College Visits - Top Tier Admissions

As spring break approaches, many students are preparing for in-person college visits. And, for the first time in a long time, campuses are (mostly) back open to the public. The process can be a lot of fun, giving you a chance to explore beautiful campuses and envision yourself in new environments. But it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to look for during a tour or ask about during an information session. Don’t worry! We’re here to help. Below, you’ll find some important points to consider before, during, and after each visit.

BEFORE YOUR COLLEGE VISIT

Be realistic about your profile.

While these visits are exciting opportunities to imagine your future collegiate self, it’s painful to fall in love with a school that is out of range. For that reason, we recommend taking a look at a college’s GPA and testing data before you plan a visit. (Many colleges make this data publicly available. Take a look, for example, at recent class profiles from Columbia and Tulane.) Do your grades and scores look similar to those of recently admitted students? If yours are significantly below the mean, that may be a sign you should focus on other schools.

Think about what you want from your college experience.

There are some things you may desperately want in a college (e.g., an urban campus, small class sizes, a great business program) and other things you might not care about at all (e.g., study abroad opportunities, sports teams). While your priorities will likely change over time, it’s worth thinking about your priorities and non-negotiables before you start visiting. Some questions to ask yourself:

Geography – Does location matter to you (East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, etc.)? Do you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural environment?
School size – Do you want to be part of a large student body or a smaller community?
Potential major fields – What fields might you like to major in at college? Which schools offer strong programs in these areas?
Class size – Liberal arts schools generally offer seminars that allow students to interact closely with faculty. Larger universities often require students to take large lecture courses for the first year or two and reserve seminars for upper-level students. Does that matter to you? Which class format would suit you best?
Required courses – Some schools require students to take courses in particular areas, while others don’t. Columbia, for example, has a core curriculum that all students take, while Brown has an open curriculum. (Most schools fall somewhere between these two extremes with broad distribution requirements.) Does this matter to you? If so, which system do you prefer?
Research opportunities – How easy will it be for you to carry out research in your field(s) of interest? Does the school support undergraduate research? What opportunities are available to freshmen?
Unique programs – Some schools offer unique programs that are especially appealing to students. Williams, for example, offers a tutorial program that supports independent research, debate, and close faculty mentorship. Do some schools you are looking at offer particular programs that appeal to you? Could you find similar opportunities at other schools?
Social aspects – For some students, the social makeup of the school carries a lot of weight. Some students, for example, want a school with Greek life, while others want no Greek life at all. Some students want a school with a strong sports culture, while others don’t care about athletics. Are these factors important to you? If so, where will you find them?

Asking yourself these questions before you dive into college visits will ensure that you are looking at colleges that could be a good fit for you. If you are underwhelmed during your initial visits, that may be a sign that you should prioritize other aspects of the college experience.

Register for a tour and/or information session.

Many colleges will ask that you schedule a tour or information session in advance, since this ensures that no event is oversubscribed. If you’re thinking about arranging a spring/summer tour, it’s a good idea to check admissions calendars ASAP. If all of the tours are full, you can still walk around the campus—but keep in mind, this will not show demonstrated interest, since colleges will not have a record of your visit.

Plan out other ways you might explore the school.

Would you like to meet with a professor in your area of interest? If so, send them an email to see if you can swing by their office while you are on campus. Want to touch base with a financial aid officer while you are in town? Reach out in advance to see about arranging a meeting.

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DURING YOUR COLLEGE VISIT

A college visit will often include a tour of the campus and/or an information session with an admissions representative. These are great opportunities to learn more about a school! A few things to keep in mind as you take part in them:

Sign in at the admissions office, if possible.

Some admissions offices will keep sign-in sheets at the front desk. It’s a great idea to sign these, especially if you haven’t registered for a tour, to ensure that you show demonstrated interest.

Pay attention.

Especially after a long flight or car ride, it’s easy to let your attention drift during a one-hour information session. To get the most out of your visit, though, you’ll want to pay close attention and take notes on the things that stand out to you.

Separate the guide from the school.

A good tour guide can make a mediocre school seem great, while a bad one can make even the best school seem boring. It’s hard, but try to focus on what your guide is telling you about the school, rather than on how much you like your guide.

Get to know the students.

If you have time, it’s always a great idea to speak with some students not affiliated with the admissions office. Why not have lunch in the dining hall to chat with some current undergraduates and get their take on the college? Some schools even have programs, like UVA’s Monroe Society, that connect prospective students directly with undergraduates to learn more about the university.

AFTER YOUR COLLEGE VISIT

Once you’ve left campus for the day, you’ll want to take a few steps to ensure you end your visit on a high note.

Write down your thoughts about the school.

The college you just toured is fresh in your mind now, but after two or three additional visits, it will start to blur together with other schools. Take some time to write down what you liked and disliked about the college so that you’ll have a clear record to reference in the future.

Do additional research.

Did your tour guide mention a program that sounded intriguing? Were you excited about joining the literary magazine or studying abroad? Take a few minutes after your tour to look up more information on the things that interested you, and add that data to your notes.

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ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO VISIT

Can’t visit schools in person? That’s okay! During the pandemic, colleges rolled out lots of ways to explore schools virtually, many of which are here to stay. Almost all colleges now offer virtual tours and info sessions, as well as webinars, model classes, and robust social media profiles. (We offer a more detailed exploration of virtual options here.) Take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about your schools of interest. When it comes time to apply to colleges, you’ll feel confident putting together an informed list of target schools.

UP NEXT…

Are you ready to plan your spring break trip but aren’t sure where to begin? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog series, “Campus Visit Clusters,” which will highlight groups of schools by region and offer sample itineraries and TTA insider tips. First up: Boston!

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Dr. Eliza Fox

Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions

Eliza has years of experience at Top Tier Admissions, helping students gain admittance to top-flight colleges and pioneering the Writing Center. She holds a B.A. in English with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University, where she was a two-time recipient of Stanford’s Rebele Journalism Fellowship. She earned her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of Virginia. Prior to working at Top Tier, Eliza taught in UVa’s English Department and its Academic and Professional Writing Program. The effectiveness of her teaching and her commitment to her students earned her multiple awards, including the All-University Graduate Teaching Award and honors from UVa’s Seven Society. Eliza’s own writing has appeared in publications ranging from academic journals to The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also has experience in publishing, digital humanities, and study abroad programming.