home for three nights (in one of the recently built villas). Surf lessons—and massages after—are included, but pace yourself. You’re here to see Chapman University, in the nearby city of Orange, an erstwhile second-rate school that is on the rise lately , especially among Hollywood dreamers, who come for the Dodge College of Film and Media's top majors: Screen Acting and Filmmaking. Then it’s off to the University of Southern California, still the holy grail of film schools . It’s about an hour north (on a good day) but not to worry—dealing with the 405 isn’t your problem, it’s your chauffeur’s. Which also means you can hang around after for dinner in Beverly Hills , or come back to the Montage in time to catch that glorious West Coast sunset.

From $50,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

International

Destination: London Schools: London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) & Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)

London has two of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world. There is the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, alma mater of Donald Sutherland, Rita Wilson, and Benedict Cumberbatch, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the oldest drama school in England, which counts Ralph Fiennes and Anthony Hopkins among its alums. A private VIP guide will be waiting at Heathrow to zip you through immigration and into a Range Rover to drop you off at Claridge’s (the Royal Suite, stocked with an original Gilbert and Sullivan grand piano, is yours). As in New York, pick any show you want to see on the West End and she’ll get you backstage access, too.

From $95,000 3 people, 3 nights.

Related: A Perfect Day in London’s West End

Tech & Entrepreneurship

Destinations : Austin & College Station Schools: UT Austin & Texas A&M University

“The corridor between College Station and Austin is on its way to becoming the new Silicon Valley,” Galloway says. Home base will be in Austin, specifically in a suite with a balcony (and views of Lady Bird Lake) at the Austin Proper Hotel in the hip Second Street district. As for the culturally immersive activities to accompany your visit to the University of Texas at Austin, you might catch a good band playing at the Moody Theater , definitely have BBQ at Stubb's , get the full Texan live music and dancing experience at Broken Spoke , and take the obligatory Instagram shot under the retro neon sign at the Austin Motel . Speaking of which, the newish Hermès is right across the street. A chauffeured car will be at your disposal, too, to drive you to College Station, 2 hours away, for your day trip at Texas A&M.

From $28,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

Destinations: Stanford & Beverly Hills Schools: Stanford & USC

The venture capital firms behind some of the biggest tech companies in the world are all clustered on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, which is conveniently where you will stay (in a luxury suite at the Rosewood Sand Hill ) while you tour Stanford. Fully adopt the tech bro life by taking the Lucid house car to campus and stopping for coffee at Coupa (#IYKYK). After two nights here, it’s onto a small PJ for the short flight from San Jose to LAX. Need to trade in your Silicon Valley wardrobe for something more RHOBH? Galloway will book an appointment with the Saks Fifth Avenue Club—they will bring options straight to your two-bedroom suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel . A BMW convertible will also be delivered to your hotel, so you can take it to sightsee—and visit USC. Stay for the weekend so you can catch a football game on Saturday. Dinner at Craig’s after .

From $40,000 for 3 people, 5 nights (2 in Stanford, 3 in Beverly Hills).

Massachusetts

Destinations: Boston & Wellesley Schools: MIT and Babson College

The best time to visit Boston is in early spring, says Galloway, so you can get a taste of those infamous northeast winters (and be prepared), but not have to be subjected to total blizzard conditions. Home will be the Newbury , in a suite with a working fireplace and views overlooking Boston Public Garden. The property’s cozy library, reserved for hotel guests only, will put you in a collegial mood —and set a nice scene to review all your notes. The Newbury is also home to Contessa , one of the hardest restaurants to get into at the moment (but not for you, of course). A driver is also included, and he will take you to visit Babson in the town of Wellesley, which is just 30 minutes outside the city.

From $25,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

Pennsylvania

Destination: Philadelphia School: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Soaring high above the Philadelphia skyline, the Four Seasons occupies the top 12 floors of the Comcast building, the city's tallest tower. All rooms, including your Skyline Corner suite, have floor-to-ceiling windows, so it will really feel like you’re sleeping in the clouds. Which is certainly not a bad headspace to be in before your tour of Wharton’s campus (driver included), after which you can reward yourself with a facial (also included) at the hotel’s 57th floor spa. For culture, head to the Barnes Foundation across the street, home to the most Renoirs outside of Paris, where you’ll be set up with a private tour. Reservations to follow at Parc , the beloved restaurant owned by Philadelphia culinary legend, Stephen Starr.

From $15,000 for 3 people, 2 nights.

Destinations: Nashville, Tennessee & Durham, North Carolina Schools: Vanderbilt & Duke

First stop: Nashville to tour Vanderbilt, one of the most coveted schools in the country right now. Check into the Hermitage , where Mom and Dad will take the lavish Parlor suite, and the aspiring Commodore will notice his adjoining room has been filled with Vandy gear. “It's not bad luck if it’s a gift,” says Galloway, who will make sure the girls’ merch is monogrammed. “It is the South after all.” A campus visit will be followed by a Friday night show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry . The next morning it’s a quick private jet trip to Durham, where your afternoon will be spent strolling around Duke’s beautiful campus —and the must-see Sarah Duke gardens—before Saturday night’s big Duke basketball game. You’ll stay at the 21c Museum Hotel , which, true to its name, is part art museum that features a rotating collection of contemporary works.

From $35,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

Destination: Chicago Schools: University of Chicago & Northwestern

You can visit Chicago during its best season (summer) while still getting the most out of its colleges. The University of Chicago, in particular, has a full calendar of Summer Welcome Days, making it easy to join a scheduled tour while the weather is amazing. Home will be the ultra-luxe Astor Suite at the St. Regis , with its stunning views, while your transportation will be a personal Rolls-Royce convertible to drive to and around each campus. A dinner at one of the city’s three-Michelin-starred restaurants— Smyth or Alinea —is included, as are three tickets to a Cubs game at Wrigley stadium. Don’t worry, parking for the Rolls will also be taken care of.

From $40,000 for 3 people, 3 nights.

Related: A Snob's Guide to Chicago

Destinations: Princeton, New Jersey & New York Schools: Princeton & NYU (Stern)

Future business majors definitely need to visit Princeton, but you don’t have to stay in New Jersey. Settle into one of Manhattan's many sumptuous establishments, whether it’s the Aman , a luxe oasis in the middle of the city, or an Upper East Side grande dame, like the Carlyle or the Mark . First, you’ll explore NYU’s campus, otherwise known as Washington Square Park. (Note: don’t walk under the arch. According to superstition you won’t graduate in four years if you do.) Afterwards, it’s a spa break before a limo takes you to the helipad on East 34th for the quick Blade* ride down to Princeton, where a chauffeur awaits to take you around the picturesque Ivy League campus. You’ll be back just in time to see the Broadway show of your choice that night.

*Additional $10,000 to upgrade to a Sikorsky, Logan Roy style .

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country , where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.

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21 Places Worth Seeing on College Tours

Explore campus facilities and fixtures after you've gone on the official college tour.

Getty Images

It's critical for college applicants with clear academic interests to explore the building that houses their intended major.

If you're a soon-to-be college student, exploring a college campus in person can help you determine if a school is the right fit.

College admissions consultants, high school counselors, undergraduate admissions officers and parents of college-bound students recommend taking a school's official guided tour to see the institution's selling points.

Once the official presentation is over, it's important to take a self-guided tour, where you check out places that your guide didn't show you and encounter people you otherwise would not have met.

Here are 21 places on a college campus that applicants should consider exploring:

• Facilities associated with your desired major
• Places where students pursue hobbies
• A student union or student center
• A college dining hall
• Religious and cultural institutions
• The career center
• Fraternity and sorority houses
• The neighborhood, town or city surrounding the campus
• Unique parts of the campus
• Bulletin boards across the college campus
• Lecture halls and classrooms
• Student health facilities, including counseling centers
• Collaborative workspaces and hubs for hands-on learning
• Campus or municipal police department
• Stadiums and gyms
• Student housing options
• College offices that provide logistical assistance
• Outdoor spaces
• Transportation amenities
• School-affiliated publishers and bookstores

Facilities Associated With Your Desired Major

Martyne Lo Russo, a parent whose son earned a bachelor's degree in sports management from St. John's University in New York City, says that when her son was a college applicant, he looked for a school with a strong sports management program. So, when he toured St. John's as a prospective student, he visited its sports management department and met with the dean. Lo Russo advises college hopefuls to visit undergraduate academic departments for the college majors they are interested in.

Meaghan Arena, a higher education administrator who has held leadership roles at multiple schools, also says it's critical for college applicants with clear academic interests to explore the building that houses their intended major.

"Having a feel for the place you'll spend most of your time can help you know if you see yourself there over the next four years," Arena wrote in an email. "It can also help you to understand the average size of classes in your major and the availability of technology in the classrooms and labs."

Many experts advise science-oriented college hopefuls to visit a school's science research laboratories to learn about ongoing research at the school.

Places Where Students Pursue Hobbies

Amber Jin, founder of Get Into Ivy, a company that sells digital courses on how to apply to college, says applicants should visit the places on campus where they would spend the bulk of their leisure time if they were admitted. For instance, someone passionate about theater should visit a college's performing arts facilities, she says.

Meg Caddeau, a college admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm and a former associate dean at Princeton University and Amherst College , says it's important for college hopefuls to see the places on a college campus where students relax and have fun, including lounge areas and music practice rooms.

Experts note that some schools have impressive museums and art galleries, which if present, are worth visiting. Spaces connected to labor-intensive student organizations, such as campus newspapers, are also potentially interesting, experts say.

A Student Union or Student Center

"So much learning happens outside of the walls of the classroom," Deborah Cohan, a sociology professor at the University of South Carolina—Beaufort , wrote in an email. "The student center might be referred to as the living room of the campus. Once at these centers, students can see the sort of programming that is offered and the sort of public figures invited to campus."

A College Dining Hall

Michelle Mullooly, director of admissions at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, says college applicants should be sure to eat a meal at a campus dining hall.

"College dining halls are where students relax, recharge and socialize," Mullooly wrote via email.

Religious and Cultural Institutions

Jin says college applicants who have a strong religious, racial or ethnic identity can benefit from visiting places on campus that cater to people with a shared background. For instance, a college applicant who is an ethnic minority might want to visit a minority student association, and a religiously affiliated college applicant might want to visit a student group connected to his or her faith.

