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A college tour is the best way to get to know a college and help you decide if it’s a good fit for you. Check out our tips for making the most of these visits. Happy visiting!

Draft a list of questions

Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with questions when asked on the spot, so come prepared! For inspiration, check out this list of questions.

Schedule an official visit

You can do this through the admissions office. Be sure to schedule ahead of time because college tours can fill up quickly. If possible, choose a time when classes are in session, so you can get a feel of campus when it’s fully occupied. 

Avoid times like finals week or winter break as they are not an accurate depiction of daily campus life. Many colleges will allow you to customize your visit with options like attending a lecture, eating at the dining hall, or meeting with a professor. If you have already been admitted (congrats!), you should consider attending events tailored towards admitted students. 

Plan your unofficial campus visit

The official campus tour is going to be given by student tour guides employed by the admissions office. They are trained to highlight the “selling points” of campus. It’s important to take your own unofficial campus tour to get what a “day in the life” looks like.

Schedule in some extra time after your official tour to walk around on your own. Grab coffee in the student union and drive around the surrounding areas. If you already know someone who attends this school, pick their brain! But always remember that everyone’s experience will be different.

Take pics of your experience

Is the campus gym super important to you? Maybe you plan to be a drama  major, so the theatre will be the highlight of campus for you. Whatever that “thing” is for you, be sure to take photos or vlog your impression of these parts of campus. This will give you something to look back on when it comes time to compare your options.

Create a follow-up to do list

This will include the practical things like applying, sending test scores, and so on. But don’t forget to send a thank you to everyone you met with on your visit. It will not only bring smiles to their faces, but it will also reaffirm your interest and enthusiasm in the school. For more steps to take after your campus visit, check out this article.