Four Things to Consider When Touring Colleges

1. Make a list of things that are important to you before you go. Bring this on the trip and take notes on whether the items on your list are present at the college. Think about the dorms, academics, dining, social life, and overall feel. Rate each of these and write down what you liked or disliked about each of them.

2. Think about where you will be spending time: The library? The student union? Athletic facilities? Visit each of these places. Notice the environment--how busy it is, how many students are there, whether it’s loud or quiet, etc. Also, think about what kinds of resources you will have access to at these places.

3. The food deserves its own place on this list. When you are on campus, eat in a dining hall. Make sure there are lots of food options that you like, and note the proximity of the dining halls to the dorms and classrooms. Again, think about the environment in the dining hall. Then think about where else you might eat on or off campus.

4. Walk around the neighborhood surrounding the campus. Are there places you might like to hang out? Are there restaurants catered towards college students? Is it big or small? How walkable is it?

Sources:

“Campus Visit Checklist.” BigFuture, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/find-your-dream-college/campus-visits/campus-visit-checklist.

“The College Campus Tour Checklist.” College Board Blog, https://blog.collegeboard.org/college-campus-tour-checklist.

14 Tips for an Effective College Visit - US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-tips-for-an-effective-college-visit.

“What to Know before a College Campus Visit.” BigFuture, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/find-your-dream-college/campus-visits/campus-visits-before-you-go.