Campus Visit Guide: Before, During, and After

A campus visit can tell you more in three hours than weeks of online research. Below is an easy framework to follow before, during, and after to help you make the most of each campus visit.

Preparing for Your Visit

• Make a list of your priorities before heading to campus. If you are using our guide, this may be as simple as putting a star next to the two or three most important criteria.
• Do online research first. Spend 10 minutes learning a little about majors, student makeup, admissions requirements, size and location. Take note of anything you want to see or follow up on during your visit.
• Schedule more than the official tour. Reach out to the admissions office to see if it's possible to sit in on a class, meet with a professor, or tour/learn about special programs (such as honors or dual majors).
• Visit when school is in session. If possible, try not to visit during a break or over the summer. Campuses feel remarkably different when students are buzzing around. This will give you a much better sense of campus culture.
• Use a consistent evaluation. Whether it's our tool or another, use the same evaluation and ask similar questions at each school. Rank each school shortly after your visit while the experience is fresh!

During Your Visit

• Go on the official school tour. If the college offers a special tour for your major, make sure you take that one!
• Check out the area. Get a recommendation from the staff or tour guide for places to check out nearby. Make sure to have lunch in a food hall or neighborhood hangout and, if possible, catch a campus concert or sporting event.
• Talk to a few students or alumni who are not tour guides. Ask the person behind you in the frozen yogurt line what the school is like. Talk to the student barista about their favorite part of campus. Check with the student staff at the library to find out how they got their job on campus.
• Read the bulletin boards — especially in the student center. This will give you a good feel for what is actually happening on campus and how you might get involved.
• Pay attention to logistics. How far is the walk between campus? Is there public transportation? Is the library open when you like to study? Are there enough food options for you?

After the Visit

• Evaluate your visit on the same day. This is really important so that you don't forget a small, but important interaction or gut feeling.
• Check your impressions against your priority list. Do not let your family's excitement or indifference color your feelings. Try not to get too excited about one small detail (like a singular internship opportunity) if the campus does not meet your overall needs.

Campus visits are one piece of a much bigger process. We will cover 20 great questions to ask your tour guide in a future post. Download our free guide to take with you on every campus visit!