How to Make the Most Out of College Visits


Tuesday, November 30, 2021

When visiting a college, students must take advantage of this experience to the fullest, as it may help them determine whether that college is the place where they want to spend the next three or four years of their lives.



Visiting colleges is probably the most interesting part of the college application process, as it gives students the opportunity to get to know the facilities where they might be spending the next years of their lives. 

There’s no better way to figure out whether a campus will feel like home other than visiting the college. For that reason, it is highly recommended to visit all the colleges you are considering, to consider all your options deeply and make sure you choose the right college for you.

What are college visits like?


The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the ways in which we do many things, and campus visits are not an exception. However, colleges and universities had to adapt to this situation and implemented some safety measures to make sure students can still visit the campus and have the college student experience first hand while taking care of their health. Some of these measures include limited in-person tours that adhere to social distancing and other safety measures, virtual and guided campus tours online, among other things. 

As life goes back to normal as much as possible, students are able to visit colleges and universities the way it used to be before the pandemic.

No matter whether you are visiting campus online or in-person, there are some tips that can help you get the most out of your visits to the colleges of your choice.

1. Plan early


Seniors have a lot to fit into their tight schedule, which is why leaving campus visits to the last minute is not a good idea. It is recommended that students start visiting colleges even before their senior year, so that they have more time to assess all the options more thoroughly and avoid making a rushed decision. 

2. Check out other campuses nearby


When visiting a college in person, it could be a great opportunity to visit other campuses nearby. This way, you don’t have to travel twice to the same city and will be able to maximize the trip by investigating more options. Make sure you thoroughly study the city or area you are visiting beforehand, so that you don’t miss out on any campus. 

3. Explore various virtual tour options


Are you interested in some schools that are too far to make an initial in-person visit? We recommend you take a virtual tour first, which you can do from the comfort of your home. 

This way, you are still able to have a personalized tour and assess the college without having to travel in case it ends up not being what you expected. If the virtual tour makes you fall for that college, you can then take an in-person tour with more information on your hands. 

4. Consider drive-through visits


Some schools have launched drive-thru tours for students and families since last year. This allows students and families to know the campus while taking care of their health and others’. During these drive-through tours, visitors follow a pilot car through campus and call in to hear a narration on their phones as they pass campus facilities and landmarks. 

5. Explore the local community


Of course it is most important that you get to know the college, its facilities, and whether it is the right one for you, but getting to know the surrounding community where you may live and work when off campus while you’re at it is also advisable.

6. Talk to current students


The best way to really get to know what a student's experience in a college is about is asking students. They will provide you with opinions about academics, facilities, dining services, student life, opportunities, safety, among many other aspects about their experience on campus. 

With these tips, you will be able to take advantage of your college visits to the fullest, which will help you choose the right college for you.




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