Tips for Scheduling a College Visit
You’ve gone on a deep dive through the college brochures and websites, seeking to learn everything you can about your top university choices.
Nothing compares, however, to an in-person visit. Actually getting your feet on campus grounds can be the best way to get a real feel for the atmosphere — and your fit. Unless you have relatives or friends who have access to the campus, you need to do a little planning before you go.
7 Steps to Get You Started on a Successful In-Person Visit
It’s important to remember that the pandemic hasn’t totally abated, and each university may have its own safety protocols. Take nothing for granted. To plan your visit:
- Take a Virtual Tour of the Campus
Online tools are increasingly useful for students — especially if the colleges you’re interested in are far away. Before you commit to an in-person visit, see if your preferred school has a virtual tour available. You may also want to check social media pages and hashtags associated with the school to see what types of posts and photos ordinary students have posted.
- Talk to Your Guidance Counselor
As we’ve discussed before, high school guidance counselors stay informed about current college events, and they can be a treasure trove of useful information. Ask your guidance counselor if they know of any organized tours or have connections that can help you make the most of your tour.
- Contact the School’s Admissions Office
Whether you email or call, you want to make sure the admissions office is aware of your plans and can schedule a time to meet with you. This will also give you a chance to ask about whether they have anybody available to give you a tour or if overnight visits are possible.
- Ask If You Can Attend a Class or Meet a Professor
When you talk to the admissions office, ask if it is possible for you to audit a class session so that you can see what it is like — and maybe even meet with a professor. This may be particularly important if you have a major in mind and you want to see what the faculty-student interactions are like in that department.
- See If You Can Meet with a Financial Aid Officer
Economic issues may or may not be a concern, but it never hurts to discuss the potential for scholarships and grants with the financial aid department. You could pick up some new information and some invaluable advice while you’re there.
- Look for Self-Guided Tours on the Campus Website
Many universities have set up “self-guided” walking tours that visitors can use at their leisure. (This is also a great option if you’re worried about social distancing.) Walking the campus will let you learn more about its history — but the real benefit is that you’ll get a close view of the student body. That may help you decide how comfortable you are with a particular campus.
- Schedule a Tour of the Surrounding City or Town
You don’t want to overlook the area surrounding campus, either, since that can heavily influence your college experience. Most major college towns have visitor centers, and many have guided tours. At a minimum, you want to do a little exploration of the local community to make sure it’s what you anticipate.
When you’re done with your tour, don’t forget to send a letter (or email) of thanks to the admissions office, the financial aid counselor or anybody else who helped make your trip a success. Your visit — and your thoughtfulness — will demonstrate your interest and your character (and that can’t hurt your prospects).
