Making the Most of Your College Visit: Expert Tips for Future College Students

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions of your life. But is a college visit helpful? Even if you’ve spent hours scrolling through college websites, watching YouTube videos, and flipping through brochures, no amount of online research — or armchair research — can replace the experience of stepping foot on a college campus. By visiting in person you'll really get a feel for the campus, see important facilities likes dorms, gyms, and libraries, do research for your application, and find out what's on the menu at the dining hall, making your visit well worth the effort.

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A college visit gives you the chance to see the campus culture in action and envision what your life might look like if you spend the next four years there.

By visiting campuses, you’re gathering the kind of intel that could make or break your decision to apply and attend. You’re making memories that could even shape your applications. So, let’s talk about how to make these visits count.

In this blog post, we'll share expert insights on all of the following:

• Whether college campus visits are still worth it in this day and age
• What to do if you can’t visit a campus in person
• Whether visiting a college helps your chances of admission
• How to plan your college visit, including questions to ask
• Your campus visit checklist
• How to evaluate your experience afterward
• Tips for parents

Are college campus tours worth it?

Visiting colleges is like ordering clothes online — you can read the description and check the size, but until you wear it, you won’t know if it really fits. You know how it’s a hassle to return things you bought online? Well, choosing the wrong college can be a million times worse.

When you visit a college, you’re building a relationship with the school. And that relationship starts with seeing it, hearing it, and feeling it. Here’s why it’s worth the trip:

First-Hand Experience

Photos and videos can only show you so much. By visiting in person, you’ll get to see the actual facilities, walk through the dorms, and sit in the lecture halls. You might even stumble upon something unexpected — a cutting-edge research lab, a cozy library nook, or a bustling student-run café.

Application-Boosting Anecdotes

In this interview with Crimson’s CEO Jamie Beaton, Duke and Stanford alum Shadman U. shared how he leveraged his visit to Duke for powerful application content:

Gut Feeling

Sometimes, it all comes down to how a campus feels. Does it make you feel at home, or does it seem too overwhelming? You’ll know within minutes of walking around. We’ve seen students light up when they find a campus that clicks, and we’ve seen others walk away upon realizing the school is actually not a fit. For many students these gut feelings can prove just as important as academic rankings or course offerings.

Meet the People

Talking to students, professors, and even dining hall staff can give you insights you won’t find online. Students love to share what makes their school special — and they’ll often be brutally honest about what they don’t like.

Visualize Your Life There

This is your chance to imagine yourself living on this campus.

• What’s the social vibe?
• Is the surrounding neighborhood lively or quiet?
• Could you see yourself thriving here for the next four years?

Everything from the food in the dining hall to the way students interact will help paint a picture of what your life might look like if you choose this school.

What if you can’t visit a college campus in person?

If you can’t make it to a campus for financial or logistical reasons, don’t worry! Virtual tours are also a great option. Many colleges offer interactive tours where you can “walk” through buildings, see dorm rooms, and get a feel for the campus layout. Some even offer live Q&A sessions with admissions officers or current students, which can help you ask questions and get immediate answers.

Chris, a Former Princeton and Dartmouth Admissions Officer and Crimson consultant, shares his thoughts:

Does visiting a college campus help your chances of admission?

Visiting a college campus may be able to help your admissions chances if the school is small and less popular, or if the school tracks demonstrated interest. While demonstrated interest may give your prospects for admission a slight boost, it is not a silver bullet for students whose applications are not already strong!

Janela, a Crimson Principal Strategist & Former Admissions Officer, believes that campus visits can help your application in some cases:

Some universities track demonstrated interest, which can be in the form of campus visits, email contact with the admissions office, and attending virtual information sessions. However, Ivy League and other Top 20 universities get so many applications that they tend not to track demonstrated interest. They already know that most people applying are very interested in attending.

Visiting a campus is most likely to help your application if the university tracks demonstrated interest and is concerned about its yield rate. If a university is trying to protect its yield rate, that means that they may reject you if they think you won’t choose them back if accepted. Showing interest by visiting the campus is one way to assure them that you’re genuinely interested and will choose them back.

You can find out if a university tracks demonstrated interest by checking out its Common Data Set. This is an official report each university releases every year. Simply search “[School Name] common data set” and you’ll easily find a PDF of the latest report.

However, if your target school doesn’t track demonstrated interest, there are still excellent reasons to visit the campus. In the words of Frida, a Senior Strategy Consultant at Crimson:

Planning Your College Visit

Making the most of your college campus visit starts with a little prep work. Here’s how to plan ahead to maximize your experience.

Scheduling Tips

• Plan your visit for when classes are in session. This gives you a true sense of campus life — the energy, the buzz, and even the quirks that make each school unique. Try to avoid scheduling visits during summer, holidays, or exam weeks when campuses may feel unusually quiet or stressed.
• If you’re visiting multiple campuses in one trip, space them out. Back-to-back visits can blur together and leave you with a foggy memory of which campus had the awesome library and which one had the great student-run café.

Campus Tours: Official and Self-Guided

• Register for guided tours in advance, as spots can fill up quickly. These tours are usually led by enthusiastic student guides who are happy to answer your questions about campus life.
• Register for an info session. These sessions are usually conducted by someone from the admissions office. You’ll learn all about the application process, financial aid options, and what the school values most in its students.
• Download a map of the campus and mark areas of interest. We always recommend wandering the campus on an “unofficial,” self-guided tour to get a sense of the authentic vibe.

