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.)