We have also provided some frequently asked questions about college tours and sample questions to ask on a college visit. If you attend a boarding school, some schools even offer spring break trips for college tours based on their college matriculation lists.
- Planning questions in advance will allow you to compare colleges by using the same questions each time.
- Following a similar plan at each campus will ensure you check out the same facilities.
- Scheduling ahead will ensure you complete important tasks such as: meet with a professor, schedule an admission interview, or attend a lecture or special event.
- Planning ahead will help you feel more at ease so you know what to wear, how to get there, and have a notetaking plan in place.
How to Plan for a College Tour
- Make a list of colleges by working with your academic counselor. List colleges you think you would like to visit and make sure you meet the admission criteria.
- Research the colleges to shorten your tour list. Make sure you visit each college’s website to learn about academic programs (majors and minors), student life, extracurriculars and campus facilities. For a deeper dive, check out social media pages to get a feel for the campus culture, as well as read student reviews and articles.
- Visit diverse colleges on your safety and reach list, but there’s no need to visit them all. Your list may include: Ivy League universities, public universities, private universities, small liberal arts colleges, tuition-free ROTC universities, or tuition-free service academies.
- Before you reach out, these are things you should consider before scheduling a visit: campus size and college environment, class sizes and teaching styles, dorm and housing options, on-campus dining, location and surrounding community,
- Check college websites to schedule your visits or contact the office of admission for the best dates and times.
- Figure out the best way to take notes, record key information and take photos while on tour. This will be critical to comparing the pros and cons of each campus later on.
- Determine whether you want to stay in the dorms while visiting and inquire about details.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
- Prep for a college tour by preparing a list of questions in advance (see sample questions below).
- Determine drive time and plan for traffic, parking, and finding the tour starting point on campus.
- Check the college map in advance for parking and the location of the tour.
- Figure out what to wear on the campus visit (e.g. jacket, tie, comfortable shoes). Check weather for items such as: umbrella, sunscreen, etc.
- Contact the admissions office in advance with any questions or scheduling requirements (e.g. dress code, admission interviews, professor appointments, attend a lecture, arrange a stay in the dorms, or to attend a campus event).
Explore the Campus Facilities
- Make a list of all the places on campus you want to see. If you do not go to all of the places during the tour, you can make a point to visit them on your own after the tour ends..
- Important places to check out on college campuses include: classrooms, lecture halls, dorms, dining facilities, athletic facilities, visual and performing arts facilities, and student union.
Networking and Connections
- Make a point to ensure the tour guide covers the questions you have prepared.
- Build a connection with the admission office by arranging a personal interview or appointment.
- Arrange an appointment to meet with a professor in a department of interest.
- Check out student government and leadership opportunities if this has been important to you in high school.
- Speak with students and/or alumni during or after tours as appropriate.
Prepare Questions for the Campus Visit
Here are some possible questions to ask on a college visit below. We recommend that you do not ask questions that are easy to find on the college website or questions the guide has already covered on tour. Also, avoid highly personal questions and keep them more general for the whole group.
- Academics – What is the average classroom size? Do you offer special support or tutoring if needed? Do you offer internships?
- Athletics – What is the process to play or try out for a team sport? Do you offer athletic scholarships? Similar to private schools, most colleges offer a variety of athletic and fitness options.
- Campus Life – Are all rooms shared or can you get a private dorm room? What kinds of meals are offered? Where do students live off-campus? Do you offer fraternity and sorority housing? If you currently reside at a boarding school, you already have some experience, so ask questions to better understand the differences between college dorms vs. boarding school residential life.
- Extracurriculars – If you currently attend a prep school with lots of clubs, then you may continue to pursue many of your personal interests. Ask about the various clubs and organizations on campus.
- Transportation – What are the closest modes of transportation (e.g. rapid transit, trains, airports, shuttles, Lyft or Uber availability)?
- Tuition and Fees – Do you offer payment plans, scholarships, grants, loans, work study programs or other ways to address tuition and expenses?
10 Frequently Asked Questions About College Campus Visits
- How do you contact the office of admission? Check college websites and look for the admissions section. On that page, you should be able to find phone numbers, email addresses, and inquiry forms.
- Is an information session part of the tour? According to College Wise, a college counseling service, “information sessions are typically held at the admissions office prior to the campus tour. Groups of students and parents are usually given a short presentation on the college and offered the chance to ask any questions they have to get more information about the school’s offerings, admissions requirements, and more.”
- When are tours scheduled? If this info isn’t on the college website, make sure you are clear about how to schedule a campus tour. Most colleges offer tours, information sessions, and interviews during the week: Monday through Friday. Keep in mind that admission tours may be available on Saturdays during the academic year but are only offered on weekdays during the summer months.
- What month is best for college tours? Check the website or call the office of admission to plan your timing. Spring break (March-April) are good times to visit, but you can also consider the summer months or weekend options.
- How long are most tours? Ask how long the tour will be, but allow at least a half day for each college visit. Campus tours typically last 1-2 hours. Ask the admission office about other steps to handle while visiting so you allow enough time (e.g. interviews, meeting with professors, lectures, and special events on campus).
- Is the college in session during spring break? Given that spring breaks tend to differ widely, you have a good chance of seeing an active campus during your spring break. An easy way to find dates is to check this college spring break vacation schedule by Student City or ask the admission office.
- What is the best way to visit multiple colleges? For instance, if you live in San Diego County, you could go on college tours to any of the following: UCSD, SDSU, USD, as well as colleges in Orange County (Chapman University, Soka University) and Los Angeles (UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Claremont Colleges). Avoid doing more than two tours in one day.
- Is the college close enough to visit during spring break? It all depends on your location. For example, let’s say your family is visiting Boston on a vacation, you could check out Boston College, Harvard University, and MIT. If you’re interested in colleges in New York, you could consider visiting Cornell, NYU, and Columbia University. Map out a plan to ensure you have time to see all campuses on your list.
- On college tours, do you get to speak to faculty members? Some colleges may include a faculty member on tour or arrange personal meetings for you, but make sure it is scheduled in advance. Choose a department based on your intended college major and meet with a professor in that department. Check the website for key academic information and prepare a list of questions.
- Can students sit in on a lecture during a college visit? According to The Princeton Review, “Even if you don’t stay over, most schools will allow you to sit in on lectures. Browse the course catalog before you arrive, or ask the admissions office what classes are in session that day.”
Additional Resources:
Empowerly – 7 Tips for Choosing Which Colleges to Visit.
College Express – Top Tips to Help You Decide Which Colleges to Visit in Person
Interested in a College Prep Boarding School Geared for Boys? Feel free to contact us at Army and Navy Academy, located on a beachfront campus in Southern California’s Carlsbad Village.
Army and Navy Academy is a college preparatory school with boarding and day options. Geared exclusively for boys in grades 7-12, we are a model school for boys in middle school and high school and are ranked in the top six military schools in California. If we’re not the right fit, we will make every effort to provide other information. WASC Accredited.
Army & Navy Academy Admission Office: Phone: 888-762-2338