Josef Blumenfeld, a Boston-based parent, says that during his daughters' college tours, his family made a point of stopping at the campus Hillel either in-person or virtually to inquire about how hospitable a college was for Jewish people like themselves.

"Interestingly, Hillel as an organization stepped up to provide much more information about campus security and anti-Semitism," Blumenfeld wrote in an email.

Black students may want to make a pit stop at a school's Black Student Union, experts say. Kat Gill, whose biracial daughter graduated from Harvard University in 2020, noted that her daughter made sure to stop by locations where Black students congregated on school campuses during her college search, and she also struck up conversations with Black students at the colleges she was considering.

Gill suggests that LGBTQ students take a similar approach to gauge whether a school's culture is tolerant and friendly.

Minority college applicants can get valuable information from current students in their minority group, Gill says. "It gives you a good idea of how things are on campus."

The Career Center

Joe Orsolini, president of College Aid Planners, a company that helps families save and pay for college, says a college tour is not complete without a visit to the career center.

"It may not be the 'sexy' part of the college tour, but it is important to see what companies are interviewing on campus," Orsolini wrote in an email. "This will give you an indication of your prospects for who is hiring that school's graduates."

How to Find the Right College Tour Group

Delece Smith-Barrow Nov. 2, 2017

Fraternity and Sorority Houses

Experts say that if a college has an active Greek scene and numerous sororities and fraternities, it would be a mistake to not visit a fraternity or sorority house.

"Walk or drive by the frats and sororities to see what they look like," Caddeau suggests. "Do a bit of online investigating as well. Stats on the percentage of undergrads who are involved in Greek life should be available. If Greek life dominates the social scene, it could be helpful to ask about alternatives to Greek life social events."

The Neighborhood, Town or City Surrounding the Campus

Brooke Fincke, director of college counseling at Chapel Hill—Chauncy Hall, a private school in Massachusetts, says college students generally take occasional trips off campus. A comprehensive college tour should include sightseeing in the communities around campus, she says.

Pierre Huguet, CEO of the H&C Education consulting firm, suggests that prospective undergraduates think about whether they'd prefer to attend an urban school .

"If the activities that give meaning to your life are hiking, canoeing, and fishing, you probably won’t want to go to college in an urban setting," he explained in an email. "On the other hand, if you’re all about visiting museums and writing a food blog, a school in New York or Chicago may be perfect for you."

Experts on college affordability also say that seeing the community around a college and the prices charged at local restaurants and stores can give college hopefuls a sense of how high living expenses would be at that particular college.

Unique Parts of the Campus

A college or university may have multiple statues or plaques that commemorate important events in the school's history, or it may have particularly noteworthy architecture. Experts say prospective students should try to see the most iconic and unusual features of a college campus, since those details can provide clues about the student experience.

Bulletin Boards Across the Campus

Fincke advises college applicants to read the bulletin board flyers posted on a college campus, since these flyers can indicate how vibrant student life is on the campus. She suggests that college applicants take photos of these bulletin boards to help them remember all the activities and clubs that were mentioned on them.

Christine Chu, a college admissions counselor at IvyWise and a former assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Yale University and Georgetown University , says prospective students can benefit from attending college events.

Lecture Halls and Classrooms

Experts say college applicants should ask to observe an undergraduate course in a subject of interest during their college tours. It's important for college applicants to gauge whether a college's teaching style matches their learning style.

"For students visiting campuses during the academic year, I would strongly encourage them to sit in on a lecture as well as a seminar if possible," Chu wrote in an email. "Listening in on classroom discussions can illuminate the intellectual vitality of a school and the student body."

"More than a home to book stacks and special collections, which alone reveal so much about the life of the mind of a university, libraries can be mini hubs," Chu explains. "Students gather around conference tables to collaborate on projects or study together, and the coffee spot is often filled with students catching up with friends. And sometimes, being ensconced in a well-loved leather armchair in a quiet nook simply embodies one of the quintessential moments of being a college student."

Student Health Facilities, Including Counseling Centers

Experts note that it is common for college students to experience mental health challenges. Access to therapy is essential, especially for students who have been diagnosed with a chronic mental illness like bipolar disorder.

The quality of the student health center is worth investigating, according to college experts. "It’s important to see the health center and understand the university’s approach to health care and what services are provided," Kerr Ramsay III, who has a doctorate in higher education leadership and serves as senior vice president for undergraduate admission at High Point University in North Carolina, wrote in an email.

Collaborative Workspaces and Hubs for Hands-On Learning

Ramsay recommends going to spots where students brainstorm with one another. " Ask to see spaces that support your desire to work in teams and complete projects together outside of class," he suggests.

Another type of location worth checking out is a space where students get to apply the lessons they learned in class, he says, noting that his school offers a production studio and a trading room with a live stock ticker.

Campus or Municipal Police Department

Prospective college students who are worried about security can stop by the campus police headquarters or the local police agency to ask about crime in the area and inquire about safety measures, according to experts.

Stadiums and Gyms

Chu notes that because college and university sports events bring so many people associated with a school to a single spot, visiting a stadium at one of those times is ideal, since "you can literally feel the school spirit pulsating through the stands."

Laurie Kopp Weingarten, president of One-Stop College Counseling in New Jersey, recommends visiting workout spaces, since staying in shape is a high priority for many potential college students.

Student Housing Options

"I would advise prospective students to visit the dormitories because these are important to campus life," Janet Ruth Heller, a former university faculty member who taught at multiple academic institutions, wrote in an email. "Are the rooms well equipped? How is the wi-fi? Does the room have air conditioning? Are there elevators for multi-story dormitories? Do students need to bring their own rugs, sheets, blankets, extra lights, etc.?"

Experts suggest touring off-campus apartments where the cost is less than the expense of a dorm room, or for situations where access to school-controlled housing isn't guaranteed for all four years of college.

College Offices That Provide Logistical Assistance

Shymika Stephenson-Davison, owner and lead consultant at the PreCollege Solutions consulting firm, says students who need financial aid should visit the financial aid office. Many colleges have support services that cater to both low-income and first-generation college students and that also assist students with disabilities, so students who could benefit from such assistance should be sure to stop by that office, Stephenson-Davison suggests.

James Lewis, president of the National Society of High School Scholars, encourages potential undergrads to visit a college's academic resource center, if it has one. In an email, he advised seeking answers to the following questions: “Do they have tutoring, and if so, what subjects? Is it face-to-face or virtual? By appointment only? Can you get one-on-one support for math, science, writing or any specific class you take?"

Outdoor Spaces

Alex Chip, founder of Top Score Education tutoring and test prep company, commented in an email that “having the escape and stress release of a beautiful garden or an invigorating hiking trail can offer a welcome respite from the pressures of the university experience.”

A college's outdoor amenities are particularly significant nowadays due to the coronavirus pandemic, says Patricia Roberts, chief operating officer of GiftofCollege.com, a company that helps people contribute to the college funds of their loved ones.

"Given the recent history with Covid and the need to pivot to outdoor spaces for socially-distant informal socializing or organized events, I strongly suggest prospective students ask about and examine dedicated outdoor spaces that can be utilized by students during all seasons," she wrote in an email. "This would give prospective students a sense of available options should indoor gatherings be subject to restriction again in the future."

Transportation Amenities

Allen Koh, founder and CEO of Cardinal Education consulting firm, notes that the availability of parking spots, trains and buses on campus is critical information to consider. "This will definitely help you choose in terms of how easy your commute will be from your home, apartment, or even within the city," he says.

School-Affiliated Publishers and Bookstores

"You may observe the level of importance the college places on knowledge production by looking at its press or publishing house," Koh says. "If there is one, try checking the university bookstore and look at the titles being released, especially in your own field. How advanced and productive they are in your chosen field will give you an idea of the kind of instruction you will receive from the school."

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14 Tips for an Effective College Visit

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Want to know what life’s really like at your dream school? Chat up the real experts on campus—the students.

When you tour colleges, make sure you talk with as many current students as you can. Ask them what they love and what bothers them most about their schools. This list of potential questions will help you spark some conversations with students on all your college visits , so you can find the school that fits you best.

Why did you choose this school?

Are you happy here?

What are your school's strengths?

What’s your #1 complaint about your school?

What else could stand to be improved?

How accessible are administrators, registrars, financial aid officers, etc.?

What majors are popular?

What departments or programs have the best reputations?

What’s your favorite class?

Are your professors good teachers?

Do your professors hold office hours, and will they meet with you outside of class?

Are most of your classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?

Were you able to take most of your first-choice classes?

Are your classes lecture-based or discussion-based?

How much reading and writing is required in your courses?

How often are collaborative work or group presentations required?

How satisfied are you with academic advising?

Do students use any on-campus tutoring programs or writing centers?

How big are your classes?

Does your major require an independent study or capstone project ?

Are professors available for research with students?

Is it popular to study abroad ?

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Campus Life

What's it like to be a first-year student here?

What's a typical day like?

How much time do students spend studying per week?

What do you do when you're not in class?

What do you do on the weekends?

What is the social scene like?

What kinds of things are there to do in your school's hometown?

How’s the food ?

Do most students live on-campus?

How are the dorms ?

Which clubs and student organizations are popular?

Do lots of students belong to fraternities or sororities?

What's your favorite place on campus?

Where do you like to study?

What are the facilities like (science labs, libraries , theatres, gyms, etc.)?

Are there enough computer labs?

How is the WiFi on campus?

Is it easy to get around campus?

Are sports popular?

Is there a lot of school spirit?

Read More: Search for Colleges

Student Body

How would you describe your fellow students?

Are the students here friendly?

What makes the student body unique?

Is there diversity on campus?

Are there many students from other countries?

Do students of different races and classes interact easily?

Are students cliquish?

Career Services

Are internships available? How do you find them?

Is Career Services helpful?

Do you have a mentor?

Does your school have a co-op program ?

Are there opportunities to build leadership skills on campus?

What options exist for service learning in the community?

Do employers recruit students on campus?

How easy is it to find summer jobs and other kinds of work through your school?

Who are some of the notable graduates from your college?

How visible is your school's alumni association on campus?

What kinds of hands-on or practical experiences have you had in and outside of the classroom?

You can find academic information, campus life stats, and more—including quotes from real students—in our college profiles . Search for a school on your list, or check out our Best Colleges rankings.

