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14 Tips for an Effective College Visit

Visiting a college can help a student determine if he or she wants to spend the next four years there.

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Finding the right fit.

For high school students in the process of researching a variety of colleges and universities , admissions professionals recommend scheduling campus visits to get a better feel for the schools. Some colleges track whether prospective students make an in-person visit and count it as "demonstrated interest," which could help admissions chances. For both students and families, campus visits are an important part of the process when choosing which college to attend. "They are very likely to show you things that you didn’t know you cared about. That’s a great first step," says Rachel Rubin, co-founder of admissions consulting company Spark Admissions. "It’s really important for families to think about what they want to know.” Here are 14 tips for how students can get the most out of college visits.

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• Start planning early.

As students get closer to the final year of high school, their schedules are filled trying to balance school and a social life – all while exploring potential college campuses. To ease the stress, students and families may want to make visits sooner, ideally before senior year. The College Board recommends spring of junior year as a good time to visit campuses for students who have already done the research on those colleges. College visits are a good use of downtime over spring break, as well. Late summer and early fall before senior year are also convenient times, the College Board website notes, adding that classes may already be in session, allowing prospective students a fuller glimpse of campus life.

• Ask questions.

A campus visit is a great chance to not only see the campus, but also to ask questions about the school and what the experience is like on campus. While some information can be found on a school's website, speaking with student ambassadors or school officials while visiting campus can provide additional important information necessary for making a smart college decision. "I think the best way to make the most of the tours is to ask a lot of good questions of the tour guide and to engage with any current students to get their opinion on life on the campus,” says Satyajit Dattagupta, chief enrollment officer and senior vice chancellor at Northeastern University in Massachusetts.

• Get student perspectives.

The largest population on any college campus is the student body. Given their collective experience, it's likely they'll have opinions to share on academics, facilities, dining services , student life and more. Talking to current students is a valuable part of vetting a college and can provide prospective students with unfiltered perspectives about the school and the student experience. "Talk to as many students as you can to get a flavor of the student population," says Liz Doe Stone, a senior private counselor for Top Tier Admissions, an admissions consulting company. "Email students from your high school who attend that school and ask to get together for coffee when you’re on campus."

• Explore college through the lens of campus media.

Student newspapers can be a valuable source of insight into what's happening at a college. But don't stop there. The College Board's campus visit checklist also recommends tuning in to the campus radio station and reading other campus publications such as literary reviews and department newsletters. This allows students to find out what issues are popular on campus, controversies happening, new programs being created, what students are excited about and trends to be aware of, Stone says. "The more that you can do ahead of time to get to know the campus culture so that you can ask good questions to current students, that’s another great way to get a more authentic sense of what’s going on or what it would be like to be a student there."

• Visit academic departments.

Along with being comfortable with the campus environment, students should explore academic departments that interest them. A great way to start can be touring facilities, sitting in on a class and meeting professors . This is a good way for students to learn about the areas where they might be spending the most time if they choose to attend school there, and it's also valuable information when comparing schools. For best results, email professors or administrators ahead of time to set up a meeting, Stone says, but even informal visits can be valuable.

• Check out other campuses nearby.

When visiting a college in person, prospective students should consider visiting other campuses nearby. Many major metro areas are home to multiple colleges, and even rural areas may have colleges that are surprisingly close together. As students plan their visits, families should take note of other options near the schools they intend to visit. "If you're going to spend some time traveling, whether it be across the state or across the country, you might as well try to maximize that and investigate other opportunities that are close and convenient," says Collin Palmer, associate vice president of enrollment management at Kent State University in Ohio.

• Learn about the local community.

While the college is the main attraction, students shouldn't overlook the surrounding community where they may live and work when off campus. Take time to discover coffee shops, restaurants and other places you might enjoy visiting frequently, and consider how the community might factor into your education aspirations, says Kent Hopkins, vice president for academic enterprise enrollment at Arizona State University and ASU Global. Determine whether the community will provide internship or externship opportunities or serve as a potential career launch pad, he says. Palmer adds that students should also consider whether they're looking for an urban or rural experience , or what size city they prefer.

