With no school work to worry about and more free time on your hands, summer is a great time to plan your college visits. University staff have a lighter load during the summer so you may be able to get a more personalized campus tour. Having a good plan in place can help you make the most of your summer college tours. Check out these 8 tips.
1. Choose Your Dates Wisely
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If possible, it’s always best to visit a college while school is in session. While there will be fewer students on campus during the summer, there will still be students. Plan to go on a weekday so you have the opportunity to talk to some students.
If your senior year of high school also doesn’t start until September, you can absolutely try to visit that final week of August. That’s when the fall semester has started for a majority of colleges so you’ll get to experience what that school is like as new students arrive on campus and classes begin. It’s usually a great atmosphere to be around!
2. Note Campus Tour Dates
While you should definitely take the time to explore a college on your own, it never hurts to go on an official campus tour. It’s actually recommended. You’ll learn things about the school you wouldn’t have otherwise known, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions.
By noting campus tour dates ahead of time, you can try to string your visits together into one trip. This can be a great way to save money and time, while also giving you the opportunity to properly compare and contrast the schools.
3. Ask About Staying Overnight in a Dorm Room
Some colleges allow prospective students to stay overnight in the dorm but you will need to get permission in advance so that the necessary arrangements can be made. If the college doesn’t allow it, maybe consider staying in a nearby hotel so you can at least get a feel for the surrounding city or town.
4. Ask About Sitting in a Class
Some schools will also allow you to sit in on a class, but like staying in a dorm room, you need to get permission first. The professor will have to be alerted ahead of time by the college. Reach out to the department in charge of tours to ask about this possibility. However, never just walk into a classroom without permission. You could get in serious trouble (and it could even affect your admissions chances).
5. Plan your Summer Travel Around College Visits
Is your potential college within driving distance? Or is it a plane ride away? Will you be staying overnight? Are there other schools in the area you want to visit? Knowing all of the answers to these questions ahead of time will help you to properly plan your travel itinerary.
The earlier you get those plane tickets or book those hotel rooms, the more money you will be able to save.
6. Do Your Pre-Visit Homework
While the purpose of the college visit is to learn more about the college and its campus, students and faculty, you don’t want to show up on the appointed day knowing absolutely nothing. To get the most of your visit, it is important to know what to look for. Research what interests you about the college. Think about questions you want to ask the tour guide or students you see on campus. Consider where on campus and the surrounding city and town you want to see. Doing your homework will help you make the most of your visit.
7. Look At Their Social Media
Go through the college’s social media profiles. This will give you insight into events on campus, how students interact on social media, and how the college engages with its students. If the school isn’t active on social media, however, their website, newspaper, and newsletters may be a better source of information.
8. Don’t Forget to Take Notes
While doing your research, make lots of notes about things you want to know more about, the facilities you want to see, or classes you would like to ask to attend during your college visit. Carry your notebook along when visiting the college so you don’t forget anything. And your phone can be a great way to take pictures!
Visiting a college during the fall or spring semester is optimal as normal classes are in session, clubs are in full swing, and campus is full of students. However, sometimes, due to college tour dates and your own personal schedules, this isn’t always possible. The next best choice is summer, though. So if you do have to visit a college during summer, make sure to utilize these tips to make the most of the trip!
Before you head off to campuses to visit, you need to know what colleges you’re interested in. Use College Raptor’s College Match tool to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the US—for FREE!
