Top Tips for an Effective College Visit


Monday, May 31, 2021

When visiting a college, it is crucial that students make sure their visit is as effective as possible, as it may help them determine if they want to spend the next four years of their lives there.



Visiting colleges and universities’ campuses is highly recommended for prospective students when the time of starting the college application process comes to get a closer look at the place where they may be attending for the next four years. 

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

Whether you are visiting campuses online or in-person, there are still some tips that can help you take advantage of the experience.

Start planning as early as possible


In the senior year of high school, students have a lot to fit into their tight schedule, which is why leaving campus visits to the last minute. 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. 

Check out other campuses nearby


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

Explore various virtual tour options


If you are interested in some schools that are too far to make an initial in-person visit, it might be advisable to 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. 

Consider drive-through visits


Some schools have launched drive-through tours for students and families. 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. 

Investigate the local community


Even though the most essential thing you need to get to know is the college, its facilities, its reputation, among other aspects, getting to know the surrounding community where they may live and work when off campus is also important. 

Get students’ perspectives


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. 




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