Visiting College Campuses

College Visits: Virtual & In-Person

There is no better way to get to know a college than by visiting it in some fashion. Most colleges in the US now offer two different kinds of visits: in-person and virtual.

In-person visits involve your actually getting to a college campus and taking a tour. This can be an excellent way to help you figure out what you want in a school. For example, you may find that a rural, college-town campus appeals to you more than an urban setting, or that you prefer a small liberal arts college to a large research university. It is valuable to get a sense of what different places and spaces have to offer.

If you can’t get onto an actual campus, a virtual visit is an excellent alternative. You can sign up for virtual visits on schools’ individual websites.

Visits are best made early in your college planning; both second semester sophomore year and the entirety of junior year are ideal for visiting. Plan to visit a range of schools, including colleges you have not really heard of or do not know much about. Simply getting a sense of what is out there can make a world of difference in your decision-making process.