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118 Great Questions to Ask on a College Tour

Touring your prospective colleges is a great opportunity to learn from the people who study, work, and teach on campus. By keeping your eyes and ears open, you can gain a strong sense of a school and its culture, far beyond the facts and figures on its website.

To make the most of your visits, you should prepare thoughtful questions to ask on a college tour. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive college visit checklist of questions for your tour guide, current students, admissions officers, financial aid officers, and professors. Plus, we'll offer some advice on what not to ask.

Before breaking out the list of college tour questions, let's review the point of campus visits in the first place.

Why Are College Tours Important?

If you have the means and time to do so, you should definitely take advantage of campus tours. They're an invaluable opportunity to explore your prospective college campuses , as well as their surrounding areas, in person.

You can check out the school's facilities, like the library, dorms, dining halls, gym, and science labs, as well as branch out to see its surrounding city or, if you're aiming for rural , dairy farms. Gathering your impressions of your college's campus and beyond will help you gain a much stronger sense of whether or not it's a place you'd like to live and learn for four years.

If you have an amazing visit, then you might feel that much more empowered to put together a stellar application . If not, then you might save an application fee and cross that school off your list.

Besides sampling the dining food or hanging out on the quad, you can also learn a lot about the student experience from your tour guide, usually a current student, and other students that you meet. You might arrange to stay overnight in a dorm or set up meetings to speak with admissions officers, financial aid officers, and/or professors.

All of these people can offer their unique perspectives and experiences, especially if you ask meaningful college tour questions that lead to broader conversations. As everyone reading this will have different goals, keep in mind that you should pick and choose based on your specific interests. If a question asks about popular classes in general, for instance, you can adapt it to ask specifically about popular classes in, say, the Biology Department.

Besides customizing to your interests, you also would be well served to prepare different questions for different people. This first group of good questions to ask on a college tour would be best suited to your tour guide or other current students of the college.

Find out what students have to say about their college experience.

Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide or Other Current Students

Most college tour guides are big fans of their colleges and are enthusiastic to share why. They tend to know lots of history and fun facts about the school, but you shouldn't necessarily expect them to rattle off specific data and statistics about graduation rates and financial aid packages (save those kinds of questions for administrative officers).

Apart from knowing a lot about the college, tour guides are usually current students, so they can also speak to their personal experience. Remember, they were in your shoes just a few years before!

Let's consider what questions would be appropriate for tour guides, divided up by academics, support resources, internships , study abroad programs, extracurriculars, residential life, and general culture. Finally, we'll suggest some personal questions for your tour guide. As you read, consider which questions you'd like answered, and how you might customize them to meet your specific interests and needs!

• Are some majors or departments considered stronger or more popular than others?
• How large are the classes?
• Are the classes more lecture-based or discussion-based?
• Would you describe any classes as especially innovative or project-based?
• How many of the classes are taught by a professor, and how many are taught by a teaching assistant?
• Are the professors accessible outside of class?
• What kind of classes have smaller section meetings? What are they like?
• Are there any especially popular classes or must-have professors?
• How much freedom do freshmen have in choosing courses?
• Are students usually able to take their first choice courses?
• How's the Wi-Fi?
• How are freshman advisors assigned?
• Is it easy to change your major?
• How would you describe the freshman experience, in terms of advising or any classes that everyone has to take?
• Do the professors hold office hours? How often can students interact with professors outside of class?
• Can undergraduates work with professors on research?
• Are there honors programs or capstone classes? If so, what are they like?
• How many hours of class do students typically have each week? How much homework outside of class?
• Are finals more exam-based or project / essay-based?
• Where are the best places to study on campus?
• What are the hours for the library? Do these change during reading periods or exam weeks?
• Are there any research methods or databases I should learn about for my classes?
• Do any majors require seniors to write a thesis or complete a senior project?

As mentioned above, you might alter some of these questions to refer to a specific major or class. An intro science lecture, for instance, might contain hundreds of students, while a literature class could be discussion-based and limited to twelve students. Keep this in mind as you check out the rest of the questions on this college visit checklist.

Like the fearless owner of this rainbow Beetle, don't be afraid to customize your college visit questions.

Academic and Social-Emotional Support

• Can you get help from professors outside of the classroom?
• Is there free academic support or tutoring? Is it effective?
• What kind of resources are there for international student support and orientation?
• What kind of learning disability resources does the school offer?
• Is there a writing center to help with essays and research papers?
• Are academic advisers accessible and effective?
• Do the librarians help with research?
• Do students organize study groups or online discussion forums?
• Are there computer labs?
• How accessible and helpful is health services?
• Do students or administrators organize conversations for students to talk about their feelings on important issues and events?
• Are there social orientation programs for freshmen? Are they enjoyable?
• Is there career counseling? Is it helpful?

Research, Internship, and Study Abroad Opportunities

• What kind of opportunities exist for undergraduates to work on research or academic projects with professors?
• What kind of internships are available? Do a lot of students get internships?
• Are any departments known for their contribution to research?
• Do any majors prepare students to continue as researchers in a Master's or doctoral program?
• Are study abroad programs popular? Any ones in particular?
• Do most students study abroad on a program through the school or an external program?
• Do students of certain majors, like engineers, find it difficult to study abroad?
• Are there internship opportunities abroad?
• Are there opportunities through the school for summer internships or research?

Extracurriculars

• What are some of the most popular extracurriculars and why?
• What clubs or other opportunities exist for community service?
• Do sports play a large role on campus? What divisions are the sports teams ? What about intramurals or exercise classes?
• Can you talk about the fill-in-the-blank club? (Examples might include the student newspaper, student magazine, international relations clubs, art groups, science clubs, musical performances, plays, bands, ensembles...whatever you're interested in!)
• In what ways do students connect with and volunteer in the surrounding community ?

How many students do they really squeeze into those dorm rooms?/em>

Residence Life

• What are the dorms like? Are there lounges, laundry, and kitchens? Shared or private restrooms?
• Do certain dorms appeal to students with different interests, like a "healthy living" dorm?
• Do most students live in the dorms? What about after sophomore or junior year? If they move off campus, do they live in apartments or shared houses?
• Are any students placed in triples?
• How are the resident counselors? Do they plan social events for freshmen to get to know one another?
• Do most students get along with their randomly assigned roommates?
• What would I do in case of a conflict or need for a room switch? Is that possible?
• What kind of food does the dining hall serve? Are there different options? How is it, really?
• Does the dining hall accommodate special dietary restrictions?
• Are there any aspiring chefs on campus who host occasional exclusive gourmet pop-up dinners? (This question may be exclusive to this kid and this kid . So cool!)

Campus Culture and Surrounding Area

• Where do students tend to hang out on and off campus?
• Are there movie theaters and concert venues? What about good cafes for getting work done or finding the perfect pumpkin spice latte?
• How would you describe the presence of Greek life ? Do a lot of students belong to fraternities or sororities?
• How ethnically diverse is the campus?
• How many international students are there? What countries do they come from?
• Do students stick around or go home on weekends?
• What's the party scene like? (This might be a question to ask current students away from the group tour.)
• Have there been any recent student protests? What were they protesting, and how did staff and faculty respond?
• What are some big campus events, like homecoming or alumni weekend?
• Is it easy to get around campus or get off campus without a car?
• What transportation options are there around campus?
• Is it a safe area to walk around at night? What kind of safety measures are in place?
• Do many students work on or off campus? How easy is it to find a part-time job?

You don't want to put your tour guide too much on the spot, but you should feel free to ask about her experience at college!

Personal Questions

As mentioned above, tour guides are typically current students who went through the same college application process just a few years earlier! Most tour guides are also, presumably, happy about their choice to attend. I wouldn't recommend prying into their high school grades and test scores, but there are other personal questions that are fair game, like the following:

• What's your favorite class and why?
• What's it like to study in your major?
• How helpful did you find your freshman year advisor?
• What do you wish you had known going into freshman year?
• What do you wish you had asked on a campus tour when you were in my place?
• What's a typical weekday like for you?
• What surprised you about campus life here?
• Is there anything you wish you had done differently to improve your experience here?
• Are there any things you'd like to change about the school?
• What would be your most important advice for freshman?
• What's your favorite spot you've discovered on campus since arriving?

Your tour guide, along with any other current students you meet, is a great resource for honest, firsthand feedback about the student experience. As students, they're likely to have similar experiences and concerns as you, and they can give you a sense of what's in store if you're accepted and decide to enroll in the college.

For more technical information on admissions policies and financial aid offers, you might set up meetings with the relevant offices. Read on for questions to ask the administrative staff.

Boldly go where no college student really has to go again once she's accepted.

Questions to Ask an Admissions Officer

Making contact with the admissions office can not only get your questions answered. It can also get your "demonstrated interest" on file, which may help when it comes time to review your application. Rather than appearing as an anonymous applicant, admissions officers may recognize you from a meeting, email, or other records of contact. Not all schools keep track of this, but for some, establishing some kind of relationship may help show your enthusiasm for the school and thereby give you a bit of an edge.

If you want to meet with an admissions officer, make sure to set up a meeting via email or calling beforehand. If it's application season, usually March and April, try to schedule this a few weeks early to make sure they're not too busy to meet with prospective students. Then have your list of questions ready to show that you prepared and are ready to make the most of your conversation. Here are a few questions you might ask.

• What's unique about this college?
• What leads most students to choose this college?
• What qualities and experiences are you looking for in applicants?
• Can you tell me more about the application evaluation process ?
• How large of a role do SAT scores play in admissions?
• Do you have any advice for applicants? Does this differ for early versus regular decision applications?
• What percentage of students graduate in four years?
• What are the college's most important values, and how does it demonstrate this to students?
• What sort of student would succeed here?
• What sort of student might not be happy here?
• Can you tell me about career placements or grad school acceptances for graduates?
• How do you help students prepare for post-grad employment?
• Do you have an active alumni network?

Just as the admissions office will have lots of facts and advice about the admissions process, the financial aid office can walk you through your financial application. The next section covers questions you might have for them.

All of these are good topics to discuss with a financial aid officer.

Questions to Ask a Financial Aid Officer

Most schools offer a good deal of information about the cost of tuition, room and board, books, and other fees online, as well as the steps to take to apply for financial aid. If financial aid's an important factor for you, it could be helpful to meet with an officer and make sure you're doing everything you can to get your financial needs met.