Additional Activities

To go beyond the basics, consider planning a few extra activities that align with your interests.

• Email a professor who works in a field closely related to your interest to set up a meeting. For example, one Crimson student who visited an Ivy last year was able to bring a research paper they were working on and get feedback from a professor.
• Sit in on a class. Many schools allow prospective students to quietly observe a lecture. You may need to schedule this in advance.
• Meet with an academic advisor. If you have a specific major or program in mind, try to arrange a meeting to learn more about the curriculum and opportunities.
• Explore student life. Visit the student center, check out clubs or events, and even peek into the gym or recreational areas. These spaces are where much of your college life will happen.
• Attend a campus event. If there’s a game, play, or guest lecture during your visit, try to attend.

Prepare Questions

Make a list of questions you want to ask people you meet during your visit. For example:

To Tour Guides or Students:

• Why did you choose this school, and what do you love about it?
• Are there any changes you wish the school would make?
• What’s a typical freshman schedule like?
• What’s the social scene here? Are there traditions or events that everyone looks forward to?
• How does the school support students academically and emotionally?

To Professors or Academic Advisors:

• How accessible are professors to students?
• What kind of research or projects can undergraduates get involved in?
• How does the school prepare students for success after graduating?

To the Financial Aid Office:

• What types of scholarships or grants are available?
• What’s the average debt of graduates in my intended major?
• Can I lock in tuition rates for all four years? If not, how much does tuition go up each year?

Making the Most of the Visit: Campus Visit Checklist

Once you’re on campus, it’s time to put your plan into action. This checklist will help keep you focused.

Gather Information:

• Attend a group information session at the admissions office. 
  • Pro tip: Make sure to sign in and leave your email at these sessions, in case the school tracks demonstrated interest!
• Interview with an admissions officer to ask about application tips.
• Pick up financial aid forms and learn about scholarship opportunities.

Explore the Campus:

• Take a guided campus tour and ask plenty of questions.
• Explore the campus beyond the official tour route.
• Visit key facilities: dorms, library, dining hall, fitness center, and career center.
• Talk to current students about academics and campus life.

Check Out Campus Media:

• Read the student newspaper and check bulletin boards for events.
• Listen to the campus radio station or tune into podcasts created by students.
• Browse blogs or social media channels run by students or faculty.

Explore Beyond the Basics:

• Walk through the local community to see what the surrounding area offers.
• Visit nearby colleges if they’re within a short distance.
• Try out the dining hall and talk to students about the food quality and options.

Be Observant

Pay attention to the little things:

• Are students smiling, or do they seem stressed?
• Do the facilities look well-maintained?
• Is there a sense of community, or does it feel disjointed?

Take notes and photos. These observations might seem minor, but they can reveal a lot about what life will be like at the school.

How To Evaluate Your Campus Tour Experience

Taking time to reflect is just as important as the visit itself. Here’s how you can evaluate your experience and take action on it.

Post-Visit Reflection

The moment you leave campus, jot down your thoughts.

• What stood out to you?
• Did the campus feel welcoming?
• Were the facilities impressive?
• Did anything surprise you, for better or worse?

Don’t overthink it. This is about capturing your gut reaction while it’s fresh.

Comparing Schools

If you’re visiting multiple colleges, the memories can start to blur together. Keep a journal or digital log where you can track key details about each visit. Include photos, anecdotes, and even snippets of conversations you had. For example, if you loved a particular dorm at one school but preferred the dining options at another, make a note of that.

When it’s time to make decisions, having these details at your fingertips will make it much easier to weigh the pros and cons.

Deciding if It’s a Good Fit

The goal of a campus visit is to answer one big question: Can I see myself here?

This isn’t just about academics. It’s about the entire experience. Reflect on the following questions:

• Does the school support your goals?
• Are the students the kind of people you want to surround yourself with?
• Is the campus somewhere you can thrive for the next four years?

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t ignore it.

And if a school feels like home, that’s a powerful sign it could be the right choice.

Tips for Parents

Parents: You play a big role in the college visit process. But this is your child’s college experience — not yours. Although it may be tempting to weigh in on every detail, try to play a supporting role and let your child take the lead.

You can support your student by:

• Helping with logistics like scheduling tours or booking travel, but once you’re on campus, stepping back and let your student take the reins.
• Encouraging your child to ask their own questions during tours and info sessions. While you may be curious about topics like financial aid or safety, let your student’s priorities take center stage!
• Offering a listening ear. After your visit, ask open-ended questions like, “What did you like most?” or “How does this compare to other schools?” Your goal is to help them reflect without steering them in a particular direction.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, college is about finding the place where you’ll thrive. Campus visits — whether physical or virtual — help you move closer to that answer. Many students unexpectedly fall in love with a certain campus or change their mind about a sought-after school based on campus visits.

To get the most out of your campus visit, plan ahead. Make a list of events you want to attend, places you want to see, and questions you want to ask. Take copious notes during your visit. After each visit, evaluate your experience — your future self will thank you.

If you’re ready to start planning your visits, Crimson Education offers expert guidance to help you navigate the process with confidence. From creating a personalized college list to arranging alumni-led tours, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to take the first step toward finding your dream college? Let’s get started!

Further Reading:

• BLOG: How To Research Colleges: 4 Steps To Finding the Perfect School
• BLOG: Why a Beautiful College Matters and Where to Find Them
• BLOG: Creating The Perfect University List: Learn Your Safety, Target & Reach