Campus Visit Checklist

How to make the most of your trip.

Visiting a college campus helps you get a sense of what a college─and student life at that college─is like. This can help you decide whether the school is right for you .

When planning your campus visits, allow time to explore each college. While you're there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admissions staff , professors, and students. Below are some other things you can do while visiting. Note that some activities, such as meeting with an admissions officer or staying overnight in a residence hall, might need to be set up in advance.

Gather Information

Find out what you need to do to apply. See if the college's class and major offerings are what you want. Be sure to take the following steps:

  • Take part in a group information session at the admissions office.
  • Interview with an admission officer.
  • Get information about financial aid options and deadlines .
  • Sit in on a class that interests you. If classes aren’t in session, just see what the classrooms are like.
  • Meet a professor who teaches a subject that interests you.
  • Talk to students about what they think of their classes and professors.
  • Get the names of the people you meet and their business cards so you can contact them later if you have questions.

Explore the Campus

Get a feel for student life and see if this college is a place where you will do well:

  • Take a campus tour.
  • Talk to current students about life on campus and the college.
  • Check out the first-year residence halls. Stay overnight in a residence hall , if possible.
  • Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities.
  • Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play.
  • Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.

Check Out Campus Media

Tune in to learn what’s happening on campus and what’s on students’ minds:

  • Listen to the college radio station.
  • Read the student newspaper.
  • Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternative newspapers and literary reviews.
  • Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.
  • Go to the career center and learn what services it offers.
  • Browse the school’s website and any campus blogs.

Questions to Ask During Your Visit

Here are some questions you may want to ask your tour guide or students you meet on campus:

  • What are the best reasons to go to this college?
  • What’s it like to go from high school to college?
  • What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?
  • What do you love about this college?
  • What do you wish you could change about this college?
  • Why did you choose this college?
  • What is it like to live here?

Adapted from  Campus Visits and College Interviews  by Zola Dincin Schneider.

What’s a campus visit?

A campus visit is a planned visit to a college or university campus. It involves a guided campus tour, information sessions, and meeting with admissions officers. Visitors can interact with current students, explore the campus community, and see if the college matches their interests and goals. The purpose is to provide firsthand experience and insight into the college's environment.

Why is it important to visit a campus?

Visiting a campus is important because it allows prospective students to get a feel for the college's atmosphere and culture. It enables you to explore the facilities, interact with current students, and envision yourself as part of the community. It also allows you to ask questions, gather information, and make an informed decision about your college choice.

How do I prepare for a campus visit?

Start by researching the college beforehand to familiarize yourself with its programs, activities, and campus layout. Create a checklist of areas you want to explore and questions you want to ask during the visit. Plan your visit by scheduling a campus tour and a meeting with an admissions representative.

What should I include in my college visit checklist?

Schedule a campus tour and attend an information session to learn about the college's programs and campus life. Arrange to sit in on a class and meet with an admissions representative to discuss your interests and ask questions. Engage with current students to gain insights into campus culture and explore campus facilities and the surrounding area. Take notes, gather information on financial aid, and follow up with a thank-you note or email after the visit.

How can I make the most of my college visit?

Plan well ahead if you want to make the most of your college visit. Research the college beforehand, including its programs, campus facilities, and student organizations. After the visit, review your college visit checklist and the notes you made. These will help you reflect on your experience and consider how well the college aligns with your goals and preferences.

Related Articles

College Visit Pros & Cons Worksheet

College Visit Worksheet

Choosing a college is usually largely about the numbers (such as tuition, student enrollment, and financial aid). But gut feelings about whether the school is the right fit are also a vital part of the decision process. Use this worksheet to take notes on your feelings about the colleges you visit, and refer to it to help you make your decision about this big next step!

