Visiting Colleges Q&A

Getting the Most from Your College Visits

When should I visit?
Make plans early. Visits during the school year are the best; summer visits are better than no visit!

How do I arrange a college visit?

  • Since it’s your visit, students should make the calls.
  • Call ahead! If you want to arrange meetings with coaches or professors, meet with special program personnel, or stay overnight, make arrangements at least 2 weeks, preferably a month, in advance.  Ideally, an overnight Friday to Saturday stay will afford an opportunity to visit classes and assess social life on campus.
  • Try to schedule no more than one or two colleges per day. Use a college visit comparison chart to record your observations.

Where should I stay?
The best place to stay to sample dorm life and meals is one of the residence halls that accommodate freshman during the school year.  Many campuses have overnight-stay programs to match prospective students with a current “student ambassador.”

What should I bring?

  • Letter from campus confirming date and location of interview/tour/prospective student orientation.
  • List of questions
  • Copy of unofficial transcript (if requested by college)
  • Campus map
  • Parking permit (if necessary)
  • Letter or e-mail confirming overnight residence hall visit
  • Confirmed reservations about accommodations (if not staying on campus)
  • Camera
  • College comparison charts/notebook
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Copy of your activities resume (if interview scheduled)

What areas should I investigate during a campus visit?
Many of the answers may be found on the school's website, view books or other campus publications you have received prior to visiting. Read them?

Academic Environment

  • Sit in on freshman classes.
  • Meet with professors in areas/subjects of interest.
  • Speak informally with several enrolled students-not just your tour guide.
  • Examine adequacy of academic and computer resources in libraries, labs and dorms.
  • Examine classroom buildings and facilities for adequacy, state-of-repair and being up-to-date.
  • Assess academic climate (level of competition, intellectual level of students).
  • Determine accessibility of faculty members to students and how introductory courses are staffed.
  • Determine how academic experiences extend beyond the classroom. (Internships, partnerships, etc.).
  • Determine what type of academic advisement program is established.
  • Who does the advising?

Social Environment

  • Determine the availability of extra-curricular activities, intramurals etc.
  • Examine the availability and accessibility of recreational opportunities.
  • Ascertain the relationship between the campus and surrounding community.
  • Determine the diversity of political/cultural values on campus.
  • Evaluate cultural events and resources.
  • If applicable, determine the extent of influence of fraternities and sororities on campus social life.

Student Services

  • Evaluate personal/social counseling availability.
  • Evaluate career development and placement services.
  • Evaluate graduate school advising.
  • Evaluate special services pertaining to your unique needs (mobility, learning disabilities services, tutorial options, etc.)