College Visits
University of Washington - Seattle
Why take a college tour?
Nothing can beat the firsthand experience of walking around a campus yourself. You’ll be devoting four years of your life to the college, so it’s important to find somewhere you’ll be happy to call home.
Where to Visit
Visiting colleges can be an expensive business, so decide on a budget - both time and money - and list your top picks.
If you’re unsure what type of institution you would prefer, try to visit different styles to find the best fit. Compare a more urban environment to a rural campus-based one, a small intimate private institution to a big state university with a wide variety of majors and clubs. The atmosphere as you walk around the different types of colleges will help you focus on the criteria important to you.
When to Visit
Go when college students are in session, if possible. You want to get a feel of the college in action, so try and avoid student holidays. School spring breaks can be a good time to go, since college spring breaks are often earlier in the year.
Before You Visit
Write down a list of why you like each college as well as your concerns. This will really help focus your visit as you look out for the specific areas important to you.
Book ahead:
an information session: Although much of this information will be available from the college website, it can be more memorably packaged live. You can then use that session to ask college specific questions on the college tour. If the information session brags about their college’s research options, for example, be sure to ask your tour guide for their personal experience of that. How easy was it to secure a research position and what was the process?
a college tour: While most follow the same ‘brochure’ format - the picturesque square, the cafeteria, the quick walk through an academic building (Covid regulations dependent) - they do offer a chance to look around the campus with someone who is actually living there. Take advantage of that opportunity and ask questions. Where do students live after their first year? How did you choose your major? Who do you go to when you have a problem? Which cafeteria has the best food? What dorms are supposed to be the best and why?
a meeting with an admissions officer (if possible): These meetings provide an opportunity to make a personal contact with the university as well as have your individual questions answered. Go prepared. Research the college beforehand and have some specific questions about academics, financial aid and merit scholarships, clubs and sports, work cohorts, and study abroad programs to hand. Remember, choosing a college is a two-way street. This is not just about them liking you. Does the college have what you need to succeed academically, emotionally, socially and health wise? Is it affordable?
During the Tour
Keep your eyes and ears open, and take lots of photos. Look at the demographics and social interaction. Watch how students behave and what they are doing. Are they laughing in groups or studying alone? Bulletin boards and flyers can be both good sources of local information and tell a lot about an institution’s ethos. Are boards filled with party invites or research opportunities? Does it feel like a community you could join?
As you walk about campus, imagine using it. Is the campus full of walkers with lots of steps and hills, or are there wide open spaces filled with skateboarders? Look at the condition of the buildings. New construction might be a sign of new investment, while neglected facilities can tell the opposite story.
After the Tour
Spend some extra time in the areas you are most likely to use yourself. If you are planning on majoring in chemistry, ask where the labs are and take a peek if you can. Find out what facilities are nearby and how you would get there from dorms or shuttle bus. Imagine yourself getting around campus on good weather days and bad. Grab a coffee in the cafeteria you would use most often. Take a look at the recreation facilities and see where your club would hang out. Colleges may have maker spaces, music rooms, pools, and even meditation gardens, so investigate what is on offer and discover if they have the resources on site to help you thrive.
If you have a health or disability concern, visit Disability Services to learn about their process for accessing accommodations and what help might be available both in and out of the classroom. Your well-being should be a priority, and you want to find an institution that is willing to help your success.
Walk around the area beyond campus. Four years is a long time, so most students find themselves off campus at some point, whether for work or recreation. What does the local area offer that you would use? How are relations between the college and town?
Note down your impressions after each visit. It can be surprising how different the reality is to expectations.
The Virtual College Tour
Not everyone can visit colleges in person but fortunately there are lots of ways to connect virtually these days.
Virtual tours and information sessions are frequently offered via college websites.
CampusTours and CampusReel are searchable sites for virtual tours and college pics.
Join college social media sites and departmental newsletters for insights into the daily goings on at the university.
University YouTube channels often have “Day in the Life” videos to help you get a feel for campus life.
Student voices are so important so listen and read reviews at Unigo, College Dive, The College T (US) and Unibuddy (UK).
Many universities also offer student chats via their websites or ask an admissions officer if they have student ambassadors available.
Phone or email admissions officers with any outstanding questions you haven’t found answers to. They will be more than happy to connect, and it is a great way to demonstrate interest.
Book a free consult today for help navigating your journey to college.
