Visiting a college campus is a great way to access information as well as to get a feel for the overall atmosphere of a particular school. Schools may feel very different than what is conveyed through their literature and on their website. Therefore, it is very beneficial for prospective students to make a campus visit.

Nothing can replace a firsthand experience. You will get more out of your tour if you do a little preparation.  A good visit will often include a tour of the campus, a meeting with the admissions staff, and a meeting with the financial aid office. You may want to have lunch in the school dining hall or even spend the night on campus. After visiting, write down some notes immediately. After several visits, you will find you get mixed up about what you heard where. Use your list and try to evaluate how well the school matched up with your personal criteria. Try to imagine yourself living on that campus for four years.

Tips For Setting Up A College Visit

• When setting up a visit to a college or university, it is important to set up your visit at least two weeks in advance. Surprise visits are usually not productive visits for you or the college.
• For many schools, you can schedule a campus visit online through their website. You can also call the admissions office to schedule a visit.
• Before you contact the school you plan to visit, check out their web page and see if there are certain areas of campus that you are especially interested in seeing, for example: the work-out facility, library, etc.
• Ask if you are able to meet with a faculty member in the area that interests you.
• Ask if you are able to attend a class.
• It can be very beneficial to visit a college or university when school is in session. You want to get the feeling of what the campus is like with students there.

What To Do Before You Go

In order to maximize your college visit, it is important to do some work before you arrive on campus. Before visiting the college, it is important you make a list of questions to ask. While you are on campus, you want to get as much information as possible. You will most likely have your own list of questions, but here are some questions to get you started.

Admissions

• What are your admission standards/requirements?  
• What is required in your application process?  
• Do you offer early decision or early action? Do you have rolling admission or set deadlines?

Financial Aid

• What is the total cost of attending your college?  
• What types of financial aid does the college offer and how do I apply?
• What is the average amount of debt a student has when they graduate?
• What kinds of campus jobs are available to students?

Student Population

• What is the gender and geographic breakdown of your students?
• How diverse is your school community?
• What do students like most about your school? Least?

Campus Life

• What types of extra-curricular activities does your college offer?
• What do students do for fun? What do students do on the weekends?
• Where do most students live?
• Is housing guaranteed?
• What activities and services are available to help students transition from high school to their freshman year of college?

Academics

• What majors do you offer?
• What is the most popular major on campus?
• When do you need to declare a major?
• Do professors teach classes? Does your college use teaching assistants?
• What is the professor to student ratio?
• What is the average class size?
• What type of advising program do you have for your students?
• What types of academic assistance is available?
• What types of support services are available to students?
• What percentage of students study abroad and what types of programs are available?
• What percentage of students graduate in 4 years?
• What percentage of graduates find jobs or enter graduate school after graduation?
• What career placement services are available?

What To Do While You Are There

• Stop a student and talk to them, ask them questions about what they like and don't like about the college.
• Introduce yourself to everyone you meet - make connections.
• Pick up a campus calendar or newspaper to see what events and hot topics are taking place on campus.
• Talk with the admissions counselor and ask them questions. Such as:
  • What impresses you the most in a student's application?
  • What are you looking for when you read students' essays? 
  • What are some of the things you hate to see in an application?
  • Are admission decisions need-blind? 
  • What kind of student does well here? What kind of student doesn't do well here?
  • What do you think your school is best known for?
  • What changes do you see taking place on campus in the next five years?
  • Are there on-campus jobs available for students?
  • How are roommates assigned?
  • How do meal plans work?

Final Thoughts

• Don't worry that everyone will think you are a high school student, you will fit in just fine.
• Ask yourself: "Can I see myself here?"
• Consider visiting a school more than once if you really like it. Your opinion of a school may change as you go through the process.