I would suggest researching the school's financial aid website first, so you're not asking about info that's readily available online. Then you can use that base knowledge as a stepping off point for other queries, like the ones below:

• What kind of need-based financial aid do you offer?
• Do you meet 100% of demonstrated financial need ?
• What information do you require besides the FAFSA ?
• How many students receive merit-based scholarships? How much is offered?
• Are there other scholarships that students can apply for at the time of application?
• How much do students typically owe after graduating?
• Can I renegotiate my offer if it's lower than I expected?
• What are some opportunities for work-study ?

The financial aid office is the best place for any and all your money-related questions. If you get the chance to meet with a professor , then you can shift back into academic mode.

Tell me, Professor McGonagall, how serious are you about deadlines?

Questions to Ask a Professor

Finally, meeting with a professor could be a great way to make contact and learn about a department and class, especially if you have a strong sense of what you want to study . You can learn about her teaching style, the department's approach, and any opportunities for independent projects or research.

• What are your expectations for students in your class?
• How can students succeed in your class?
• What are typical requirements, like exams, papers, or presentations in a semester?
• What kind of materials would I use in your class?
• What skills or knowledge would you consider to be prerequisites?
• Do you offer any opportunities for students to do research?
• What other opportunities are available outside of the classroom to reinforce my learning, like cultural clubs or festivals?
• How often do you meet with or mentor students outside of class?
• What are the strengths of your program? Department?
• What's the community of students who major in this program like? Do they act as peer mentors, collaborate on projects, or form study groups?
• What could I do to prepare for further research at the graduate level?
• Would I be required or able to write a senior thesis or do a capstone project?
• How much flexibility would I have in shaping my major or taking an interdisciplinary approach?

As you can see, there's a wide range of questions you could prepare to ask tour guides, admissions officers, financial aid officers, and professors. In addition to knowing what to ask, it can also be useful to know what not to ask. Are there any questions you shouldn't ask on your campus tours?

This question, for example, would be less than ideal.

Questions to Avoid on College Visits

I know, I know, they say there are no dumb questions—but there may be some worth keeping to yourself on your college visits. For instance, I mentioned above that it would probably be inappropriate to ask your tour guide to recite her high school resume to see how your grades, scores, and involvements stack up. While she can talk about her experiences applying and attending, asking for specific info like that would probably cross the line from curious to prying.

You should also avoid asking questions that are overly personal and not helpful to others in the group when you're on your tours. For example, I wouldn't advise sharing your life story and then asking your tour guide (or a professor, for that matter) to speculate about your admissions chances. She probably can't speak to highly specific concerns, and your fellow tour group members won't find it helpful either. If your question feels like it's too personal for a group setting, then cross it off your list.

A final good rule of thumb to follow is to avoid asking basic questions that can be easily answered via Google or a quick search of the school's website. For instance, questions like the following fall into that category:

• Do you have a psychology major?
• When was the school founded?
• How many students are in the freshman class?
• What was last year's rate of acceptance?

Based on these guidelines and suggestions, you probably have a sense of the kind of questions to ask on a college tour that will help you make the most of your campus visits. Most are prompts that may open into a more in-depth discussion. That being said, how can you use these questions to prepare for your college tours?

Start gathering your tastiest college tour questions.

How to Prepare for Your College Tours

Your first step is scheduling and signing up online for your college tours, as well as any other meetings or overnight stays. The best time to tour is when classes are in session so you can get the truest sense of the college in action.

Since you should prepare questions and take notes on the answers, I recommend writing them down and bringing a notebook (paper or electronic) to take notes. You'll be getting a lot of information, along with walking around and seeing everything, so it will be useful to have a record to which you can refer at the end of the day.

You certainly don't need to go overboard with the college tour questions. I would suggest preparing five to ten of your most important questions for each person (student, admissions officer, professor, etc). You may find you should choose about three during your tour, while you may be able to ask a lot more during a one on one conversation or meeting. Better to over-prepare than under-prepare, and you could list your highest priority questions at the top to make sure you get to them first.

In addition to asking questions and jotting down notes on the responses, you should take the time to observe everything going on around you. Beyond viewing the facilities, try to notice how the staff responds to you or how students interact with one another. Perhaps most importantly, is it a place where you'd feel comfortable?

Finally, spend some time writing and reflecting after your visit. Does the school seem like a good fit with your personality, interests, and goals? Do you feel excited about the prospect of attending? At the end of the day, you must save the final questions for yourself.

What's Next?

Are you in the midst of researching colleges and narrowing down your college list? This guide has some seriously helpful suggestions for figuring out what you want and choosing the colleges that best match your goals.

Once you've found some exciting schools, head on over here to learn when to apply. This comprehensive guide goes over the various application deadlines you need to know, along with some examples of regular and early deadlines for popular schools.

Finally, check out this guide on all the steps to apply to college , starting with choosing the best high school classes as early as freshman year and finishing with submitting your college apps!

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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• College Search
• College Admissions
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• College Life

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.

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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Articles

The Best Ways to Make Your College Campus Visits More Fun

Are all those campus visits tiring you out? Here are a few ways to make them a little more entertaining...including a rousing game of Campus Visit Bingo!

by Kara E. Joyce and Matt Bradshaw

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Originally Posted: Mar 27, 2019

  Written by Kara E. Joyce; artwork by Matt Bradshaw of Gerbil With a Jetpack

It’s no secret that campus visits are essential to finding your Cinderella-shoe college or university—the one that fits you perfectly. They give you a chance to meet faculty, interact with current students, explore the area, maybe attend some campus events or classes, and discover whether you’re comfortable there. But after a few open houses and campus tours, you might feel the process becomes a bit tired. Your prospective colleges and universities become a blur of vibrant colors, overzealous mascots, and “one-of-a-kind” programs. You might even start the process tired: just imagining wandering around a new place laden with brochures and information can be exhausting. But you won’t get as much out of your college visits if you’re bored and tired. That’s why we’ve come up with some ways to make those campus visits more fun!

Have a scavenger hunt

College campuses tend to have a lot of the same buildings and amenities. Every campus has at least one dining hall and a library, not to mention residence halls, the student union, and the admission office. So why not make a scavenger hunt to ease onto the campus and have some fun during your visit? You can also get together with some friends before you all go to separate college tours or open houses and set a prize for whoever finds the most items on the list. (Remember, bragging rights count as a prize.) Make sure you take lots of pictures; not only does this prove you found what you were looking for, but it gives you and your friends visuals to go along with stories from your different excursions. You basically get to go on extra college tours without any additional effort (or cost), and pics can help you remember what each campus you visited looks like. Some suggestions for things to include are:

• First-year residence hall and dorm room
• A meal from the dining hall
• A coffee and croissant from a student-favored café
• A local landmark
• A sign with the college’s name on it 

And remember, not everything on the scavenger hunt list has to be serious. “Form a conga line with at least three current students and/or faculty members” is completely acceptable, if not highly recommended.

Related: An Important Checklist to Plan Your First Official College Visits

Ask less serious questions

Speaking of the sillier side to college visits, you’ll hear and ask lots of questions when you visit campus. Most of them are about pretty important stuff, such as scholarships, classes and workload, major-specific topics, and residence life. But there are a lot of burning questions that never get answered because they don’t seem to fit the mood. Those are the kinds of questions you want to ask.

Is there a 24-hour diner you can go to when you and your study buddies pull an all-nighter? Is laundry free? What’s the most popular unofficial campus tradition? Does the campus cable package include The Food Network? Are the residence halls haunted? Follow-up: who is the friendliest ghost? Don’t just wait until you attend a school to learn about these things. They’re all important to your college experience. The ability to order pizza at 2:00 am might end up being a tiebreaker if you’re torn between two otherwise similar colleges. Plus, everyone’s nervous on college tours, and an unusual question is a great way to break the ice.

Fill your swag bag

Colleges like to give away free stuff and lots of it. From mascots waving T-shirt cannons to mountains of pens everywhere, there’s no shortage of swag on a campus visit, and they kick it into high gear for open houses. Water bottles, reusable shopping bags, thumb drives, key chains, travel mugs—you name it, the school probably has their logo on it. A lot of open houses also hold raffles for fantastic prizes that most people forget to enter. With so much free stuff, it can be overwhelming. Should you grab the can koozie or the tumbler? Do you really need another sticker, or does a refrigerator magnet make more sense? Instead of making decisions, pull an Ash Ketchum and collect them all! Have a contest with your friends to see who can collect the most free stuff on a college visit. The losers have to forfeit a pen from each of their colleges to the winner—a small price to pay, really.

Why go crazy picking up the free stuff? The reason is threefold: First, you’ll probably have to interact with someone to get each item. This helps you talk to different college representatives—admission counselors, student leaders, faculty—if you’re shy. Second, if you plan to attend the college if you’re accepted, you’ll spend less money buying stuff with the school’s name on it because you already have a bunch. Third, it’s free .

Related:  College Visits: How to Prepare to Take Tours and Explore Campus

Go on an adventure

Location is important when choosing a college. Think of the surrounding area as your campus too, not just the college itself. You should like it if you’re planning to spend four years of your life there. Make exploring even more fun by making some new friends. Talk to a few other people in your info sessions, especially someone who’s interested in the same major as you. Most prospective student days will have some form of downtime in the schedule. When that time comes around, grab your new friend(s) and head out to explore the area surrounding the college. You don’t have to spend money or do more than just walk around, get a vibe for the area, and get to know each other.

You want to really get a feel for the location . Figure out where the closest coffee shop and pharmacy are. Find a gas station and compare the price per gallon to what you’re paying at home if you’re thinking of bringing your car to college. If you have time for lunch, pick something up at a local restaurant. Ask a current student or your tour guide what you absolutely can’t miss around town. Ask a few people and see if they have similar or different answers.

Attend you-specific activities

Instead of attending just info sessions and tours, see if you can visit a college on the day of a big game to gauge the school spirit. If you want to participate in an extracurricular activity like the drama club, dance team, or improv troupe, visit when they have a performance. Make sure you stick around after the performance to talk to different members of the group. You can also ask the admission office about shadow opportunities or fly-in programs , where you get to follow a current student for a whole day and even sleep over on campus. You’ll be able to experience more college courses and get a stronger handle on how to be a college student. Plus, you’ll have more time to ask questions and wander around campus than you would on a tightly scheduled prospective student day.

