Five Things Students Should Know Before Taking a College Tour

ONE

Take a look at the campus on your own. Sometimes the formal guided tour only shows you places the college wants you to see. Check out the area by yourself so you can see what’s going on around campus.

TWO

Ask if you can attend a class in your intended major. This way you can get a feel for what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll see how different college classes can be from your days in high school.

THREE

Talk to students at the campus; there’s no better way to find out if the school is the right fit for you. Sometimes students who organize the college tours glorify a thing or two. By talking to other students throughout the campus, and even within your desired major, you’ll receive a more honest view of the university.

FOUR

Bring a notepad and maybe even a camera. Take more than mental notes of the campus when you visit. Make a list of the pros and cons of each school you visit, and snap a few pictures on your smart phone of places you enjoy or things you may want to research further. 

FIVE

Sneak away to check out the residential buildings and social activities going on around campus. Model dorms or apartments are occasionally fashioned to look like they belong in an Ikea catalog. Make sure you get an eye for what you’ll really be experiencing at the beginning of the school year. Also, be on the lookout for what’s going on in the area. Having a social life at school can be just as important as studying for your next exam.

If you’re not able to visit every school on your list, many colleges now offer virtual tours via their websites.