• Visit a dining hall or student center.

The college dining hall is not only a place where many students consume a majority of their meals, but it also tends to be a community hub where students congregate to study or meet for clubs. Given the likelihood that much of a student's time will be spent in the dining hall or student center, experts say students and families should plan to eat at least one meal on campus to get a sense of available food options and other amenities. "That can be a great way not only to sample the on-campus food options, but also to have informal conversations with current students in line or at a nearby table,” Stone says. Some schools have particularly tasty options , and those with dietary restrictions should get a sense of whether the school can cater to their needs.

• Explore the campus library.

Another place where students spend significant time is the campus library. Many campuses have more than one library, and there's often variety in what each library offers. Some have coffee shops and restaurants. Stone notes that some are open-stack libraries, meaning students can browse, select and check out books themselves. Others are closed-stack, meaning library staffers retrieve the books for students. Similarly, some campus libraries offer a slew of private study rooms with modern technology available to use for various projects. Prospective students should use the campus visit to make sure the school library fits their academic needs.

• Explore various virtual tour options.

Some colleges may be too far from home for students to make an initial visit. Online tools allow prospective students to take virtual tours from the comfort of their couches. Students can take self-guided virtual tours or sign up for more interactive options such as 360-degree video and virtual reality. Experts say virtual tours are good substitutes for those unable to visit in person. Some guided in-person tours may not take students to all the places they want to see, but through virtual tours students can investigate other aspects of campus. Virtual tours are especially valuable for international students, experts say.

• Ask about campus safety.

With the amount of time traditional college students spend on campus, feeling safe on school grounds is an important factor to consider when exploring colleges. Prospective students should ask tour guides about campus safety policies. In virtual campus tours, students can ask guides or the admissions office for more information. Federal law requires colleges to release information related to crime on and around campus. Families can check annual security reports to see recent incidents on campus. If anything stands out as a cause for concern, ask the school for more information on campus safety . While on campus, asking students how comfortable they feel at the school is a good way to gauge how safe students generally feel, Hopkins says.

• Get financial aid information.

Along with understanding the culture of a school and the academic options it provides, students should research financial aid opportunities at a college. A campus visit is an opportunity to do just that. Finding out the types of aid available, such as merit-based and need-based, is one of the first questions students should ask when speaking with the financial aid office, Rubin says. “Students can also bargain for more money once they’re accepted, and that’s where they really have a leg up," she says. This can also help students budget for attending that school, Hopkins says, noting that families should be aware that cost of attendance is not the sticker price. Families should factor in room and board, travel expenses for students attending away from home and any aid or income that could help offset costs.

• Ask about disability accommodations.

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, any school that accepts federal money is legally required to provide accommodations for qualifying students with disabilities . Some do the bare minimum, but others have strong programming for students with disabilities because they have a high number of students needing services. Some charge fees for certain services, like tutoring, so experts suggest taking time on a college visit to meet with the disabilities services office to ask what’s available and at what cost. “It’s really important for students to understand to what extent they need to fight for these services and always be on top of their teachers and make sure their accommodation plan goes out to everybody at the start of each semester," Rubin says.

• Meet with clubs and organizations.

A big part of the college experience is the social component, and experts say students should make sure they attend a school where they can get involved in clubs and organizations. For example, students who are interested in joining a fraternity or sorority should check out Greek life housing and meet with the campus administrator overseeing Greek organizations. Those who enjoy sports recreationally should reach out to presidents or leaders of club sports organizations or someone who organizes intramural sports, Stone says. “I always tell students to talk to any extracurricular leaders tied into your interest,” she says. "So if you’re a violin player, speak to someone in the music department. If you love drama, talk to someone who is the head of the theater club."

Learn more about colleges.

Get more advice about how to choose a college and check out the complete rankings of the Best Colleges to find the school that's best for you. For more advice and information on selecting a college, connect with U.S. News Education on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook .

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When to Visit Colleges

How to schedule your campus visits.

Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps in choosing a college. It’s best to visit colleges before your applications are due. That way, you can be confident you'd be happy at any college you're applying to.