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College Visit Checklist

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First published April 12, 2013. Updated May 25, 2022

The college search process is daunting. Using a  college visit checklist  is a big help in knowing what to look for. The insight you purposefully gather will help you make an informed decision and the best decision for you.

top image - college lecture hall seats, bottom image - 3 blue, red and white college visit checklist sheets

Last summer we spontaneously took two college tours just because we were in the vicinity of those colleges.  We immediately realized how important it is to prepare for your college tours. You can’t be a spectator in this process and gain anything of value. So to make these visits be more productive I just had to make a  College Visit Checklist , of course. 

How Should I Prepare for a College Visit?

  • Spend time on the school’s website and learn more about the school and how it meets your unique interests and needs. 
  • Think about what is important to you in selecting a university.
  • Research what programs of study are available at the university that may interest you.
  • Print out and review the College Visit Checklist in preparation for your visit.
  • Be prepared to take notes. Trust me, you’re not going to remember everything after the tour if you don’t get it down in writing.
  • Take advantage of the resources for more than 140 college resources available at College Scoops .
  • Talk to friends, teachers and neighbors who attended the university.

Using a prepared  college visit worksheet  helps your student pay attention during the visit and focus on what’s important. It also helps her ask specific questions if  topics important to her are not covered in the presentation.  There’s also room to add information that we didn’t anticipate  (which was a lot!).

Print out your copy of the  university visit checklist.  Yes, a printed checklist is old school, but research has shown that writing information down helps the brain process it more effectively than typing it on a screen.

Whether you take notes on your phone or by hand, it’s a good idea to arrive for college visits with a prepared list of questions and to record the answers and information you learn.

We found it helpful to look up some of the general information about the school on the school’s website before the visit. Using that information, we got started on filling out the checklist.  That research provided a quick orientation to the school and allowed my daughter to focus more on the presentation for answers to specific questions that were important to her.

close up of 3 college visit checklist sheets

You can download your own copy of my  College Visit Questions pdf  to use for your college tours. Simply sign up for our newsletter and promptly receive an email with the checklist. 

Sign up for campus visits at as many colleges as possible.

  • If you’re unable to visit a college in person, most offer a virtual tour option.
  • Sign up for both the group information session with the admissions rep and also a campus tour with a student tour guide.
  • It’s a great way to get a feel for college life at each particular college.
  • After the official tour, be sure to take time to wander around the college campus on your own with a campus map.

What questions should I ask at a college visit?

  • Requirements of specific programs
  • Opportunities to work with professors or on research projects
  • Access to specialized facilities or equipment
  • Internship opportunities and requirements
  • Study abroad opportunities and requirements
  • Specific questions for an admissions officer about your application
  • Dorms and dorm rooms
  • Dining halls, food options and accommodations for dietary restrictions and food allergies
  • Classrooms, labs and access to specific equipment
  • Student Union
  • Medical clinic
  • Parking and parking passes
  • Popular activities
  • Campus life traditions
  • Restaurants on campus and off
  • Off campus activities and shopping
  • Campus safety
  • Access to public transportation
  • Create your own list of questions based on your unique needs and interests. Talk to current students, if you feel inclined. A good opening question is, “What are the best things about going to this school?”

You can do online research and gain a lot of information before your visit. Look up

  • Information on the college career center page
  • Campus newspaper and student newspapers
  • Check the school’s accounts
  • Check school related hashtags
  • Check out the detailed information and virtual tours of many college on College Scoops

woman holding notebook in college dorm room with desk and book case

We visited 3 universities in 2 days.  We heard presentations and took the tours at each of the three College Visit Checklist.  We were inundated with a lot of information and details. To keep track of the information unique to each school, it was key to have a college visit checklist for each school and fill it out during or immediately after each visit. 

clear folder with checklist and pen

I realized that carrying the loose pages of checklists around wouldn’t work. I found a sturdy folder to hold the checklists and a pen . Having the folder was also helpful for holding brochures, handouts and business cards we picked up at each college. The folder and the checklist worked well for us on the visits. 

Since we took the time and made the effort to drive 10 hours each way on this trip, I wanted to make sure that my daughter (well,  really all of us) got the most out of each college visit.  And the checklist helped us do just that.

I can’t overstate the benefits of a college visit checklist in helping your student gather the information needed to make an informed decision on the best choice for her and her future.

