In-Person Visits

Before You Go

• Look into scheduling a visit during a preview weekend, when the college or university will have planned activities for prospective students, and you may even be able to stay on campus with current students. Consider a virtual tour if visiting isn’t possible.

• Think about the things you want in an ideal college, make a list to take along with you so you’ll remember to look for these things (location, living options, student activities, degree programs offered, community amenities, costs, etc.).

• If you’re not planning to visit during a planned preview event, schedule an appointment with an admissions officer to get all of your questions answered by an authoritative source.

• Consider contacting the department where you might want to study and find out if you can sit in on a class while you are visiting.

• Schedule a campus tour.

• Look at the campus events calendar online to see what extracurricular or athletic events are happening while you’re visiting, and plan to attend one you think you might enjoy.

• Plan to spend some time off-campus, learning about the community. Visit shops and restaurants, and attend a community event, if possible. You’re visiting the place you may end up living for the next 4-5 years, so you’ll want to make sure it’s a good fit!

Once You Arrive – Things to Look For

• Visit the financial aid office to pick up any forms you might need, and to ask questions you might have about assistance.

• Grab the student newspaper to learn about current events on campus and to find out more about the campus culture.

• Think about your plans to get around campus and the community: is there adequate transportation and/or parking for your lifestyle?

• Check out campus bulletin boards and check out what students are doing during your visit to see if the activities match your interests.

• Visit all of the campus housing options to see which would be the best fit for you. Stay overnight at one, if possible.

• Visit the places where students hang out on campus: libraries, student union building, and other gathering places where you can get a feel for the campus vibe.

• Talk to students and find out what they like about the school, and if there are any shortcomings you might want to consider. Ask why they chose to attend, what kinds of things there are to do on the weekends, and any other questions that might help you make a decision.

• Talk to professors to see what they think about the opportunities you might be able to take advantage of considering the course of study you plan to pursue. What’s the department like, how much access would you have to help from faculty, are there extracurricular clubs or honor societies you could join related to your major, are there opportunities to study abroad?

• Check out the health and wellness facilities to see what kinds of amenities are available.

Virtual Visits

Prepare for Your Virtual Tour

• Think about the things you want in a college and make a list of questions (proximity to groceries, housing options, student activities, degree programs offered, community amenities, costs, etc.).
• If you are not attending a live virtual visit, schedule an appointment with an admissions officer to get all of your questions answered by an authoritative source.
• When the option is offered, sign up to talk to a current student. This is a great way to ask some questions and learn about someone else’s experience at the school.
• If possible, look up a digital copy of the student newspaper to learn about current events and glimpse the campus culture.
• Research the community surrounding the campus. Look up local projects, libraries, recreation centers, hiking trails, nearby ski mountains, public transportation options, and make a list of shops or restaurants you might like to try. You are investigating the place you may end up living for the next 4-5 years, so you want to make sure it is a good fit!

Explore ALL of the Virtual Events

• Many colleges and workforce training facilities offer robust virtual offerings. Students can now look forward to interactive exploration tools like live, 3D, 360-degree, and immersive tours that allow students to steer the experience. When in doubt, reach out to an admissions expert to ask about available online resources.
• Look for upcoming live events, Q&A sessions, and opportunities to schedule a one-on-one appointment. Many institutions even offer students a choice for those meetings e.g., email, text, call, or video conference.

Take Notes

• Keep a record of the schools you have (virtually) explored, and those you still want to. Bookmark your favorites and consider revisiting those virtual resources every few weeks to confirm your interest and/or compare them to any new favorite schools that you might have discovered.
• Remember, your tuition, class size, and the available programs—among other things—are important factors to weigh.
• Once you have narrowed down your list of favorites, consider planning an in-person visit. Or start following those institutions on social media.