It's also best to go when the college is in session. You'll see the campus when classes are meeting and day-to-day activities are in full swing.

How to Pick a Date

Here are some guidelines on when to visit. Plan your visit well ahead of time. That way you can make sure you see what you need to see and meet with the people who can tell you what you need to know.

During the Week

Mondays through Thursdays are ideal for visits because you can get a good idea of what campus life is like. Visiting on a Friday may not be as practical. Students, faculty, and staff might be busy with social activities starting Friday afternoon.

High school holidays that fall on Mondays are often perfect opportunities for making college visits. Many colleges are in session on these days─and you won't be missing any of your high school classes.

The Best Seasons

The spring of your junior year is a good time if you've already researched colleges. Spring break is also good if you play fall sports or are considering applying under early action or early decision plans, which usually have application deadlines in November of your senior year.

Early fall is also a good time for seniors to visit. That timing can help seniors narrow their college lists.

After You've Been Accepted

Colleges where you've been accepted might invite you to spend a few days on campus before the May 1 reply date. Many schools do this to encourage students they've accepted to enroll. This is an excellent opportunity to make in-depth comparisons between the colleges that have accepted you. If possible, visit with current students who attended your high school.

However, if you're waiting to visit colleges after you've received acceptance letters, remember that you may have only a few weeks to visit and decide. Most colleges mail acceptance letters in April and expect a reply by May 1.

When Not to Go

Check specific dates with each college so you don't arrive when the campus is deserted. You can call the college or look on its website for the academic calendar to find out when breaks, reading periods, and exam periods are scheduled.

Colleges are not in session during:

• Thanksgiving weekend
• Christmas week
• Winter and spring breaks
• Summer, unless there is a summer session

College classes don’t meet during:

• Reading period
• Saturdays and Sundays

The admission office may be closed to visitors at certain times.  For example, admission officers may be too busy to meet with you in May and April — that’s when they’re reviewing applications. Check with the college.

Adapted from   Campus Visits and College Interviews   by Zola Dincin Schneider.

When is the best time to visit colleges?

The best time to visit colleges depends on individual preferences, but typically, spring and fall are popular seasons for campus visits. In spring, you can witness campuses come to life with blooming flowers and vibrant energy. At the same time, fall offers the opportunity to experience the start of a new academic year and the excitement of campus activities. By choosing these seasons, prospective students can immerse themselves in the college atmosphere and gain valuable insights into campus life.

What’s the best time to schedule an individual campus visit?

Schedule an individual campus visit during weekdays when classes are in session, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the campus atmosphere and get a firsthand experience of student life. Interacting with current students, attending classes, and exploring campus facilities during these times can provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about the college.

How many college visits should I make?

The number of college visits can vary based on individual circumstances, such as the number of colleges you're considering and your availability. However, you’ll want to visit a handful of colleges that align with your interests and goals. This can help you make a well-informed decision about your future education.

At what grade level should I start visiting colleges?

Generally, it’s recommended to start visiting colleges during your junior or senior year of high school. By then you should have a clearer idea of your interests and goals. The college visits will be more purposeful and allow you to assess how well each college aligns with your academic and personal goals.

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In the last two years, colleges have continued to adapt their policies for on-campus visits. We've seen a rise in virtual visits and ebbs and flows of the traditional on-campus visit. We address both types of visit below, but as with everything these days, make sure to confirm with each college if they are open to in-person visitors at the time of your planned visit. As of January 2022, most colleges seem to remain open for on-campus tours (though most stay outdoors and avoid going into buildings). We highly encourage reserving places in advance if you're planning any spring break tours, as it's a busy time of year for visits. 

What is a college visit?

The "college visit" has evolved in recent years. With the rise of virtual tours, info sessions, and college classes, there's a lot students can do from home that, once upon a time, could only be done with an in-person visit. If you're likely staying closer to home in the coming months, there's plenty to do virtually to learn about campuses, and you can read more on that here . We also strongly encourage students to do some introspection and college research from home before launching into an in-person visit because it makes visits more effective (and fun). 