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Pin for later so you can easily find all these tips for preparing for college and this college visit checklist.

You can find all our best  college tips  in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.

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I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.

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You are such a good Mom! Love the folder, love the “clip board” I bet your daughter was happy to have them! College visits are stressful, but it sounds like you were prepared!

Thanks for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen party! I am always amazed at your organization skills!

Following the Scout motto- Be Prepared! I hear ya…my daughter is finishing her 2nd yr of college and back when it came time to consider colleges we were stunned she was old enough to graduate and go to college – where was our baby?! Campus visits are important because something can look good on paper (or online) and when you walk through the campus you will usually get an immediate ‘nay’ or ‘yay’ feeling that you should listen to. That tiny voice that says I ‘just don’t feel it here’, or ‘I’m getting a great feeling about this university’! Visiting from the chicken chick. Good luck with the search and upcoming graduation! 🙂 shawn

Shawn, Thanks for the encouragement. It’s such a daunting task! I’ll try to pay closer attention to that “tiny voice.” It’s good to hear that other moms and dads survived kicking their babies out of the nest. 🙂

What a great checklist to keep confusion away. Thank you for sharing this at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Hi Susan! This is so clever– but first off, I’m in-love with your blog! I really like that upcycled sweater idea. I just want to add on books and fees, yeah some schools are using e-texbooks with pricey access fees, we need to keep that in mind.

Lisa, thanks for the support! And hadn’t thought about checking the books and fees, but that’s definitely important to consider. Thanks for letting me know.

Hi Susan, my name is Sandra Bugbee my Daughter is 17 and will be Graduating June 2020. We feel like we are flying blind as we have never had to Apply for College in over 30 years and so much has changed. if you could advise as we feel like we have come to the party late. Thank You in Advance Sincerely Sandra A Bugbee

My third “baby” is in his junior year, so I really do understand how overwhelming the college process can be, Sandra. I’ve shared many of our “lessons learned” on the blog. I’ve also collected all my different posts and listed them here on this page – Top Tips for College Success . Let me know if you have any other questions. And enjoy this year with your daughter. It’s a big one for both of you.

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  • Apr 3, 2023

The College Visit Worksheet: Nice to Have vs. Must Haves

There are more than 4,200 colleges and universities in the U.S., so narrowing down choices for college can be challenging.

Try not to get too overwhelmed with the process and your progress. A good place to start when thinking about what you want in a college is to create a list of things that you really want to have, and things that are nice to have when it comes to college, or living on campus. For example, I knew I wanted a school that was located near family, so that narrowed my list down considerably to Texas, California, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. From there, I researched schools that offered majors that interested me - even though I was unsure what to study.

A college visit worksheet like this will help you begin to narrow down the what and why behind your selections. If you're unsure what you want (which is totally fine), you can start with a list of what you DON'T want in a campus. I also knew I didn't want to go to school in a cold climate. Schools in New York, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota would have never been on my list.

There's no right or wrong way to create your list. You (and your family) know you best, so try to include as much as you can. From there, it will give you topics to research for each campus and when you visit a campus, you will have some questions to ask.

Here are a few examples of things that may be a nice to have vs. must have:

Academic program(s) and areas of studies

Weather/Climate (humid, moderate climate, rainy, cold, snowy, etc.)

Curfew/Visitor hours

Laundry in-building

Number of eateries on campus/ special nutrition/diet-specific eateries/menus

Potential jobs/industry-post graduation

Service learning opportunities

Student parking/ car allowance

On-campus living requirement

Intramural sports and activities

Dorm/residence halls (roommate? communal bathrooms?

To help you on this journey, download our ' Nice to Have vs Must Have Worksheet ', a fillable PDF with two columns for you to note what you want (or don't want). Check it out below!

Image of Nice To Have vs Must Have worksheet from the college visit journal

If you want more details about what this could look like, check out our original blog post here.

