Touring Colleges: Quick Tips

By: Sabrina Yang '26

As application season rolls around, students and parents inevitably find themselves touring a college campus. I have, personally, found myself on many college tours in my free time, and after a few tours, I learned what to look for. So, how do you make the most of your visit to a college campus? Let’s break it down.

1. See what information is already available. There is no purpose in hyper-focusing on content in an information session that can be found on the school’s website such as majors or application information. Many schools have the same education and housing systems. Instead, take the information session as a chance to get a feel of whether admissions officers and students take the school seriously.

2. Find the right person for the right question. Unless explicitly stated, the majority of students or staff hosting college visits do not have major-specific information. Ask the admissions office. Tour guides can’t tell you exactly how to get into their college. Ask the admissions office. Of course, the admissions office is not all-knowing. Any questions about student life or campus traditions should be directed to the tour guides. 

3. Choose the right student tour guide. Some colleges will split visitors among a few tour guides. This is a reminder that you don’t have to stay in a specific group. Students are what make a college; when choosing a tour guide, the priority is to select a student with a similar area of interest as you. Alternatively, you can choose the most enthusiastic tour guide because a good first impression often comes from enthusiasm.

4. It’s all about the vibe. This may be the most generic point on the list, but it remains important. Information becomes repetitive as you visit more campuses, so your best option is to evaluate each college based on its vibe. Do you like the environment? The students? How do the people walk? How do they talk? I find the best way to assess colleges is just to give a rating out of 10 based completely on how I feel. Remember to keep a record of each college to keep things organized.
College visits are an essential part of both assessing candidates and gauging your own preferences. It is not about academics but rather about community. Pay attention to the small details and make the most of your time on each campus. Happy touring!