How to Make the Most of your College Tour

Unless you’re sure of which college you want to attend, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity to take a tour, with other incoming freshmen, of your chosen campuses. This can help you get a sense of more than just what you’ll be studying and where. After all, academics is just one part of the college experience.

Use these tips to make sure your college tour visits are thorough and helpful. You might find that the college you thought you wanted to go to isn’t what you thought it was, after all.

1. Spend most of your time at the student union.

The student union is ground zero for all the happenings at campus. It’s where people meet to form study groups, where many student life offices are, and where you’ll find spots to grab a quick lunch and study break. Spending time at the student union will give you a good idea of the cultural vibe on campus.

If you are visiting during the school year, the student union might be filled with students from various clubs. You should talk to them and get an idea of what to expect from the school’s culture and typical student life. Poke around where the giant bulletin boards are, and see if other students are participating in activities, clubs and social events you might be interested. If you’re into theater, check to see if there are lots of productions and auditions going on. Love sports? Make sure your school has a thriving intramural scene.

2. Invite your tour guide to lunch.

It’s likely your tour guide will be trained to give a specific tour with information they share with everyone. Generally, it’ll be approved information by the school. If you want to get insider information, invite your tour guide out for lunch after the tour, or just for a cup of coffee and a chat. It’s amazing what you’re likely to find out when you’re in a less formal setting.

If you ask, your tour guide will be able to provide important information on housing, like what dorms to aim for and which to stay away from, depending on your interests. Tips for getting along with a roommate, and which professors are must-takes for your core courses. They can also let tell you whether students have jobs on campus or off, and even give you a heads up on places that might be hiring. If it seems like all the spots that hire students are already full, consider a work-from-home job like tutoring other students in a subject you excel in, with a company like SolutionInn.

3. Visit a school at the bottom of your list.

It’s possible you have a school in mind that few people, if any, could sway you from. Your mind is made up. You’re going there. But keep an open mind before you send in that decision e-mail. If you can swing it, try and visit a school that accepted you, but that you feel may not be a good fit. You might be surprised. Especially if the school is smaller or has an older or less-traditional schedule, you might find those traits appealing after visiting.

Colleges are as individual as the students attending them, and not every college is going to be right for every student. Some students even transfer in the middle of their degree programs because the college turned out not to be the right fit. Avoid this costly mistake (both in time and money) by ensuring your tour gives you all the information you need right away.