What to Look for in a College Tour
You can learn a lot about what it's like to attend a college by visiting their campus. Here are a few things to consider when touring colleges.
By Melissa Ortiz — June 15, 2023
Whether you have already applied to college or are just starting to think about it, visiting a college in person is always a good idea. You can learn a lot about what it's like to attend a college by visiting their campus that you can't glean from their website. However, with so much to consider when choosing a college, tracking what to look for during a college visit can be hard. Here are a few things to consider when touring colleges:
Housing options
Your dorm will be one of the most important places on campus. It's important to pay attention to the condition and size of the dorms, including the communal spaces and bathrooms within the dorm buildings. Remember that dorms in most colleges are rather small and on the older side, so you'll be in shared and close quarters with many of your peers. However, there are likely many options for dorms with varying degrees of size and style. Further, pay attention to who is allowed to live in which dorms. For example, some dorm buildings or floors are restricted to a specific gender, or they may be coed. Also, dorm buildings are often designated for a certain class, such as freshmen only. Take note of your housing options throughout your years of living away from home, including off-campus housing.
Dining halls
Food is another essential in college and you'll want to know all of your meal and snack options throughout the day. Pay attention to where dining halls or food options are available throughout campus and their opening and closing hours. Some dining halls have designated hours for each meal instead of being open throughout the day, which means you'll have to plan around all your meals. If you have any food restrictions, research how easy and feasible it is to access the food you need for every meal.
Academic buildings
Academic buildings, especially those that hold classes within your major, are another place where you'll spend much of your time in college. Be sure to look inside the building to get an idea of the condition of the building and what your classrooms will look like. Further, look for communal learning and study spaces within the building, as well as any facilities or technology that may be required of your major.
Student services centers
It may be hard to imagine now which kind of support and resources you'll need during college, but it's important to see what the college has to offer. In general, a college should have offices and centers for student services, residential services, counseling, physical and mental health services, financial aid, campus safety, recreation centers, and career services. You can also look for more specialized student services that may be important to you, such as commuter services, disability services, first-generation student services, and affiliated groups and clubs. The earlier you know about everything the college has to offer you support-wise, the more you can take advantage of them.
Library
Whether you're living on or off campus, the library will be a crucial place for your studies. Take a look inside to see the study space setup, the technology available to you, and the extensiveness of the library's books and other resources.
Surrounding areas
While the campus itself is crucial to your college experience, it is also important to explore the surrounding areas. A rural, suburban, or city campus will provide varying academic and nonacademic experiences — the location of a college can offer you different opportunities around housing, volunteering options, and jobs (both during and after college).
Size of campus
Notice the size of the campus and student body (which you may want to research ahead of time). How long does it take to get from one end of the campus to the other? Will you need a bike or scooter to get to your classes on time? Is there parking on campus if you need a car? Further, some colleges have multiple campuses and institutions where you will take classes or work, such as affiliated hospitals, so make sure to tour those areas as well.
Student body
Ideally, you will be touring the campus during a time when class is in session. This is a good way to get a feel of the student body, its diversity, demographics, and if the students seem happy. If you are able to speak with any current students, be sure to ask them about their experience — they are your best resource!
Before your visit, you should research and make a checklist of your general college priorities, as well as specific questions to the college. Take notes of your gut reactions and thoughts of the campus according to your checklist — once you visit and research many colleges, it can be hard to remember exactly what you liked and didn't like about a school.
It's also important to note that it may also not be feasible to physically visit all the colleges you're interested in, especially if you're out of state. Most colleges now have virtual tour options on their website. If you go this route, it is especially important to set up a talk with an admissions person or current student to answer your questions. Many students now post videos of their experiences in college either through the college's or their own social media. This is a good way to see the day-to-day life in college. '
And remember — be open to visiting colleges that you may not be completely sold on yet, because being on campus is a totally different experience than what you see online — you never know what it'll be like in person, so give yourself the option to see for yourself!
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa has ten years of experience working in research and administration in several nonprofits and higher education institutions. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
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