But once you've done that initial research and you've decided you can and do want to see some schools in person, it's then helpful to understand what you're planning a college visit for . College visits serve three important purposes:

• They help you better understand colleges in general (we call this browsing)
• They help you decide if you want to apply to a school
• They help you decide if you want to attend a school

Browsing typically takes place when students are younger – perhaps a school you stop at during a family road trip or a school close to home. This is often for students who haven't started thinking a lot about colleges. While these visits can be a fun entrée to the college journey, they often aren't as effective without a good set of questions or sense of self. Students may leave knowing a college has a rock-climbing wall but without a sense of if that's important to them. We recommend using in-person visits (especially if you're seeing more than one school) as a more focused experience, when a student can really understand what questions those visits will answer. Things like, "what does it feel like to go to school in the middle of a city" or "how much do students interact with each other?" are examples of great questions that a visit can help answer (and more great visit questions in this blog post ).

And that's when we break this down into two big categories: visits when you're deciding where to apply and visits where you're deciding to attend . It helps to pause and confirm which type of visit you're planning because what you choose to do will need to either answer: do I like this school enough to apply, or do I like this school enough to commit to attend for the coming years?

Types of in-person college visits

The first thing to know is that a college visit gets to be what you make of it: no two visits need to look alike. But we’ll break down the different types of visits and experiences you can have, and you can decide what style of visit is right for you.

Tours & info sessions

The majority of the time, families will head to the admissions office on campus, go on a tour, and attend an information session. In total, the tour and info session can be anywhere between two and three hours. Generally, we recommend doing the tour, but the info session may be repetitive based on your current research. The tour is generally led by a current student, and while they represent some students, it’s important to remember they don’t represent all students on campus. 

Non-traditional campus visit suggestions

If the information session and tour combo doesn’t work as well for you or your schedule, these are some ideas for non-traditional visits that can be just as helpful in deciding on a college fit. Each campus will differ on what they allow prospective families to do (especially for current safety concerns), so make sure to check in with the admissions office before crashing a classroom or the dining hall. Note: Most colleges are currently not allowing students into buildings, so some of these may be best done in the summer or when restrictions may have loosened.

• Sit in on a lecture hall style class to see what a big class really feels like
• Grab lunch in the dining hall and (ever so tactfully) people watch
• Walk through the student union and look at flyers & clubs advertised – there’s a lot you can glean about what’s abuzz on campus
• Have a picnic on the campus lawn – most schools have a center thoroughfare that’s excellent for watching students go by or catching a Frisbee
• Attend a concert or presentation – many schools host events that are free and open to the public; check the calendar in advance to see if anyone interesting is coming to town
• Stroll the local neighborhood – whether you’re surrounded mostly by trees or a quaint downtown scene, it’s helpful to get a feel for what your college neighborhood would be
• Pick up a school newspaper to see what students are talking about
• Start a conversation with a staff member or student – you’d be surprised how many members of the community are eager to talk about their own experiences on campus
• Go to a sporting event – if you’re in town during a big rivalry game, get some tickets and scope out what it would be like to be a student there – and remember to wear the right team colors!

No matter where you go, it’s still important to check in with the admissions office, as they oftentimes have helpful self-guided walking tour booklets, lists of classes open to prospective students, or an eager current student who might want to chat about social life on campus. And, all colleges will take note that you visited, so it’s important to let them know you were there.

About Us:  With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include  counseling ,  test prep ,  academic tutoring , and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform , leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates. 

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More From Forbes

Let’s tap the real power of college alumni.

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College graduates celebrate their moment.

Football games, open houses, booths selling swag—it’s fall homecoming season on college campuses, and your alma mater is eager to show off its athletic accomplishments, its new energy-efficient buildings, and its innovative academic programs. A goal of these perennial pep rallies, of course, is to raise money—the hope being that alums will be sufficiently moved by the old school spirit to open their wallets wide.

Yet as vital as alumni giving is, it’s just one of the ways that alums can support their university and its mission, and perhaps not even the most important. Just as meaningful is the act of directly engaging with students in ways that open doors to opportunity and encourage their academic and professional success. That means serving as mentors during students’ time on campus and as crucial connectors to internships and jobs.

