College Visits

College visits are an important part of the college application process. They allow students the opportunity to experience first hand if that college or university would be the right "fit." During college visits, students can  interact with current students, staff and professors while gaining valuable insight into what it would actually be like to attend that college or university. Click here for more information on why college visits are important and here for tips on how to make the most out of a visit. 

College Visit Checklist and Questions to Ask

Big Future compiled a downloadable College Visit Checklist here that contains helpful tips for before and during a visit. NACAC also compiled a downloadable document that contains questions on housing, financial aid, campus safety, and diversity. The College Visit Checklist also has a list of questions to ask during your visit, including:

Tour Guides/Students:

• What's it like to go from high school to college?
• What are the best reasons to go to this college?
• What do you love about this college? What do you wish you could change about it?
• Why did you choose this college?
• What is it like to live here?
• What does the college do to promote student involvement?
• What types of student groups or clubs are there?

Professors:

• What are the best reasons to attend this college?
• Can a student be mentored by professors, upperclassmen or graduate students?
• How are professors rated by the college?
• How does the college help students access professors outside of class?

Financial Aid:

• How much do students, on average, owe when they graduate?
• What is your average financial aid package?
• What is the average income of graduates who had the same major interests as me?
• Will costs go up when price of tuition goes up?  Or can we use the same tuition rate I started with so I can know the cost for all 4 years?
• What work study opportunities are there?

Academic Offices:

• How much time do students usually spend on homework?
• What is the average class size of an introductory course? An upper level course?
• Do you have a learning community or other freshman experience?
• What is your four-year graduation rate? Five-year?
• What percentage of students return from freshman year to sophomore?

Click here for more questions to ask during a college visit. 

How to Schedule a College Visit 

All colleges have admission offices that can help you schedule and plan your college visit. Contact the college admission office through the college's website to request more information or schedule. Click here to find helpful tips of when it is best to schedule a visit and why. You can find more information on college visits here. 

Online Campus Tours

YouVisit offers virtual campus tours along with admissions information and links to schedule an in person college visit. Click here to read an article on how to make the best of a virtual college visit. 

Navigating College Fairs 

Each year, NACAC holds more than 90 free college fairs across the country. You can find a list of dates and cities here. College fairs give students the opportunity to meet college representatives from all over the country.  Click here for a list of tips to make the most out of attending a college fair. 

Click here to download a College Fair prep document.