Why Visit Colleges

A key part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. And a great way to get more information is to visit the colleges in person.

Of course, visiting colleges may not be possible for everyone, but it's a good idea to make the trips, if you can. It can help you determine whether a college is the right place for you.

Get a Firsthand View

A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. A college catalog, brochure or website can only show you so much. To really get a feel for the college, you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class and visit the dorms.

Get Answers to Your Questions

A visit also gives you the chance to talk to students, faculty, and financial aid and admission officers. You can get answers to important questions, including:

What is the average class size and the student-to-faculty ratio? Axe most classes taught by professors or by teaching assistants?
What is the campus meal plan like? How is the food? What are the options?
What is the makeup of the current freshman class? Is the campus fairly diverse?
What's the social scene like? What kinds of activities are available?
Is there plenty of dorm space or is there a housing crunch?
How many students are commuters and how many are campus residents?

Use this checklist for campus visits to remind yourself of everything you want to do once you get to campus.

Your family members can also participate in the visit and any information sessions. They can help you think through your decision about which colleges to apply to, and ultimately, which college to attend.

Walking around the campus can give you a feel for what a college is really like.

Get Valuable Information

Pick up any official college material you see, such as brochures and financial aid forms. Don't forget to get business cards, too, so you'll have a real, live contact if you have a question about admission or financial aid.

Student newspapers and activity calendars give you a sense of what campus life is really like. Check out bulletin boards to see what bands are coming to the campus, what parties are advertised, what internships are posted, and generally what the day-to-day energy of the place is.

Get Ready to Decide

Ultimately, it's your decision. Listen to your gut. Do you feel comfortable walking around campus? Do you feel at home? Do you click with the students and faculty? Is this what you imagined college to be like? Spending time on a campus helps you determine whether a college is a good fit.

Adapted from Campus Visits and College Interviews by Zola Dincin Schneider.

Campus Visits: Before You Go

Visiting colleges is a great way to get a feel for what college is like. And when the time comes, it can help you decide if a specific college is right for you.

Exploring campuses is well worth your while. You don't have to travel far -visiting local colleges is just as valuable. Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay.

Arrange a Visit

All colleges have admission offices that can help you plan your visit. Your high school may organize group tours of nearby colleges. And you can plan your own informal visit to a college campus. Take these important first steps:

Contact the college admission office through the college's website or by email or phone to get details and make a reservation.
Talk to your counselor about joining an organized tour of campuses you might not get to visit otherwise.
Schedule time to be on your own. Walk around the public areas of the college and don't be shy about asking students questions.

What to Expect

Campus visits can range from a quick hour to an overnight stay, from a casual guided tour to a formal presentation. Be sure to ask how long the whole visit will take so you can be prepared.

Most campus visits will include the following:

An information session. An admission representative talks to you or your group about the college before the campus tour.
A campus tour. These are usually led by current students. You'll see the main parts of the campus and have a chance to ask questions.

At many colleges, you can also arrange to do the following:

Attend a class.
Meet with a professor.
Meet with an admission officer.
Meet with a financial aid officer.
Attend a club meeting or a sports practice session.
Eat in the dining hall.

Spend the night in a dorm.

Get Ready

Before your visit, you should get prepared:

Explore the college's official website and review any materials the college has sent you. This will help you come up with questions specific to that college.
Make a list of questions to ask both staff and students. You can use the Campus Visit Checklist as a starting point.
Get a map of the college campus and check where the admission office is. This will help ensure that you're on time for your visit.

When you're ready to go, remember to do the following:

Pack a notebook and a camera so you can record your impressions. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to forget details after you've seen a few colleges.
Make fair comparisons of the colleges you visit.

When to Visit

How to Schedule Your Campus Visits

Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps in choosing a college. If possible, it's best to visit colleges before your applications are due. That way, you can be confident you'd be happy at any of the colleges you're applying to.

It's also best to go is when the college is in session. That way, you'll get to see it when classes are meeting and day-to-day activities are taking place.

Plan your visit in advance and make sure classes will be in session.

How to Pick a Date

Below are some guidelines on when to visit. Plan your visit well ahead of time, so you can make sure that you see what you need to see and meet with the people who can tell you what you need to know.

During the Week

Mondays through Thursdays are ideal for visits since campuses are generally in full swing. Visiting on a Friday may not be as practical, as students, faculty and staff might be busy with social activities starting Friday afternoon.

High school holidays that fall on Mondays are often great opportunities for making college visits. Many colleges are in session on these days - and you won't be missing any of your high school classes.

The Best Seasons

The late summer and early September before senior year are convenient times to visit, since many colleges begin their fall semester as early as mid-August.

The spring of junior year is a good time if you've already researched colleges. Spring break is also good if you play fall sports or are considering applying under early action or early decision plans, which usually have application deadlines in November of senior year.

It may be more useful for seniors to wait until the fall through winter to make their visits.

That timing can help seniors narrow college lists.

After You've Been Accepted

Many colleges invite their accepted candidates to spend a few days on campus before the May 1 reply date to encourage them to enroll. This is a good opportunity to make some in-depth comparisons between the colleges that have accepted you.

However, if you're planning to wait to visit colleges until after you've received acceptances, keep in mind that you may have only a few weeks to visit and make your decision. Most colleges don't mail acceptance letters before April, and the standard reply date is May 1.

When Not to Go

Check specific dates with each college so you don't arrive when the campus is deserted.

Call the college or look on the college's website for the academic calendar to find out when breaks, reading periods and exam periods are scheduled.

Colleges are not in session during:

Thanksgiving weekend

Winter and spring breaks
Christmas Week
Summer, unless there is a summer session

College classes don't meet during:

Reading period
Saturdays and Sundays
Exam weeks

The admission office may be closed ot visitors at certain times. For example, admission officers may be too busy to meet with you in May and April —that's when they're reviewing applications. Check with the college.