Much has been written recently about the importance of “social capital”—the networks, backgrounds, and shared norms that connect people in ways that often determine career success. These relationships matter: Studies have consistently shown that the vast majority of jobs come through personal connections.

Video: Jamie Merisotis talks about the value of alumni connections and mentoring for college students.

For college students, social capital can be as important to academic success and career opportunities as skills and knowledge. But first-generation students and those from low-income families often lack the social ties, made and cultivated through family and friends, that more privileged students routinely tap into to start and advance careers.

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College alumni can help fill that gap.

Yet too few do. Just 9 percent of college graduates responding to a Strada-Gallup survey said that their alumni network was “helpful” or “very helpful” in their job searches. The study’s authors suggested that colleges aren’t doing a good job touting the value of their alumni networks. And colleges may actually be discouraging deeper engagement among alums by overemphasizing fundraising. (When you see your college’s name on the caller ID, do you really want to pick up the phone?)

In addition to helping students connect to jobs, internships, and other opportunities, alumni make natural mentors, immediately sharing a built-in bond. By supplementing the work of academic and professional advisors, alums can help students overcome barriers to completion, connect classroom learning to the real world, offer career and other advice or just a friendly ear. Very recent alumni—so-called near-peers —can be particularly effective mentors for younger students.

On a practical level, alumni can help design career-connected research projects, serve as guest speakers, help students develop soft skills and generally add relevance to classroom work. And of course, they do all of this for free.

Plenty of colleges are leveraging the power of their alumni to boost student success and employment.

The Illinois Institute of Technology has a longstanding, formalized alumni mentor program through which alums conduct mock interviews and salary negotiations with students, help students write resumés, and provide job-shadowing opportunities. Students are required to meet with mentors every two to four weeks.

At Bates College in southern Maine, the Center for Purposeful Work connects students to job shadows hosted by Bates alumni. Fairfield University in Connecticut hosts an alumni job-shadow program for juniors and seniors, and a career exploration for first- and second-year students. And in the nation’s capital, American University’s School of Communications connects students with AU’s many alums in the media business.

The SUMMIT Career Connect Network at Agnes Scott College near Atlanta boasts 400 alums who volunteer for career panels, resumé reviews, job shadowing, and more. Eighty percent of the college’s seniors reported that Agnes Scott alumnae helped them achieve their post-graduation goals.

Also in Maine, Colby College’s “Pay It Northward” initiative taps alums to help guarantee internships, jobs, fellowships and other post-grad experiences for seniors.

Under a different model, the University of Colorado’s “Forever Buffs” Networking Program links new graduates with older alums, offering services to help them transition to life after college. All participants receive online training in mentoring and can even earn a credential for their work.

All of these institutions are encouraging their alums to do much more than boost the college’s bottom line. By embracing new roles, alumni are contributing directly to student success.

This homecoming season in their remarks before campus tours and cocktail parties, administrators would do well to remind their alums of these important roles, and of how rewarding they can be—for everyone.

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Lindsey Graham visits Nebraska on behalf of Trump campaign to push for electoral vote change

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., met Wednesday with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and about two dozen Republican legislators to discuss how the state allocates its electoral votes , according to a source with direct knowledge of the trip.

Graham, acting on behalf of the Trump campaign, was working to encourage Pillen to call a special legislative session at which lawmakers could consider changing the state's apportionment of electoral votes , the source said.

Nebraska allocates its electoral votes by congressional district. The swing district around Omaha often goes to Democrats in an otherwise ruby red state.

Wednesday's meeting, previously reported by KOLN -TV , took place in Lincoln. Graham's office confirmed the local report but declined to comment further.

If Nebraska were to switch to a winner-take-all system, it would almost certainly give former President Donald Trump an extra electoral vote in what is expected to be a tight presidential race.

That one electoral vote could prove decisive.

