Campus visits offer a firsthand look beyond websites and brochures, letting you meet admissions officers, interact with students, and experience campus life. Here’s how to make the most of your visit and feel ready to choose the right college.

Plan Your Visit

Admissions offices usually help coordinate visits, and your high school may offer group tours. For an informal visit:

• Check the college’s admissions website for visit options.
• Ask your school counselor about scheduled campus tours.
• Set aside time to explore the campus on your own.
• Schedule a private tour with a guide of your choice using SchoolScoops

What to Expect

Campus visits vary, from short tours to overnight stays. Most visits include:

• Info Sessions: An admissions officer provides insights on academics and student life.
• Admissions Campus Tours: Led by students, you’ll see main campus areas and can ask questions.

We recommend taking a SchoolScoops tour while on campus. Admissions campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—you’re just a number in a big group, and everyone gets the same scripted, cookie-cutter tour. SchoolScoops tours are private, personalized and unscripted. You'll get the unfiltered inside scoop on the school. SchoolScoops guides don't work for their school so they're not trying to sell you on it. Instead, they offer genuine insights from their own experiences. Choose a guide with similar academic interests, hobbies, and personality traits. Get candid answers to the personal questions you wouldn't ask on a group tour.

Preparing for Your Visit

Before you go:

• Review the college’s website to help you think of specific questions.
• Make a list of questions for staff and students.
• Familiarize yourself with the campus map and find the admissions office.

During the visit:

• Take notes and photos to remember details for later comparisons.

Can’t Visit in Person?

If an in-person visit isn’t possible, try these alternatives:

• Look for virtual tours or events on the college’s admissions website.
• Connect with current students. You can do this with SchoolScoops guides by scheduling a virtual meeting with a guide of your choice.

A campus visit (or virtual tour) gives you valuable insight into college life and helps you make an informed choice.

Written by the SchoolScoops Team

SchoolScoops connects college applicants with current college students for private campus tours, personalized for you. Choose a tour guide you can relate to and trust, and get the inside scoop to find the school that fits you best.