The Essential Guide to College Visits

Although embarking on a college education is a leap of faith for any student, It is important to take the most informed leaps possible when researching what schools will be the best fit. In this case, the overused adage of seeing is believing is spot on. Students who thoroughly research AND visit college campuses will make the most informed decisions when it comes to college fit.

Though college visits can be done many ways, it is best to get them done early and often in a high-school student’s life. There can be more than a few nerves involved in the college selection process, and one of the best ways to calm them is to visit! Students need to see college campuses and meet those who live and teach there! Read on for my pro-tips on how to best navigate the college visit. Students, whether you are nervous or ecstatic about leaving for school, I hope this leads you toward an informed decision. 

Pro Tip 1: Do Your Homework First!

If you showed most folks what lies under the hood of their car, they would have no idea what they are looking at! A seasoned mechanic, however, will be able to tell the difference between a Honda and a Volkswagen. Your job as a college researcher is to check under the hood of each school and know what you are looking at before you go. Students should look up, using the Common Data Set or other reliable sources, the acceptance rate, average GPA/test scores of admitted freshman, the out of state enrollment rate (if applicable), the majors available, and the cost of attendance before even considering a visit. 

If families are early in the search process, my best advice is to research and visit several different types of schools, with a variety of sizes, locations and academic programs. Parents, let your student be the guide here, and don’t simply go to the most popular (read: rejective) schools because you hope to brag about your child’s admission one day. Rather, try touring a larger state school, a private, liberal arts school, and a research university just to get an idea of what each place feels like. 

In the junior and senior years, plan visits to places that interest you based on your major of interest and areas of fit you have already researched. Through researching the academic, financial and social fit ahead of time, as well as attending a virtual visit, families will know what they are looking at once they arrive.

Pro tip 2: Plan by Region

Most families these days do not have unlimited time and resources to travel to campuses every week. If it is possible to visit a school on an unrelated family trip or visit, that’s great, but I encourage you to be intentional with planning your trip. Students receive a few ‘college visit days’ at many high schools, so use that time wisely and tour regionally. 

Start by looking at the colleges you are most interested in learning about, and check their websites for visit events or information sessions per major of interest. Even if you can only ‘officially’ tour one on your list while you are traveling, you can do a self-guided tour, stop by the admissions office, and request an appointment with an admissions counselor at all schools on your route. Remember, letting a college know you were there by stopping by admissions or even dropping an info card in the box does indeed count as demonstrated interest, which may give a slight boost for admission. 

Pro Tip 3: Talk and Listen

Having gone through this process as a parent, I can attest that families learn most about the school when attending a tour related to specific academic areas. A typical tour will include visits to (or a walk by) various departmental buildings, libraries, dorms (usually not a room tour), recreation facilities, cafeterias, etc. While these are great to see, it is important to learn the features and benefits of the major you intend to apply to, if you have one in mind. 

On whatever type of tour you do, the most valuable resource is the person(s) leading it. Walk toward the front of the group and chat with your tour guide, whether they are staff or students. This is where the magic happens in terms of real, down to earth information. Inquire about their major (or subject taught), get a sense of what work based learning opportunities are available, ask about their housing situation and if they like it. Here are a few questions you can ask to get the conversation started:

• What is your favorite thing about _____school?

• Where have you lived on campus? Would you recommend it?

• What do students here do for fun outside the classroom?

• What advice would you give to a first-year student? 

• What clubs and extracurriculars are you involved in?

• Do most students have cars on campus and do they need to?

I promise that unless you tour multiple times, you probably will not remember the exact location of each building, but you will remember the impressions your tour guide gave of the general friendliness and accessibility of campus. 

Pro Tip 4: Write Down Your Impressions

When departing campus, give yourself a moment to pause and reflect. Students, whether you keep a journal or bulleted notes, give yourself some time to jot down your impressions before seriously discussing them with your parents. Mom and Dad, do your best to give your student the space to think for a little bit before sharing your impressions. It is, after all, your student’s impressions that matter the most in this equation. Yes, you should absolutely discuss such important decisions in detail as a family, but immediately post-visit, allow the experience to sink in for 20 minutes before giving your input. 

Final Thoughts

If families find themselves on campus during weekends, holidays or summer months, it may be more difficult, albeit not impossible, to gain an audience with an admission officer. That said, if these are the only times you are able to tour, so be it, and take advantage of that time by doing the self-guided version and dropping an information card into the admissions office box. The most relevant advice is to tour enough types of colleges to truly understand how to compare and find the very best fit for YOU. Tour with an open mind - you may be pleasantly surprised at what you discover!

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to start visiting colleges?

Start early—ideally during freshman or sophomore year—so you can compare different types of campuses before narrowing your list in junior and senior year.

What should I research before visiting a school?

Check the acceptance rate, average GPA/test scores, available majors, cost of attendance, and overall campus vibe through virtual tours or student videos.

How can I make the most of limited travel time? 

Plan by region! Cluster schools in one area and visit several during the same trip. Even a quick stop at the admissions office counts as demonstrated interest.

What questions should I ask during a tour? 

Ask about campus life, favorite traditions, housing, clubs, and what students do for fun. You’ll get insights that go beyond brochures and websites.

Is it really worth doing a self-guided tour?

Yes! If an official tour isn’t available, walk the campus, visit common spaces, and drop an info card at admissions—every visit helps you get a feel for fit.

Why is it important to take notes after a visit? 

Campuses start to blend together over time. Writing down your first impressions helps you remember what felt right (or not) once you’re comparing options later.

How do parents fit into the visit process?

Parents should observe, listen, and give students time to reflect before sharing their opinions—this helps students make decisions based on their own comfort and goals.