Make it your own

After you have a few campus visits under your belt, you’ll know what parts you like and which ones you can skip. Maybe you don’t have to have a meal at every cafeteria, but you really want to go to all the info sessions related to your major. Maybe you’re undecided on a major, but you know you want to join an a cappella group, so you’ll always make a beeline to the activities fair. Check out the parts of the campus that are important to you; that’s how you’ll definitely have the most fun campus visits.

Related: My Best Advice for Navigating Your Campus Visits

For even more fun…play Campus Visit Bingo!

In case you need a little more inspiration for fun campus visit activities, we present Bingo: Campus Visit Edition! Print out this sheet and bring it with you on your next college visit. Then mark off all the things you see on campus that match what’s on the bingo card. Get five in a row horizontally, diagonally, or vertically to win! (Four corners counts too.)

Make sure to share your finished card with us! Take a picture and tweet us  @CollegeXpress , and you might just get a little prize for all your hard work.  

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College tour season is about to kick off. Here are 10 tips from college tour guides to have a successful campus visit.

• As spring starts, colleges around the country welcome parents and students to campus for tours. 
• College tour guides want people to arrive on time, ask the right questions, and have fun.
• They also recommend students take the tour on their own, without their parents.

Spring break is right around the corner, and for many high school students and their parents, that means many will be hitting the road to tour colleges around the country.

To make the most of your visit, Business Insider spoke with college students and tour guides. They know the campuses like the back of their hands, and they know how to walk backward.

Here are the dos and don'ts of college tours from student guides.

1. Get there with no time to spare, but don't be late

You won't get points for arriving early, so try to arrive on time. But if you do happen to arrive late , there's no need to worry.

"If something comes up and you are late, ask your guide what you missed once the tour finishes," Skyler Kawecki-Muonio, a senior at Sarah Lawrence College, told BI. "They will happily fill you in."

2. Dress to impress, but don't sacrifice comfort

It's important to look nice, but you don't have to don a jacket and tie. Tour-goers should put their best foot forward with a sturdy pair of walking shoes , and don't forget to dress for the weather.

"At Fairleigh Dickinson, tours go out rain or shine, so make sure to wear clothes that will keep you warm," Emily Bone, class of '25, said.

3. Don't forget to sign in, but skip the CV

Most schools have a check-in desk where you'll receive a campus map and other literature. But don't bother furnishing schools with your portfolio.

"Students can leave their resumes at home," Henry Millar, a senior at William & Mary, said. "Tour guides generally do not have any sway in the admissions process whatsoever, so feel free to save the paper."

4. Pay attention on the tour, but do it solo if possible

Some schools offer the option of letting parents and kids take separate tours, which has advantages.

"Get excited about your child's potential future in college, but give them some space to see what they think of that school on their own," Nathan Weisbrod, a junior at Wesleyan University, told BI.

Students can comfortably ask questions without a parent present and compare notes afterward.

5. Ask all your questions, but avoid personal interrogations

This is the time to inquire about any aspect of campus life , and don't feel shy about speaking up.

"Tour guides love getting questions because it allows us to cater the tour, especially in small groups, toward the needs and interests of the families on that specific tour," Halle Spataro, class of '24 at Bucknell University, said.

But some topics are off-limits, so don't ask your tour guide about their SAT/ACT scores or what they wrote about in their essay.

6. Speak up, but let the student take the lead

Parents may be tempted to raise their hand again and again, but this tour is about the student, so there should be space to let them shine.

"Try to take the backseat — or the passenger seat — but refrain from driving all of your child's interactions," Julian Jacklin, class of '25 at Reed College, said. "Students who feel they can own that experience usually ask the most questions and engage with the tour more."

7. Say thanks, but don't leave with questions unanswered

Maybe your guide didn't hear you, or your kid was reluctant to speak up. You can still get the information you want before leaving.

"There's a lot of information students are getting that day and a lot of excitement with being in a new place, which can make people forget to ask certain questions," Lorenzo Mars, a junior at Pepperdine University, said.

Therefore, get your tour guide's email address so that you can follow up afterward.

8. You may know exactly what school is right, but keep an open mind

Don't be surprised if a city-living kid is suddenly intrigued by a small-town setting.

"The college search and college experience are all about getting to know yourself better and growing, so on a tour, students have to trust themselves and their judgment of the 'world' they've just stepped into," Thomas Elias, class of '24 at University of Scranton, said.

9. Take in as much as you can, but remember to have fun

Sure, preparing for the next four years can be scary and stressful. But it's also an exciting milestone, so enjoy the ride.

"These tours serve as great opportunities to learn more about colleges — along with their cities, culture, and people," Connor Gee, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said. "Have fun with it!"

10. Weigh the pros and cons of the school, but don't stop there

Your tour may be over, but you can still learn other ways to immerse yourself in college life .

"See if the school offers additional experiences, like eating in the cafeteria or attending a class," Emily Balda, class of '24 at Seton Hall University, said. "Consider it 'food for thought.'"

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

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12 February 2015

Suggested College Tour Itineraries

Here are some suggestions for schools to visit, grouped by region, to get you rolling. Each list includes 5-6 schools that offer a range of sizes, settings and selectivity to help imagine the possibilities.  We also suggest others worth considering and why.  

Cities currently covered include Boston, New York City, Syracuse, Washington DC, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

Click on the Continue Reading link below to see our suggestions, or try our College Tour Planner to build your own custom campus tour itinerary.

Suggested starting point

• Boston College
• Northeastern
• Boston University

These popular Boston area schools represent a good mix of size, setting and admissions selectivity.  All are easily accessed via public transportation, and given their relative proximity you can squeeze in two campus visits a day if necessary.  

For a taste of smaller schools in more rural locations, consider driving to western Massachusetts to visit Amherst , Williams , Hampshire College , Smith or UMass Amherst .  If you're interested in engineering, check out Olin , UMass Lowell and WPI , and if you're interested in entrepreneurship visit Babson .  

• Sarah Lawrence

Though we've contained the list to schools in NYC, it's easy to venture out into upstate NY, Connecticut, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania if you're game.  If you're interested in visiting Ivy League schools, both Yale and Princeton are within relatively easy reach by car, bus or train. Cornell is four hours away, but if you head up that way you can also visit Colgate and Hamilton to give you a taste of small, medium and large schools in rural settings.  

• Syracuse University
• Ithaca College
• Hobart and William Smith

The schools on this list offer a great mix of size, setting and selectivity. If environmental science and forestry are your thing, check out SUNY ESF , and if you have time to venture to Rochester, check out the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology .

Washington DC

• American University
• George Washington
• Johns Hopkins
• University of Richmond
• University of Virginia

The schools on this list are medium to large schools in suburban and urban settings. Time permitting, consider also checking out William & Mary , Virginia Tech and Washington and Lee .  

• University of Chicago
• Northwestern
• University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
• University of Wisconsin

These schools are all classic medium-large universities. For a smaller school experience, check out the Colleges that Change Lives in the area, such as Knox , Beloit , Wheaton , Wabash , Kalamazoo and Cornell College .  

• Case Western
• Carnegie Mellon
• University of Michigan

These schools provide a broad mix of sizes and settings. Kenyon and Oberlin exude a small school, small town feel, Ohio state and Michigan a classic Big Ten college town feel, and Case Western and Carnegie Mellon a more urban feel.

San Francisco

• UC Berkeley
• UC Santa Cruz
• University of San Francisco
• Santa Clara University

Most of the San Francisco Bay area schools tend to be larger in size, but offer great variety in terms of locale/setting. Three popular University of California campuses are within two hours: the more rural, bicycle-friendly Davis, the urban, progressive Berkeley, and the earthy-crunchy Santa Cruz.  

Los Angeles

• Claremont Colleges
• UC San Diego

These popular Southern California schools offer a good mix of size, setting and selectivity. You'll need a car to see them all, but in certain situations it's still very possible to squeeze in two campus visits a day.  The Claremont Colleges— Pomona , Claremont McKenna , Pitzer , Harvey Mudd and Scripps —are particularly interesting to visit because of their setup as a consortium with distinct campuses but shared classes.

If you're interested in STEM fields, be sure to check out Caltech and Harvey Mudd. If film or animation are your thing, check out Chapman University , Cal Arts and Loyola Marymount in addition to USC and UCLA.

• Tags: American , Amherst , Babson , Beloit , Boston College , Boston University , CalArts , Carnegie Mellon , Case Western , Chapman , Claremont McKenna , Colgate , Columbia , Cornell , Cornell College , Fordham , George Washington , Georgetown , Hamilton , Hampshire , Harvard , Harvey Mudd , Hobart and William Smith , Ithaca , Johns Hopkins , Kalamazoo , Kenyon , Knox , Loyola Marymount , Michigan , MIT , Northeastern , Northwestern , Notre Dame , NYU , Oberlin , Occidental , Ohio State , Olin , Pepperdine , Pitzer , Pomona , Princeton , Purdue , Rochester , Rochester Institute of Technology , Santa Clara , Sarah Lawrence , Scripps , Smith , Stanford , Syracuse , Tufts , UC Berkeley , UC Davis , UC San Diego , UC Santa Cruz , UCLA , UMass Amherst , UMass Lowell , University of Chicago , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , University of Richmond , University of San Francisco , University of Virginia , USC , Virginia Tech , Wabash , Washington and Lee , Wheaton - IL , William & Mary , Williams , Wisconsin , WPI , Yale , Yeshiva

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Admit-a-bull // official admissions blog, why campus visits matter and what questions to ask.

By Emily Young | Last Updated: Aug 21, 2024

You constantly hear from everyone (your guidance counselor, admissions advisors, and, hey! even the USF admissions blog) that college campus visits are important. But when you’ve got so many options to choose from — tours, open houses, Admitted Students Day, orientation — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How can you tell which event is best for you, and how can you make the most of your visit? You’re in luck: We’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

Let’s talk about why campus visits matter and how to make the most of them — including the questions you should ask.

Campus Visits Are Inspirational  

High school is a marathon — and sometimes it feels pretty grueling, especially when you can’t yet see the finish line. Glimpsing your post-race reward (life at college) can be inspirational. After all, it’s easier to stay motivated when you can actually picture yourself at college. To develop that mental picture, we recommend dropping by your local campus and getting a taste of what’s waiting for you, even as early as freshman year .