If Vice President Kamala Harris wins Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin but loses every other swing state , she and Trump would be tied at 269 Electoral College votes under a winner-take-all setup in Nebraska with Trump winning the state. In that scenario, the race would be thrown to the U.S. House, where each state delegation would get one vote for president. Republicans hold a majority of delegations and are favored to retain it, even though the House majority could change hands after the November election.

Pillen, a Republican, was "receptive" to Graham's overtures Wednesday and indicated that he would call a special session if he thought he had the votes, the source said.

Pillen has previously expressed that sentiment.

"As I have consistently made clear, I strongly support statewide unity and joining 48 other states by awarding all five of our electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the majority of Nebraskans’ votes," Pillen said in a statement last week. "As I have also made clear, I am willing to convene the Legislature for a special session to fix this 30-year-old problem before the 2024 election."

He added that he has not yet "received the concrete and public indication that 33 [state] senators would vote" for the winner-take-all system.

Supporters of the legislation have long said they do not yet have enough backing to overcome a procedural hurdle that has previously prevented the bill from passing.

The Trump campaign has not responded to questions about Graham’s role in Nebraska. Pillen's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Trump has publicly pushed for the state to switch to a winner-take-all system, saying this year that it would be "right for Nebraska."

The effort to move the state to winner-take-all failed earlier this year over procedural issues .

Maine is the only other state that does not have a winner-take-all system for electoral votes. The Democratic state House majority leader has said the state should consider switching to a winner-take-all electoral vote system itself as a counter if Nebraska moves to change its system.

Olympia Sonnier is a field producer for NBC News. 

Garrett Haake is NBC News' senior Capitol Hill correspondent. He also covers the Trump campaign.

Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate.

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

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5-Star Combo Guard Reschedules Visit Date with Hogs, Calipari

Jacob davis | sep 17, 2024.

• Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach John Calipari continues to iron out dates for official visitors over the few months before the early signing period begins. One of the country's best prospects continues to show interest in the Razorbacks with a date for a visit the coaching staff hopes sticks.

5-star combo guard Meleek Thomas was intially set to visit the Razorbacks in late June, but rescheduled with a date unknown. Then, another date surfaced for this coming weekend, but after another postponement the new date is set for Oct. 14, per Joe Tipton of On3 .

5⭐️ Meleek Thomas ( @ThomasMeleek ) has rescheduled his official visit to Arkansas for the weekend of October 4th, he told @On3Recruits . https://t.co/gbd6tdtsL7 https://t.co/IaVfsZM5h1 pic.twitter.com/aGpBgZwXnz — Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) September 17, 2024

He is a  consensus 5-star  and is the No. 7 prospect in the country according to 247sports. The Pennsylvania native visited UConn in June, plans to see Nate Oats at Alabama Sept. 27 and has been heavily pursued by his hometown Pitt Panthers which remain in contention.

His game has an "old school" feel to it with the ability to score at all three levels offensively. He is creative with the ball in his hands and plays stellar defense.

While at Lincoln Park in Midland, Pennsylvania, he averaged over 19 points per game with eight rebounds, five assists and four steals last season.

Thomas announced earlier this summer that he will play his senior year for Overtime Elite where he can refine his skills and develop as a basketball player. He'll be given the opportunity to perfect his craft on a daily basis without having the stress of school.

The Razorbacks signed Overtime Elite alum Karter Knox during the 2024 recruiting cycle. Calipari has a history with the program and has a pipeline built in for continued success in the future.

Upcoming official visits include No. 6 prospect Miika Muurinen will be in Fayetteville Sept. 20-22. Top10 center Chris Cenac from Link Prep and 2026 5-star combo guard JJ Andrews from Little Rock Christian are scheduled for Oct. 18-20.

Arkansas 2025 Targets

No. 2 PF Cameron Boozer No. 5 PF Caleb Wilson No. 6 PF Koa Peat No. 6 PF Miika Muurinen No. 7 SG Meleek Thomas No. 10 PF/C Chris Cenac No. 21 PG Kingston Flemings No. 23 Braylon Mullins No. 25 Malachi Moreno No. 54 SF Isaiah Sealey No. 63 PF Terrion Burgess No. 100 Courtland Muldrew

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JACOB DAVIS