It’s almost fall, and summer vacation is ending for families across the country. The weather is cooling, songbirds are moving on, and pretty soon we’ll be back into the swing of the semester routine. For many rising seniors, that means college application season is right around the corner. But what if you’ve only had time — or budget — for a few campus visits? Does that mean you’re missing out on your chance to get a real feel for your top schools?
All of a sudden, it feels like the chances to catch a glimpse of your future life are dropping like dry autumn leaves in the forest…
Listen up: there’s no need for doom and gloom. There are plenty of reasons why students might need to limit in-person college campus tours these days. If that’s the case and you have to cut down on your planned visits for one reason or another, you’ll need a quick guide to making it count. We’ll help you catch up and get the most out of your final college campus visits, no matter the circumstances.
College campus tours: the 101
Over the last couple of weeks, you’ve narrowed down your list. You’ve read the college brochures. Now, at long last, it’s time to walk the quad and eat the dining hall food for the first time. Your final round of campus tours might be your most important — and most memorable — college prep stop yet.
Why? At this point, you already know what you’re looking for. Final college tours often happen after you’ve narrowed down your list, meaning your goal is no longer exploration, but confirmation.
First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about college campus tours and our goals for the whole process.
What are college visits and campus tours? Why do they matter?
A college visit is a planned trip for students and families to learn about a school under consideration. As your chance to see everything for yourself, visits like these can absolutely play a vital role in the college application and admissions process.
However, not all tours are the same. The various college admissions events you can sign up for when you go to a university as a visitor include a mix of:
- Student-led panels vs. docent-led info sessions
- Department-specific vs. general orientations
- Virtual or in-person programming
No matter the type of tour, we suggest trying to reserve your seat in advance, in case spots fill up. You may choose to focus on a few key questions, or go with the flow for each visit once you’re there — ultimately, your goal is to leave each experience with clarity on something new.
Your individual takeaways from a great college visit might include:
- Getting a feel for the student body
- Seeing if the environment fits your energy
- Asking real students questions
- Learning what sets this school apart
- Gaining confidence in your decision to attend
How can I prepare?
| Do This | Not That |
| Ask a student about dorm life | Just listen passively to the tour guide |
| Take notes right after the tour | Assume you’ll remember everything later |
| Attend a class if possible | Only visit over summer when classes aren’t in session |
If you have time, definitely check out these articles about how to prepare for college visits and what to expect.
- This article covers how to build a visit schedule, plan questions, and approach admissions staff. As a bare minimum, try to do quick internet research on the school in advance of the tour, so you have a vague idea of where you’re going and don’t make any obvious blunders.
- If you’re pressed for time, try to make sure you at least come prepared with the right materials on the day of your visit. This packing checklist helps you avoid common mistakes, like forgetting comfortable walking shoes or a notebook for observations.
- Stumped for questions to ask? If you aren’t a natural note-taker or don’t have time to think of your own topics to ask about, use this question guide to help you get started.
What should I know for my final college campus tours?
Focus on variety
The more different types of schools you’re able to visit, the better. This applies to all aspects of the college experience. Making sure to focus on variety makes sure each visit adds something new to your insight, instead of visiting five similar-looking colleges in a row.
Even if you’re limited in number, try to include a mix of colleges and universities across each category:
- Public vs. private
- Urban vs. rural
- Large vs. small (size of student body)
- If travel is possible, different regions
- Range of academic programs and offerings
- Safety, reach, or fit on your list
Afterwards, the variety you witness can help you clarify patterns you like or dislike. Then, you can use these insights to refine your final college list.
Quality over quantity
Pay attention, take notes and pictures, and truly absorb the experience you are able to have. It’s tempting to spend the whole time looking through the camera on your phone — but try to stay in the moment sometimes so you can remember the experience. You never know what could become a great anecdote for your “Why Us?” supplemental essays.
This video walks you through what to do on the big day:
Active listening could look like:
- Writing down your impressions right after in a cute coffee shop
- Snapping photos to jog your memory of cool locations and facilities
- Rate each school in 3-5 categories, like academics, culture, location, dorms, or gut feelings
What should you be paying attention to? Other than people-watching, try to observe:
- The campus layout
- Dorm styles
- Dining halls
- Student energy
- Bulletin boards/posters (what’s happening on campus?)
Look for ways to demonstrate interest
Demonstrated interest refers to repeated engagement with a college, which shows you’re genuinely interested in attending if offered enrollment — a factor in most competitive college admissions processes nowadays. Naturally, you also make sure the visits you do are worth the effort. So look for ways to demonstrate your interest while you’re there.
Actionable steps include:
- Physical sign-in sheets in the office or digital sign-up sheets in advance
- Asking relevant, personal questions
- Sending a follow-up note thanking an admissions officer for their time
- Attending virtual events even after visiting
Many colleges track these signals to gauge how serious you are about attending their college.
SOS! Not able to visit the school you were hoping to?
Whether you suddenly fell in love with a last-minute addition to your college list, or simply weren’t able to make the trip happen — don’t worry, all is not lost. It’s actually a pretty common scenario.
What can you do? Here are a few things you can start now, without visiting the school in person, to learn about the culture and campus vibe.
Webinars or video content
Attend sessions with your camera on, if that’s possible. The information shared is still valuable and current, so take notes on the details. If you have a question that didn’t get answered, you can directly email the admissions office with a follow-up, too.
Official social media accounts
While you’re at it, explore tagged content and student-run accounts. Student forums or admissions pages (like YouTube, Reddit, or student blogs) might be a good place to connect with current students for more information.
Virtual tours
We’re talking about more than just Google Street View these days. Virtual tours have advanced features (like 360-degree video) and educational guides (including student narrator voices) so you can truly investigate a digital facsimile.
Reflect and compare after each visit
Your campus tour isn’t over when you leave the parking lot. In fact, arguably the most critical part might come after you return home — when you take time to process everything you saw, heard, and felt on this whirlwind tour.
After each tour, take 15-20 minutes to reflect while the experience is still fresh. Ask yourself:
- What stood out to you — both positively and negatively?
- How did the school make you feel? Could I picture myself living there?
- What did I learn that I didn’t expect?
- Did I feel comfortable in the student spaces (dorms, dining halls, academic buildings)?
- What questions do I still have?
If you need help getting your thoughts on paper, try downloading our sample checklist here to kick things off.
Use your notes and photos to compare schools later, especially once you’ve finished applying and start receiving decisions. Consider making a simple spreadsheet or journal to track your impressions in one place for easy reference. You’ll thank yourself later for taking a few minutes now to capture your honest reactions!
Final thoughts
Remember: there’s no “perfect” school. Your job on these visits is to look for alignment, not perfection. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel like you found “the one.” Reflection and research can help you feel confident in your final decision.
The purpose of all this? The college you choose should feel like a place where you can thrive, not just attend.
Ready to feel confident in your college decisions? Empowerly can help you empower yourself to build an amazing future. Our expert counselors can help you plan your visits, refine your list, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. With the right tools, resources, and support network behind you, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Let’s get started with a free consultation today!