“We absolutely welcome first-year high school students if they’re interested in coming on campus,” says Freddie O’Brion, the Campus Tour Manager at USF Tampa.

Bring your friends along for an official tour, sign up for an open house, or explore at your own pace. Whatever you choose, the point is to have fun! Act like you’re in college:

• Grab a slice of pizza at the food court.
• Visit that state-of-the-art marine science building and envision yourself learning how to save the manatees.
• Check out the on-campus art museum and picture your work on display.
• Walk past the recreation center to get a peek at its resort-style swimming pool and busy basketball courts.
• Observe the freedom of college life — students coming to and from residence halls, meeting up with new friends, and hustling to events like comedy nights, movies on the lawn, and Homecoming.

All that kinda makes you want to study for the SAT, doesn’t it?

Make the Most of Your Visit

While you’re on campus, it doesn’t hurt to ask for some pro tips on college prep. “At USF, our admissions office is open for walk-in appointments every weekday,” O’Brion says. “Our admissions advisors are some of the most knowledgeable experts … about what kinds of things you need in order to get into a university.”

Don’t stress about this meeting — it’s not an admissions interview, but simply a chance for you to get the inside scoop. An advisor can tell you how to approach standardized tests, what course credits actually matter, and strategies to make your high school years count. You won’t just leave inspired: you’ll have a game plan, too.

What Questions Should You Ask on a Freshman College Visit?

Ask yourself these questions:

• What excites me about college?
• What do I picture myself studying here? (There’s no rush to figure out your college major — that’s why schools offer exploratory programs ! But throughout high school, check in with yourself about what academic fields, classes, and careers interest you.)
• What extracurriculars and campus clubs look cool to me? Can I get involved in — or even start — something similar at my high school?

Ask the admissions advisor these questions:

• What should I be doing in my high school years to prepare for college?
• What’s the best way to approach standardized tests?
• What is a “high school resume” and how should I start one?

Campus Visits Help You Narrow Your College Application List  

Sophomore year is the perfect time to check out nearby colleges and universities. Next, between the spring of your junior year and fall of your senior year , you’ll want to intentionally visit your target schools, including campuses out-of-state. So, what are your options for college visits?

• A virtual tour . Visiting a ton of different schools can get pricey — especially if they’re spread across the country. “For folks who maybe aren’t sure if they can or want to spend the money to fly in from out of state, I would recommend exploring our pretty robust virtual offerings,” says O’Brion. USF’s virtual tours include 360° panoramic photos that practically transport you to one of our three sunny campuses. Plus, the virtual tours include audio from guides who are current students, so you’ll still discover the campus’ best-kept secrets.
• A self-guided tour. Are you an introvert who’d rather explore the campus on your own? Download a self-guided tour app — an underutilized resource, according to O’Brion: “It gives you all of the information that you would get on a guided tour, but you can do it at your pace.”
• An official campus tour. In the traditional campus tour, you’ll join a group led by a college student guide. The perks? You can ask the tour guide to share their own experiences, giving you valuable insight as you navigate the campus.
• An open house . If you’re serious about the school, an open house might be your best bet, because it includes more activities than the standard tour. At a USF open house, you can explore campus, chat with faculty and current students, hear from financial aid officers, and learn about academics and campus life. “If you’re in your last semester of junior year or you’re a senior, you’re probably going to want to go to an open house so you can get a more in-depth overview of USF,” says Paige Maciaszek, Admissions Special Events Coordinator at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
• Other admissions events . Contact your local campus to find out what special events they offer. For example, USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts a “college prep night” where high school juniors and seniors can learn general tips about the college search and application process.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to visit campus. At this stage of the process, the whole point is helping you decide where to apply.

“Frankly, we’re not going to make any admissions decisions based on what events you did or didn’t attend,” O’Brion says. “If you’re looking at all of your options, I really recommend picking what feels best, exciting, and interesting to you, and what works well with your schedule.”

Before visiting in person, research the school so you’ll know what questions to ask and what majors or clubs interest you. Then set up meetings with admissions and financial aid officers, and, if possible, professors in your field(s) of interest. Snag any chance you get to sit in on a class and don’t forget to soak up the campus and surrounding area. Could you see yourself thriving here for four years?

Here’s another tip for out-of-state students: If you’re worried about a big change in climate, you might want to visit during the “worst weather” season. “For Florida, that’s obviously going to be summer and then early fall when it’s usually the hottest,” says Maciaszek. “But to be honest, our campus is beautiful year-round.” (Just make sure you bring sunscreen and plenty of water.)

What Questions Should You Ask on a College Visit?

The school’s website should answer most of your basic questions, such as:

• What is the freshman retention rate?
• How many majors are offered?
• What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
• What extracurricular activities/clubs can students get involved in?
• What on-campus housing is available?
• What are meal plans like?
• What is the diversity of the student population?
• How many classes are taught by professors rather than teaching assistants?
• What special programs and academic opportunities (such as Honors Colleges and undergraduate research) are available?
• What internships and career support are available?
• What resources and support systems are offered (health clinics, counseling centers, gyms, libraries, tutoring centers, etc.)?
• What financial aid and scholarships are available?
• What are the school’s rankings and recognitions?
• What are the school’s four-year and six-year graduation rates?

You can also find out a lot of information about a school’s reputation on third-party websites, like the Princeton Review’s list of the 209 “Best Value Colleges” or the  College Scorecard , which is like a  Consumer Reports  for higher education.

If you can answer these general questions before your visit, then you can ask your student tour guide more specific questions.

• What’s the food like?
• Why did you choose this school?
• What do students do for fun on the weekends?
• What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about the school?
• What are the professors like?
• Where would you recommend students look for work on campus?
• What advice would you give to students considering this school?

“Those student tour guides are the experts,” says Maciaszek. “They might be able to tell you, ‘Here’s how to set yourself up for academic success,’ because they've lived that experience.”

Admitted Students Day Helps You Celebrate Your Acceptance — and Make a Decision

Once you’ve been accepted to a school, Admitted Students Day can help you make your final decision. In fact, if your budget only allows you to visit an out-of-state school one time, you may want to save your trip for this event.

Here’s what you should know:

• Admitted Students Day events are an important way to get in-depth information about whether the school is right for you. Along with a tour of campus, you should get the chance to meet current and prospective students, connect with faculty, learn about academics and extracurriculars, and get practical information on housing, dining, support services, and financial aid.
• Typically, the event lasts a day or half-day and is held in the spring. At USF, Admitted Students Day events take place from January through April.
• You’re welcome to attend whether you’ve already accepted the school’s offer of admission or you’re still deciding.
• Your family can attend with you.
• If you can’t visit in person, many schools offer virtual Admitted Student Days, including USF.

If you’re choosing between schools, take notes at each Admitted Students Day, then make a comparison chart. Weigh important criteria like financial aid, location, majors, extracurriculars, study abroad opportunities, and general vibes.

Remember to have fun at this event! It’s time to celebrate all you’ve accomplished. This school is trying to wow you! That ought to feel good. (Plus, you might even meet your future roommate at one of the activities).

What Questions Should You Ask at Admitted Students Day?

Read through your admissions packet thoroughly so you know the right questions to ask. At this point, you’re seriously considering this school, so you’ll want to get specific.

• What financial aid and scholarship opportunities can the school offer me?
• How can this college help me achieve my academic goals?
• What are graduates in my field doing now?
• What are the regional internship and job opportunities for my field?
• What student success resources does the school offer? (Think about resources that may be especially important to you, such as free mental health counseling or disability accommodations in residence halls.)
• What would my transition to the school look like?  

Orientation Is Essential for College Success

Once you accept a school’s offer of admission, you’ll need to attend an orientation session. Most schools require this event: at USF, for example, you won’t be able to sign up for classes until you attend Orientation.

Here’s what you should know about college orientation:

• At orientation, you’ll meet faculty and staff, connect with other incoming students, learn about academic requirements, get familiar with school resources, and conduct business, like picking up your university ID card. You can also meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.
• Orientation sessions can last anywhere from a day to a week, depending on your school. At USF, the sessions are limited to one day.
• Some schools may offer virtual orientations if you can’t attend in person.
• Register online to choose the date that you want to attend. Unlike other events covered in this article, orientation may cost a fee, so contact the orientation team at your school if this causes you financial difficulty.
• Your parent or guardian can attend family sessions.

Make The Most of Your Visit

Be sure to submit any required documents (like immunization records or documentation of dual enrollment credits) before orientation. Your school will tell you what they need.

If possible, bring your unofficial transcript to orientation so your advisor can see what classes you’ve taken in high school and help you choose the right courses for college. This is especially helpful if you’re starting in the summer and your final transcript isn’t available yet.

What Questions Should You Ask at College Orientation?

At this point, you’re ideally committed to attending this school. Now your questions are no longer about whether it would be a good fit for you, but about how you can successfully make the transition. For example:

• What’s covered in the meal plan?
• What housing options are available to me?
• How do I access health and wellness resources on campus?
• Who can I talk to if I feel overwhelmed during the semester?
• What campus security features/emergency alerts should I know about?
• How do I drop or add a class?
• How do I declare a major?
• How do I access career counseling and how can career counselors help me during my freshman year?
• Can you tell me more about my financial aid and tuition payment options?
• How can I get involved in campus life?
• What first-year experiences are available to freshman students?

Reach Out to Admissions Officers

We know visiting colleges can be a big deal. That’s why we’ve created so many blog posts on the topic. Consult these resources for more in-depth tips:

• How to Prepare for a Campus Tour
• How Campus Visits and Tours Can Affect Your College Decision
• What’s the Best Type of Campus Tour?
• Questions to Ask on a Campus Tour
• College Campus Visits in Summer
• College Campus Visits in Winter
• Tips For Traveling to Out-Of-State Colleges of Interest
• Top Tips for Planning College Road Trips
• Take a Campus Tour from Home

Considering USF? We’d love to welcome you on campus! Reach out to the  Office of Admissions or schedule your tour online today!

About Emily Young

Emily Young, a freelance writer and editor on the Gulf Coast, is a proud USF alumna dedicated to connecting readers to resources and helping students succeed.

