11 things you need to check out during a college visit

Whether you’ve already chosen your dream school or you’re still looking for the one that’s the perfect fit for you, there are some things you should check out during your college visit. College tours allow you to get better acquainted with the school, and knowing where to look can help you determine if it’s the right fit for you. Below, we’ve explained why you should visit campuses, provided some prep tips, and listed off 11 things you need to take a look at during your college visit.

Here’s a list of 11 places you don't want to miss during your campus tour.

1. Classrooms and department offices

What are the classrooms like? Are they comfortable? Are they equipped with state-of-the-art technology? (Is that important to you?) Based on your location and the time of year, you might also want to ask the tour guide a few questions – what are they like in the winter, when it’s cold? What are they like in the heat of summer?

Take a trip to your major’s buildings, in particular, as you’ll be spending most of your time there. If possible, visit your department’s office, too. You might even have a chance to ask a professor or department head there a few questions about the program.

Some college tours allow you to sit in on a real class. However, if this isn’t an option, don’t sneak into a classroom while the class is in session. The professor probably won’t like that, and you could be seen as a disruption.

2. Gym / rec center

Visit the school’s gym or student recreational center to view the athletic facilities, equipment, and amenities, such as tennis courts, swimming pools, the track, or weight rooms. If you’re a student-athlete, you’ll likely be able to take a separate tour of your sport’s facility.

Check the hours and any specific use requirements, including membership fees. How busy does it get? Are there any additional resources, such as on-campus personal trainers?

3. Dorms

Some first-year students are required to live on campus for the first year to help them get used to the college experience. If you’re going to be living on campus, or are at least considering it, you’ll definitely want to check the dorms out. Depending on the time of year, you might not be able to tour an entire dormitory, but colleges often have a staged room for you to view.

You can ask the tour guide about space, number of roommates, how roommates are assigned, security, banned items, included furniture, and overall quality.

4. Library

Be sure to check out the library - and go beyond the books. Do they have solid reference materials, study spaces, and computer labs? What are the library hours during the school year? During mid-terms and finals? Some institutions have 24-hour libraries, while others only make them 24-hours during finals.

5. Student resource centers

From health centers to career centers, what campus resources does the college offer its students?

For the health center, note its location and hours. If it’s far away, is there available transportation? How is the quality of the space and service? Do they offer counseling? If the center can’t see you or you have a serious concern, is there an urgent care or hospital nearby? How does the health center work with your insurance?

Colleges also have career counseling, with advisors who might help you choose a major, explore potential jobs, find internships, and prepare for interviews. What types of services does your career center include?

Other resource facilities you’ll want to look into include tutoring centers, IT hubs, women’s centers, advisory departments, and financial aid offices. Some schools even have video game rooms and bowling alleys.

6. Dining halls

Let’s get to the important stuff — the food! No, seriously, what’s the food like? On some rural and remote campuses, the cafeteria may be your only option, unless you intend to drive to nearby towns or cities. Others might have nationally recognized brands on campus. Get a taste of what is on the menu and make sure the hours work for when you get hungry.

If the school has a confusing meal plan, now is the perfect time to ask about it.

7. Off-campus housing

Even if you plan on living on campus the first year, it’s still a good opportunity to check out the off-campus housing. At some colleges, sophomores live off-campus rather than on. Take a quick look at the options and locations around town. Depending on the area, you might be limited to just houses or just apartments.

8. Extracurriculars and clubs

Beyond sports, are there any extracurriculars and clubs you’d like to join? Greek life (fraternities and sororities)? Larger schools tend to have more options to choose from. Take a look at club facilities and any Greek life houses.

Your tour guide may have limited knowledge about a majority of the available extracurriculars, but they can refer you to someone who knows more. You can also ask about the process of creating a new club.

9. Campus

As you walk through the campus during your tour, don’t forget to look around. It’s not just the interiors that matter. Do the buildings seem well-kept? Is the campus lively? As students pass you by, do they look happy? Consider the entire campus, too – is it too big, too small, or just right?

If possible, try to visit the school during different seasons. A campus on a dreary day won’t look as impressive as a campus on a beautiful spring day.

10. Surrounding area

You won’t be studying in your dorm or in the classroom the entire time. You’ll likely explore the surrounding town or city quite a bit. What is the community like? Is it rural, suburban, or a larger city? Are there activities to do and places to visit? Consider what you like to do during your down time. For example, if you like to hike, are there plenty of trails nearby?

11. Transportation

While some towns are walkable, some campuses are cities unto themselves. Do they offer transportation? How frequently does it run? An on-campus bus can save you quite a bit of walking, something you’ll be thankful for on rainy days.

Towns and cities will also usually have their own transportation options. Some colleges have shuttles that go from campus to city hotspots.

If you’re bringing your car, ask about parking availability for first-years.

Why should you visit colleges?

You should absolutely visit potential colleges before you attend. Statistics only tell you so much. Touring the campus allows you to see if you can envision yourself studying there. Students can find their new dream school during these tours. Others may discover that what they thought was their dream college isn’t actually for them. Visits are also the perfect opportunity to ask questions and talk to current students.

The ideal time to plan a campus visit is before you apply. However, if you have a lot of schools on your list, the colleges are far away, or you’re on a tight budget, it might be too expensive to visit all of your target schools. In this case, you have a few options – you can mix and match these tactics, too.

• Take a virtual tour. Many colleges and universities offer online tours on their website and social media that take you to the most important places on campus. However, keep in mind that these tours are marketing materials and may not always give you a true idea of how the campus feels. You’ll want to take at least one trip to your choice before you enroll.
• Only visit your top choices. If you’re on a budget, only visit your top choices before you apply to save cash. You can schedule additional tours later as needed.
• Schedule tours after you’ve been accepted. Some students opt to only visit a campus after they’ve received their acceptance letter. In fact, schools often offer tours dedicated to those who have been accepted.

Self-guided vs. official tours

If possible, you should do both a self-guided and official tour. Official tours show you tailored versions of what schools want you to see, while self-guided options allow you to see a bit more of the campus. However, don’t go anywhere you’re not permitted – you could land in serious trouble with the college before you even apply.

How to prepare for a campus tour

You’ll need to do a few things to prepare for your campus tour so you can be sure you check out all the places listed below thoroughly.

• Research the college. If you have questions about the school, try finding the answers before the tour. If you’re unable to find them, make a running list of questions for your tour guide. You don’t want to ask questions that are easy to find the answers to.
• Review the tour itinerary. Where will your tour be taking you? Look at the map ahead of time to preview the route to help you tailor your questions. You can also note places to visit during your self-guided tour.
• Sign up for official tours. Most colleges require you to sign up for official tours in advance. Register early as spots do fill up, especially during school breaks.
• Read over the material they send you. After you register, your school will send information about the tour, including where to park and meet your tour group.
• Pack appropriately. You might want to bring a bookbag to the tour to hold any swag or information pamphlets the tour guide gives you. You’ll also need a notepad and pen. Bring a jacket even if it’s warmer outside – some rooms might be chilly.

In short, you’ll want to take in the big picture during your college visit. You won’t be looking at every nook and cranny, but you should have a good idea of the expected experience before you enroll in the school. After all, you’re going to live here for four years – you want to be sure you’re happy at the college you choose.

Other than that, enjoy the visit. This is an exciting time, so don’t stress so much that you forget to enjoy the ride. Take notes and pictures, and don’t forget to grab a school sweatshirt from the bookstore on your way out so you’ll remember the experience — regardless of where you decide to go.

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