College Campus Tours: Turning Research Into Reality

When it comes to choosing the right college, nothing beats stepping foot on the campus. Walking through the grassy quad, talking to current students, and peering into lectures give a true glimpse into what the next four years of your college experience will look like. There are some aspects of a school that no college website or video can replicate, like the friendliness of the student body or the dedication of the professors. These aspects are more of a feeling, not a fact. 

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of attending a college tour and picking out new college merch, so it is important to do proper research to get the most out of your experience. Use online resources like college websites and take notes on the school’s unique offerings, academic programs, and campus facilities, finding what you are most interested in. Also, browsing through social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram allowed me to see what others on campus were involved in, sparking interest in different clubs and programs. My Instagram feed quickly became infiltrated with the amazing study abroad opportunities on campus, which is something I had never considered. Intrigued, I asked my tour guide about his experience, and his genuine love and enthusiasm for the program sealed the deal for me. From this research, I was able to focus on what was most important and think of intentional, thoughtful questions beforehand.

Tours will typically stop by the student center, dining hall, classrooms, and maybe even the dorms. While the dorm amenities and the size of the classrooms are important, try looking beyond the surface. Dive deeper by asking these questions:

• Are the professors engaged and devoted to the learning of their students?

• Do students feel friendly and welcoming, or independent and on their own?

• Are there opportunities for hands-on learning, research, and internships?

• What do students do on the weekends or in their free time?

• Do students thrive post graduation?

  
  

Do not be afraid to deviate from the typical tour and talk to current students or visit a sporting event on campus to get a true feel about the school’s culture. You are going to be surrounded by students who are currently living the life that you are dreaming about for yourself, so talk to those around you. My most valuable conversations came from the most unexpected places- like at the student store where the cashier informed me about a technology and management program. As a fellow economics major interested in business, she mentioned that this was where all of the business classes were “hidden”, and even though I thoroughly researched my major online, I would have never stumbled across this program if it wasn’t for her. 

After visiting dozens of schools in a short span of time, all of the small details started to blur together. It is crucial that once the tour ends, create a detailed list of what you loved, what surprised you, and what you didn’t particularly like. At the end of my tour, I would pick many categories of the school: school spirit, class size, location and proximity, student involvement, housing, cost, campus facilities, and more. I ranked each category on a scale of 1 to 10, considering what was most important and least important to me. Adding up the totals backed up my gut feeling with real data and helped me focus on what I valued most compared to other schools.

Ultimately, college tours are not about finding the “perfect campus” but more about finding the right fit for your academic, social, and personal needs. Colleges stretch far beyond their ranking or acceptance rate; they each have personal charm, special programs, and a unique atmosphere that you must experience in order to understand. Picking the right school can be an overwhelming, daunting task but visiting the campus can be the last piece of the puzzle to lock in your final decision.

*There are also resources for prospective students, created by AP Academy, to help remember the small details, organize your thoughts, and figure out what is most important to you.

Access the college visit worksheet here.

Access the college decision resource here.