By Cherie Gough

This summer, thousands of teens and their families will tour college campuses. Since college schedules differ from high school, summer can still be a good time to experience campus life in action, and though online resources abound, there’s nothing like getting a feel for campus in person. 

Signing up for the official tour is the obvious first step, but what else can parents and students do to prepare for and make the most of these important visits? 

Tips for College Visits 

1 Before heading out on tours, take time at home to discuss your teen’s values. Help them clarify their “Why” for attending college. College consultant Dr. Steven Antonoff offers free, downloadable tools to help families start the discussion at schoolbuff.com.

2 Engage with a diverse range of people beyond the scripted tour. Ask at least three current students questions about their campus experiences to gain honest answers and valuable insight. Get specific. Instead of “What’s the social scene like?” ask “What did you do last weekend?” Instead of “How many majors are there?” ask, “Do counselors help freshmen sign up for classes? Is it easy to get the classes you need?”

3 Sit in on a class that interests you. 

4 Ask lots of questions about dorms. Housing can be stressful. Ask about availability of on-campus housing beyond freshman year. If not guaranteed, what’s the process to obtain off campus housing? How far in advance do students typically plan? Is it a hassle? Does overpriced housing often place excess pressure on students’ budgets?

5 Observe how people get around campus. Are they riding bikes? Taking the bus? Walking? Is the campus walkable to local shopping and dining? Is there a free campus shuttle to town? 

6 Be a people watcher. What are your impressions of the student body? Is there a fun, positive vibe or do people look stressed and exhausted? Does the campus have the right fit of diversity to help you thrive? Can you see yourself happily fitting in among these people and this environment?

7 Are safety measures in place around campus and in the surrounding area? Look for emergency call boxes. Ask if there are campus security escorts or free shuttles available at night. 

8 Eat in the dining hall. How well do they accommodate your dietary preferences or needs? Can meal plans be used at cafes campus wide? Notice the vibe. Are students eating together or mostly picking up to-go orders? 

9 Take photos to help you remember key positives and negatives about each campus. Use this tracker from College Board to help record your impressions: secure-media.collegeboard.org.

10 Visit the Career Center. Ask questions about job boards, work study, internships. Ask: How often do students meet with career counselors?  What services do they offer?

11 Visit the surrounding neighborhood. Walk into shops and restaurants, coffee shops and bookstores you’ll likely frequent. How does the neighborhood feel?

12 Can’t get away for college visits? Check out Campus Reel, an online guide with real students leading you through a typical day at their university (dorms, cafeteria, nearby neighborhood, etc.): campusreel.org.

Visit the variety of local colleges and universities in town. They’ll give you a good indication of what feels right. 

Cherie Gough is a college essay coach who has successfully helped hundreds of students gain success in their application journey.