College Tour Travel: The Perfect Spring Break Activity

I confess: I am as susceptible to catching spring fever as anyone. The recent sunshine and warm temperatures left me daydreaming of the months ahead and considering my options for spring break. At this time of year, my inbox fills with offers from colleges enticing me to come visit their campuses – from Montana to Nova Scotia, Virginia to New York, and everywhere in between, each group of colleges has something delightful to discover. Ah, college tour travel – the perfect spring break activity!

As a college advisor, the college process never ends for me. Each spring, I begin anew, researching colleges for my juniors, excited by all of the possibilities. One of the most important pieces of research that I do is to visit college campuses in person. Nothing else gives a truer picture of what the college experience may hold at a given school.

What is the best time to visit?

You get the most accurate picture of the campus life when school is in session. Spring break of your junior year is a great time to visit the schools that you are considering in earnest.

Avoid seeing too many colleges at once. Limit yourself to visiting no more than two colleges per day, taking breaks in between visits. If you see too many colleges at once, they will start to blend together in your mind.

Scheduling a visit

Students, call the college offices to schedule a tour and information session at least two weeks before you would like to attend. Colleges limit the number of people per tour, so at especially busy times of the year, calling ahead saves time if an appointment is not available. Remember that admission offices are usually closed on weekends, so plan to visit on a weekday. (Admission office phone numbers are available on Naviance.) Keep in mind that a campus visit is yet another way to demonstrate your interest, so students, you will want to place such calls yourselves.

Should students take parents on college visits?

Yes! Parents should be involved in the preliminary college visits. Parents can provide an extra set of eyes and ears as you research; and you want them to feel invested in your college choice. You and your parents may want to split up after the formal tour in order to cover more ground as you explore the campus on your own. (Parents do not attend the senior-year-you’re-already-accepted-spend-the-night-in-the-dorm type of visit.)

What to see and do

1) Take the formal campus tour and attend the information session

2) Visit a class

3) See the dorms

4) Eat a meal

5) Check out the library

6) Visit the student union and bookstore

7) See the athletic facilities/fitness center

8) Just wander around – “people watch”

After the visit, make notes. What did you like or dislike and why? How did the campus “feel” (what was the atmosphere)? What are your parents’ reactions?

How to dress

Certainly, be casual and comfortable (wear comfortable shoes for walking!), but casual does NOT mean sloppy. Remember that you are trying to get into college, not get a date, so go easy on the skin showing, accessories, perfume/cologne, etc. 

Some Sample Questions to Ask During a Visit

1) Are there any anticipated major changes to programs, housing, male-female ratios, etc.?

2) Have there been any recent changes in admission policies?

3) How large are the freshman course sections as opposed to upper class course sections?

4) What is the social life like on campus? What do students do on the weekends? How many return home on the weekends? How many students work?

5) What are the distribution and graduation requirements?

6) Are students ever included in the real decision-making processes of the school?

7) What are the best or most popular programs on campus?

So, satisfy your own spring fever and wanderlust, and start planning some college visits. You never know … maybe I’ll run into you on a college campus!