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January 20th, 2023 • 5 min

College Bound: 7 Tips for Planning University Tours

Is your child almost ready to fly the coop and head off to college? Or are your parents freaking out because you’re about to leave the nest for a university? Whether you’re a future college student or a future parent of a college student, big decisions have to be made, and the best way to decide on a college is to take a campus tour. Here are some tips for planning those university tours.

Do Your Homework First

Make sure to check out the university’s website or call the school first to see if you have to sign up for a campus tour or if you can just drop in. Start researching financial aid options early, and nose around for any under-the-radar scholarships or grants. Make a list of the questions you want to ask about financial aid ahead of your visit.

Plot Your Course

It’s a good idea to plan a visit before applications are due so you can decide on which schools you want to apply to after checking them out in person. Focus your visits on one geographic region at a time and visit as many colleges as you can in that area. Concentrate on the schools you are most interested in and limit your visits to one school a day, so it doesn’t cause confusion or anxiety. It might seem like a small detail but find out where to park on campus ahead of time, as some colleges can be very quick with a tow truck.

Start Visiting Early

The spring of junior year, or even late during sophomore year, isn’t too soon to start touring universities. This gives students more time to research schools, apply, and make up their minds about which one to attend. An early college visit can also help motivate them to work harder to get into the school that won their heart.

When You Get There

Head to the  admissions office  first so staff can point you to the places you’re most interested in learning about. While you’re there, see if you can get an interview with an admissions rep if you haven’t scheduled an appointment ahead of time. (When you get home, follow up with hand-written thank-you notes to the folks you met with in admissions.)

Once the tour is over, be sure to check out the places the tour doesn’t take you. Think of places where your child will be spending a lot of time, like the library or the cafeteria, to get a good idea of the campus vibe. Take plenty of notes and photos so you can keep the different universities straight. To get an idea of the campus life, grab a student newspaper, or see if there’s a campus event you can check out.

The best way to get to know a school is to get to know the students who attend the school. Be proactive. If you meet other current students while out on your tour (other than the guides), ask them what their experience of the university has been like so far, and what they like and dislike about their programs. If you meet a professor, ask them about their curriculums and departments. Sit in on a class or two to check out the professor’s style of teaching. Students should also see if they are able to schedule an official overnight stay in a dorm as part of the tour to get a real feel for what student life is all about.

Pair College Tours with Family Vacations

Parents can save big bucks by combining  family vacations  with university tours. Check and see what family attractions are close by and allow time to see what the college town is like too.

Avoid Holiday and Weekend Visits

It’s a good idea to see what the campus is like when classes are in session, so try not to visit during weekends or holidays. Fridays on campus can be very different from Mondays, and summer classes will have a different feeling than fall.

What advice would you give families planning university tours? Share your tips with us on  Facebook .

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A “Genius” New England Road Trip Itinerary- College Towns!

Looking For a Northeast Road Trip Itinerary?

If you’re looking for a fun and unique New England road trip itinerary…we’ve got you covered!

This week’s New England road trip itinerary is a guest post from Sara with Journey of Doing . Sara believes the best way to tour New England states is by doing a northeast road trip through all these super cute New England college towns!

So, if you’re looking for a family road trip from Boston, need to make some college visits, or maybe just want to check a few New England states off your USA bucket list, this might be the perfect itinerary for you!

Boston is the perfect place to start or end this road trip! There are so many things to do in Boston with kids , teens, and families! It’s one of our favorite cities and definitely deserves a spot on any New England road trip itinerary!

Our New England Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Boston- Road trip 2 hours to Hanover, New Hampshire Day 2: Hanover, New Hampshire Day 3: Road trip 3 hours to New Haven, Connecticut Day 4: New Haven, Connecticut Day 5: Road trip 1.45 hours to Providence, Rhode Island Day 6: Road trip 1 hour to Boston, Massachusetts Day 7: Boston/ Cambridge, Massachusetts Day 8: Depart Boston 

Are we there yet? Check out our epic list of 250 road trip questions to keep everyone entertained along the way!

Day 1:  Arrive Hanover, New Hampshire

Home to dartmouth college.

The most cost effective way to get to Hanover is by driving from Boston.  Upon arrival, walk down Main Street to check out the local shops or head to the Dartmouth Green with a book, a ball, or a Frisbee. 

If you want to feel like a college kid, grab pizza and beer at Ramunto’s Brick and Brew .  If you’re looking for beer (and pub fare), head to Murphy’s instead.  If you are looking for a more upscale dining experience, head to Pine at the Hanover Inn.    

Evenings in Hanover are quiet.  See what’s happening at the Hop or check out the Dartmouth Observatory on Friday nights.

Hotel Suggestion:  Hanover Inn for 2 nights

Day 2:  Hanover, New Hampshire

Today is a great day to live out your Great British Bake-Off dreams by taking a class at King Arthur Flour .  Whether it’s bread, pasta, pie, or pizza, you’re sure to emerge with something delicious.  If you’re already a professional chef, grab fresh pastries from their bakery and head to their store for all the things that you can’t find at your local grocery store.  You’ll have to cross state lines, but luckily, it’s only a 10-minute drive.   

If getting your hands dirty doesn’t appeal to your sensibilities, you can revisit history through art by visiting the Orozco Murals or Hood Museum .   Quechee State Park offers a variety of trails and outdoor activities.  If it’s raining, head to the Montshire Museum of Science for a variety of STEM exhibits and activities. 

Day 3:  New Haven, Connecticut via Northampton, Massachusetts

Home to yale university.

Make a leisurely drive to New Haven by stopping in Northampton, home of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library .  (You can pick up a Presidential Library passport or collect another stamp in your existing one.)

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Viva Fresh Pasta .   Before getting back in the car, stretch your legs at the Smith College botanical garden s.  If you just want a quick stop, grab anything with the hot fudge at Herrell’s ice cream.  

A full day of driving requires an easy dinner.  Make it easy on yourself and head to Frank Pepe , a New Haven institution, for coal-fired pizza and beer. You can walk next door for dessert before heading back to your hotel.  

Hotel Suggestion:  New Haven Hotel for 2 nights

Day 4: New Haven, Connecticut

Before you start your day, see if you can get tickets to one of the Yale School of Drama productions.  You might just see the next Broadway or Hollywood star before they make it big.

Get an additional cultural fix by checking out any of the amazing collections at Yale.  While there are certainly more than these exhibits, these are some of our favorites!  Led by graduate students, the Yale University Art Gallery offers guided tours specifically curated based on what the guide is studying!  If you’re more of a book nerd, head to the newly renovated Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript library to see the Gutenberg Bible and the original 1742 Yale Library collection. Or, if you’re more musically inclined, head to the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments .     

Regardless of what you choose, you’ve earned a treat.  You’ll want to hit up the Shops at Yale for retail therapy and ice cream at Arethusa .

Pre-show dinner options include Olea or Union League Cafe but make sure to make an early reservation so you can make it to the theater on time!

Day 5:  Providence, Rhode Island

Home to brown university, rhode island school of design, & johnson and wales.

Start your day early so you can make it to Providence when the RISD Museum opens.   

Grab a burger and milkshake at Harry’s Burger before heading to Roger Williams Park .   Whether you head to the zoo, the Museum of Natural History, or the botanical gardens, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy your afternoon. 

Try to plan your visit around the monthly WaterFire Festival .   Not only is it beautiful, but it is also a great way to experience the local art scene in Providence with music, art, and local restaurants.

Hotel Suggestion:  Courtyard Providence for 1 night

Day 6…7…8:  Cambridge/Boston, Massachusetts

Home to harvard, mit, & boston university (and many more).

Between the Freedom Trail, the museums, the seaport, and the green spaces, you could spend your entire vacation in Boston without ever crossing the river.  Sticking with the college town theme of this itinerary, I am sharing my favorite things in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Choose a Harvard museum (or two).   With the largest endowment in the world, Harvard has some world-class collections.  I recommend the Harvard Art Museums or the Harvard Semitic Museum .   

If you can’t do any more museums, check out the local retailers, street musicians and festivals around Harvard Square.  I love perusing the many bookstores, especially the used books in the basement of that Harvard Bookstore .  

You’re going to want your walking shoes this afternoon.  Head to Mass Ave and start walking towards MIT. After 2.5 miles, you’ve earned a sweet treat from Toscanini’s .  (I recommend B3!)  Grab a table outside and rest your legs.  (You can also take the T.  It’s only two stops.)    

After ice cream, it’s time to choose your own adventure!  You can do a self-guided tour of the public art at MIT.  (Bonus points if you crack the alleged code on the Jaume Plensa sculpture!)   Or, you can explore innovation at one of the world’s leading technology institutes by visiting the MIT Museum .

Depending on where you are staying, head to Harvard Square or Kendall Square for dinner.  Harvard Square recommendations are Toscano , Harvest , or Grafton Street Pub .  Kendall Square recommendations are Legal Sea Foods , Oleana , and Amelia’s .

Don’t forget to check out the Harvard Box Office for public events.  Whether it’s hearing a guest lecture, attending a musical performance, or heading to a sporting event, there’s no shortage of events in Cambridge.

Once you’ve exhausted all the things to see in Cambridge, you can head across the Charles River and find everything from the Freedom Trail , to the Red Sox, to more museums and a Presidential Library !  You’ll want to grab a hazelnut chocolate chip cookie or two from Flour Bakery to fuel up though!

Hotel Suggestions:  The Charles Hotel or the Doubletree Suites Cambridge (it’s a short walk across the river from Cambridge) for 2 nights.

For more things to do, check out this great 2 day Boston itinerary .

Best New England Road Trips

Small New England towns have the most charm and are definitely worthy of a visit. Add Boston to the itinerary and you have a mix of a bigger city to round out your travels!

For these reasons we definitely feel like this might just be the most amazing New England road trip itinerary you can accomplish in just over a week. If you’re limited by time, you can certainly make this into a one week road trip from Boston. If you have more time consider this epic Boston to Niagara Falls road trip !

Have you been to New England? Have you visited any of these towns?

Road Tripping

We just love a road trip and think it belongs on every bucket list! Here are some more fun and exciting road trip ideas all over the US to inspire your travels:

20 Short Southeastern US Road Trip Ideas

20 Adventurous USA Road Trips

NC Road Trip Itinerary

Utah and Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

10 Must Do Southern Road Trips

10 Epic Pennsylvania Road Trips

Be sure to share all your epic adventures on Instagram with these fun road trip captions and quotes !

