A website or brochure can spark your interest, but a personal visit is a must.
Be sure to check out a college — or two or three — in person.
Types of Tours
Make the most of your visit and avoid disappointment by planning ahead. Campus tours are much
more interesting when classes are in session. Check the academic calendar and make sure your
tour date is not during finals week or the quarter break between classes.
Guided group tour
General campus tours cover a lot of area in a short amount of time and give you a feel for the college overall. Unless tailored for your group, you might not get to visit the specific programs you want to see.
Individual visit
If you only want to sit in a biology class or spend time in an automotive lab, you will need to arrange directly with the department staff or faculty.
Self-guided walking tour
Get a campus map and visit the public areas of the campus, such as the cafeteria, library, student center, and bookstore.
Visitation Programs
Open house
Many colleges host events like college fairs and open houses for the public. These are often held evenings or Saturdays. While you may not get a campus tour, you can meet faculty and staff to connect you with resources and answer your questions one-on-one.
Program information session
Some programs have regularly scheduled information sessions. This is a great option if you are interested in only seeing one program in-depth.
Virtual Tours
Some college have created online virtual tours for you to get a feel for their campus, from
wherever you are!