How to Plan a Great College Tour

We are fresh off our annual college tour (we go visit several schools each year so that we can continue to offer our families new thoughts about perennial favorites as well as add new schools to our most-recommended list), and we wanted to share our thoughts on how to plan a great college tour. This information applies to sophomores, juniors, and seniors–so whether you are planning your first college trip or have already visited several schools, keep these tips in mind to make the most out of the experience.

Tips for Planning a Great College Tour

1. Make a short list of top schools. Once you have your list of must-see schools, group them by region. Be realistic about how many you can see on a single tour, but definitely try to maximize your trip value by visiting several schools in the same region if possible.
2. Give yourself ample time. We recommend at least a day to day and a half per school to give the best sense of what the school and campus life are really like.
3. Be in touch with the admissions office. Check the school’s admissions page or call the admissions office to find out about tours and special information sessions. You can also plan class visits and possibly overnight dorm stays through the admissions office.
4. Pretend to be a college student. Beyond the scheduled tours and info sessions, try to act as much as possible like a real student would. Sit in on a class in a major you think you might pursue. Eat in the dining hall. Read the student newspaper. If you know any students who are currently attending the school, ask if you can check out their dorm rooms.
5. Visit during the school year. Take advantage of the fact that high school and college calendars are often different and make sure you don’t visit during the college’s spring or summer break. And try not to schedule a visit during midterms or finals, when students are stressed and busy.
6. Consider hiring an expert. A travel agent can help you navigate the complexities of flights, car rentals, and hotel bookings (especially if you plan on visiting multiple campuses). A college planner can also help you develop an itinerary or suggest lesser-known schools in the region that might turn out to be the perfect fit.
7. Check for special rates. Some schools work with the local chamber of commerce or alumni network to provide discounted rates on rooms or home rentals.
8. Get off campus. This is the place where you’ll be living for the next four years, so make sure to tour the town or city to see what the restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods around the campus are like.
9. Make it a bonding experience. College tours provide a unique opportunity for one-on-one (or one-on-two, if both parents go) travel for a parent and child. Try not to let the pressure of the college application process mar the experience–instead, take some time to do a non-college-related activity or two. If you’re doing a road trip, take it slow and enjoy the drive as a time to really chat about what is to come in the next few years of high school and then college.
10. Take notes. Don’t trust that you will remember all the little details that stand out to you! Take notes about your impressions and the things you most like and dislike about each school you visit.

If you have any questions about planning the best possible college tour, please give us a call. You can reach us at 720-216-2222 or info@eliteacademics.com. And stay tuned for our upcoming post highlighting some of our favorite schools from our recent trip.