About The Author

A huge thank you to Sara from Journey of Doing!! Make sure to follow Sara on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter !

Sara loves learning about local cultures, history, and traditions through travel. She’s recently written all about her time in Rome, including tips for driving in Italy , which I’m super excited about since I’m all about a road trip lately!

Stay tuned for more road trip posts coming up…so many fun road trip itineraries to share! But in the meantime, check out my favorite California road trip itinerary or any of these North Carolina weekend getaways !

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I love this idea! What a fun intinerary. Will have to note the locations next time we are in the area. Pinning for future reference!

Awesome! I hope you’re able to add a New England road trip to your schedule! It’s a beautiful area!

I’ve always wanted to explore more of New England. This is the perfect itinerary. I can’t wait to try it out.

It’s a beautiful area of the USA- I hope you do get to visit!

Very interesting, good job and thanks for sharing such a good blog.

Privacy Overview

Division of Energy and Innovation

• UH Energy and Innovation

News and Events

Bridging the gap: uh welcomes lone star college stem students for energy showcase.

By Ed Bailey, Communications Director

With 44% of its student body identifying as first-generation college students, the University of Houston has been lauded for providing a bevy of programs, resources and support geared toward acclimating first-time Coogs to the collegiate experience.

However, UH extends similar support beyond its campus, too.

Lone Star College-University Park’s Summer Bridge STEM program helps first time undergraduates with specific interests in STEM careers make a successful transition to college life. For the program’s third year, it chose energy as a central focus of its curriculum.

Fittingly, The Energy University was the perfect place for Lone Star’s latest cohort to take part in an interactive showcase highlighting just a sliver of energy’s limitless potential within a variety of applications and careers.

“We’re proud to have partnered with Lone Star College to help provide this opportunity for their students. Education goes far beyond our classrooms at UH, and engaging the community is a key point of pride and emphasis in what we do,” said Deidra Perry, executive director of educational programs for the Division of Energy and Innovation. “It’s vital to showcase what we’re doing in energy and innovation and to show our future leaders that UH is the place to be for aspiring difference-makers in those spaces.”

In addition to a campus tour, the group visited a trio of labs that highlight the gamut of ground-breaking activity at UH: the Robotic Swarm Control Lab led by Aaron Becker, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the UH Cullen College of Engineering; environmental engineering assistant professor Mim Rahimi’s lab for Electrochemical Processes for Climate Change Mitigation; and the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH with research Shaowei Song.

“UH is advancing energy and promoting innovation at an impressive level, and a lot of our students have never been to the campus before,” said Regina Oliver, program coordinator at Lone Star College-University Park. “It was a wonderful opportunity for them to tour one of our most popular transfer institutions, explore STEM and for us to provide more hands-on learning experiences within our community, thanks to UH’s faculty and staff.”

Becker’s lab, which focuses in part on the use of magnetically controlled tiny robots as an innovative and non-invasive solution to combat pulmonary embolisms – the world’s third-most common cardiovascular diseases after heart attacks and strokes – caught the eye of Natalie Rodriguez, a freshman who is working toward an associate’s degree at Lone Star with intention of being a nurse. In addition to personal growth, Rodriguez noted that the experience opened her eyes to the many opportunities awaiting her in the next phase of her studies.

“It helped me see the difference resources UH provides, and there’s a lot of innovation and up and coming technologies happening here,” she said. “What really caught my eye was their device to help against blood clots. I love everything health science related, so it was refreshing to see how energy can make an impact in that field.”

The Lone Star group also got a closer look at the Rahimi group’s groundbreaking work in electrochemical carbon capture as well as TcSUH’s cutting-edge endeavors in thermoelectricity.

Xavier Castillo, a Lone Star student with plans to study biomedical engineering and pursue a career in medicine, echoed Rodriguez’s sentiments. For him, the tour was a peek behind the curtain of the latest advancements in technology and science, describe it as a “humbling” learning opportunity as it gave the group the curiosity to turn weaknesses into strengths.

“The tour was very fascinating, given that none of us really have a background in engineering. My experience within this program has been great, and it’s not only helped me learn more about college life, but myself as well,” he said. “It gave us a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes, in a way. From an innovation standpoint, there’s so much going on at UH that we don’t know about with the potential to do great things in the world.”

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Ca&es parent and family weekend tour 2024, event date sat, nov 2, 2024 @ 10:00am - 11:00am.

Parents and Students! The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences invites you to join us for a special tour and talk of our horse barn facility with College Leadership, faculty, staff and Aggie Ambassadors.  The Department of Animal Science Horse Barn has been a mainstay at UC Davis since its foundation in the early 1910's. The Horse Barn begain as a carriage house for draft horses and mules used in agricultural work and now serves to provide students in all aspects of equine reproduction and management via hands-on experience. Learn more about the Horse Barn at https://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/facilities/horsebarn Snacks will be provided and we suggest you wear closed toed shoes for the tour. A map to the horse barn can be found at http://campusmap.ucdavis.edu/?b=258 and parking is available across the street in parking lot 47.  This event is free to attend and we appreciate you registering in advance by Thursday, October 31 at 5 p.m. at the following link: https://registration.ucdavis.edu/Item/Details/1184

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3 Things To Watch: Michigan football vs. Fresno State

Matt lounsberry | 11 hours ago.

• Michigan Wolverines

The college football offseason is finally over, and the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines are set to begin a new campaign with "Team 145" this fall. Michigan opens the 2024 season with Group of Five opponent Fresno State out of the Mountain West Conference.

There are plenty of questions to answer and depth chart spot to fill after all the turnover from Michigan's roster this offseason, but a few things stand out among the rest. Here are three things to watch in the Wolverines' season-opener against the Bulldogs.

1.) Michigan's downfield passing game

All eyes are going to be on both Alex Orji and Davis Warren in this game, assuming both guys get an opportunity to play. However, the thing I'll be specifically focusing on is those quarterbacks' proficiency in the intermediate and downfield passing game. There's a good chance offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell will call several bubble screens or quick throws to help get his QB comfortable and in rhythm, but somewhere along the way the Wolverines will face a 3rd-and-6 or longer. How effective will Orji and/or Warren be in those situations? Are they on time? Are they on target? How well do they read what the defense is presenting them? All those things are much more important that just a quarterback's final stat line.

2.) Michigan's depth along the defensive line

This Wolverines starting defensive line is going to be nasty in 2024, with Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant clogging up the middle while Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore coming flying across the edge. While I'm excited to see how those four guys perform, the more intriguing question is how good Michigan's depth is behind that quartet. According to defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Graham has been work through some bumps and bruises through fall camp, and redshirt junior DT Rayshaun Benny is still working his way back up to game speed following his injury in the Rose Bowl. That puts some pressure on young guys like Enow Etta to grow up quickly and be ready to contribute in the interior. On the edge, we expect redshirt junior T.J. Guy to play an increased role and be a steady part of the rotation at defensive end, but who else is going to get snaps behind Stewart and Moore?

3.) Can Michigan just reload at offensive line again?

This may be the most important question of the season for the Wolverines. You can certainly argue the quarterback ranks higher, but I think most of us expect Michigan to not be as special at that position as they were the last two seasons with J.J. McCarthy. The Wolverines need to be tough, physical and dominant at offensive line in order have any shot at success this fall. Fall camp intel has been very positive in that regard, but whenever a program is replacing its top six O-lineman from a prior year, it merits some concern. I like what the Wolverines have in left tackle Myles Hinton, left gaurd Josh Priebe and right guard Gio El-Hadi. There are a couple more questions on who will get the start at center and right tackle but, for now, head coach Sherrone Moore has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the offensive line.

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MATT LOUNSBERRY

USC hits record enrollment as fall semester begins

Enrollment surpasses 38,000 students for first time.

As the fall semester begins, enrollment at the University of South Carolina has reached a record high.

“We are excited to welcome another strong freshman class to USC,” President Michael Amiridis says. “Our fall enrollment numbers continue to reflect the overall health and excellent reputation of the University of South Carolina.”

A record for USC Columbia: Overall student enrollment at USC Columbia has reached a historic high, exceeding 38,300 students, according to preliminary figures. The growth in enrollment has been aided by university efforts to retain more students. USC’s previous high of 36,538 students was recorded in the fall of 2023. This semester marks the first time USC’s overall enrollment has surpassed 38,000 students. Freshman enrollment is 7,290, roughly the same as last year.

Serving South Carolina: Of the 7,290 freshmen enrolled at USC Columbia for the fall 2024 semester, 3,800 (52 percent) are South Carolina residents. Students also come from each of the state’s 46 counties. This fall, USC Columbia is educating more residents of South Carolina than ever. 

Destination USC: The university received a record number of applicants this year — 52,708.  

Healthy system: Enrollment at USC system institutions is also strong. Overall system enrollment, including USC Columbia, rose 5.2 percent to 54,485 for the fall 2024 semester.

Academically successful: More than 1,000 students starting this fall were in the top 10 percent of their South Carolina high school class. This is a 10 percent increase over last year and comes after USC announced last August that it would guarantee admission to S.C. students in the top 10 percent of their class.

Retaining students: Part of the university’s enrollment success stems from efforts to retain existing students through early intervention programs. USC’s Graduation and Retention Network helps students stay on track for degree completion, while the Scholarship Risk Intervention program helps students take steps to maintain their academic scholarships.

Promoting social mobility: USC continues to serve its mission of promoting economic and social mobility. More than 2,000 incoming freshmen — nearly 28 percent — are underrepresented minority students, an increase of 17 percent over last year. In addition, approximately 1,500 freshmen are first-generation students.  

More than freshmen: In total, approximately 9,200 new undergraduates will start their academic journey at USC this year. That includes freshmen, transfer students and international exchange students.

Planning for growth: As USC’s student body increases, the Board of Trustees is actively planning for the future . The university recently released USC Next , its master plan for managing future growth.

What they’re saying: “We are proud of our continued enrollment growth, particularly our success in attracting new students from across the state. Our high retention rate is a testament to the value we provide to students and their families. This growth underscores the unique opportunities and exceptional education that USC offers to all students.” — Scott Verzyl, vice president for enrollment management