Choosing the right college is a defining moment in your life. But how do you find the right fit? Visiting a college in person gets you one step closer to selecting the perfect college for you. You’ll get to experience on-campus student life, meet with faculty, chat with current students and get all your questions answered by admission staff.
Best time to plan a visit
It’s never too early to start touring. Fall is a great season for high school seniors to visit and fill out applications. For juniors, spring visits are ideal. Many colleges plan special open house events during three-day weekends and on Saturdays, while others host tours year-round, like SCAD, which offers daily tours in Atlanta, Savannah, and online.
What to do if you can’t visit in person
While seeing a college in person is the best way to gauge if it’s the right fit for you, many colleges offer virtual tours as well as online information sessions. Check out YouVisit, where cutting-edge colleges like SCAD have personal AR/VR tour guides to walk you through academic buildings and global locations. Be sure to visit the college's website for more information and to academically tour the university and follow them on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok to keep in touch in real-time.
How to prepare
To receive the full tour experience, plan your visit in advance. Most colleges have online registration for their tours. Pre-registering gives admission representatives the ability to customize your visit to your areas of interest. There are even opportunities for you to sit in on classes.
College visits are family-friendly events that your parents, guardians and siblings can enjoy. Families provide valuable insight into the college experience, so bringing them can be an asset. Some colleges even plan special activities for families around the city while their prospective students visit classes.
You will also want to think about questions you may have and what programs you’re interested in before you go to make the most of your time.
What to ask
When you visit, bring your questions. Ask admission representatives about student life, residential life and available resources. What are the college's rankings, particularly in your program of interest? What are the alumni employment rate and alumni success stories? Do professional companies partner with the college to give students real-world working experience? What are the career preparation strategies that the college offers? Does the college offer wellness programs to support you personally as well as academically?
You can also ask about cutting-edge technology and facilities: Are they comparable to the industries that you want to join? Preparing the right questions gives you an inside peek into how the college you choose prepares you for your future career. These questions can also help you narrow your list of colleges as you find your fit.