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COMMENTS

  1. PDF Campus Visit Checklist

    1 DECIDE WHERE AND HOW See if your school arranges group trips to colleges or if you could get a group of friends together and visit the campus. A family trip is another option and allows you to involve your family in the process. 2 PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT Before you set out, get a map of the college campus and pick out places of interest.

  2. Campus Visit Checklist

    Explore the Campus Get a feel for student life and see if this college is a place where you will do well: Take a campus tour. Talk to current students about life on campus and the college. Check out the first-year residence halls. Stay overnight in a residence hall , if possible.

  3. PDF COLLEGE VISIT WORKSHEET

    Address: Phone #: Location: Date of Visit Website: In-State Out-Of-State In person Virtual How did you explore campus? (Check all that apply) Tour Info Session Name of Tour Guide: Name of Info Session Presenter: Name of Regional Admissions Representative: Which application is accepted? (Check all that apply)

  4. PDF College Visit Summary Sheet

    Step Seven: Read, Write, Visit 49 College Visit Summary Sheet Before visiting a college be sure to review carefully the information in the school brochure or Web site. Upon completion of your visit, write your responses to the following issues. Do this for each college visited and then compare your summaries for each.

  5. College Visit Checklist Worksheet

    Choosing a college is usually largely about the numbers (such as tuition, student enrollment, and financial aid). But gut feelings about whether the school is the right fit are also a vital part of the decision process. Use this worksheet to take notes on your feelings about the colleges you visit, and refer to it to help you make your decision ...

  6. Free College Visit Worksheet

    Download Sara Harberson's free template to keep track of all of your college visits and jot down your thoughts and experiences for each college you see.

  7. PDF COLLEGE VISIT WORKSHEET

    Microsoft Word - COLLEGE VISIT WORKSHEET.docx Created Date: 2/1/2021 11:26:36 PM ...

  8. PDF Things to Think About Pros Cons Level of Importance

    Microsoft Word - College Visit Worksheet_final.doc Author: UDEANJU Created Date: 7/24/2013 1:03:09 PM ...

  9. PDF College Visit Guide

    college. Or that a visit is the only way to learn about a college. In fact, there are countless ways to learn about and experience a college all from the comfort of your own living room - through a virtual tour, a guidebook, or an email to a current student. But, a visit is one way to learn about a college, and one

  10. PDF CJHGVUVSF PSH DPMMFHF TFBSDI

    the college. Contacts Write down the names of anyone you want to remember or contact later—admissions and financial aid staff, professors, coaches, or students. name. contact: name. contact: name. contact: name. contact: name. contact: College Search Online Get maps and directions. Create a college list and save these campus notes online.

  11. PDF Make the Most of your C visits

    Below is a list of questions to ask and things to observe on a college visit. Admission and Financial Aid Campus Academic Student Life What are the GPA and SAT® /ACT® test score requirements for admission and scholarships? Is there an admission application fee? If so, when is it due? Is it refundable?

  12. PDF College Visit 101

    College Visit 101 Questions Parents and Students Should Ask During a College Visit The Basics This list is meant to provide prospective students and parents with ideas of people to talk with during an on-campus visit, as well as important questions to ask them. Keep in mind that it is

  13. PDF Campus Visit Questions

    1. What are the admission requirements and deadlines? 2. What is the cost of tuition & fees, housing & food, and books? 3. What are housing options? Will I be required to live on campus? Are meal plans required? 4. What is the average class size? Are classes taught by professors or graduate assistants? 5. What is the student to faculty ratio? 6.

  14. PDF College Visit Worksheet Cost Minimum GPA Application Fee

    College Visit Worksheet Name of College/University _____ Date of Visit _____ Time of Tour _____ Tuition Financial Aid Admissions Minimum GPA Minimum ACT/SAT Do they Superscore Application Deadline Interview Required Undergraduate Student Population Average Class Size ...

  15. College Visit Checklist: 30 Must Ask College Visit Questions

    Below are over 30 questions for your college visit checklist. Bring them along on your visit and make note of the answers during the tour. What is the mode of transportation to the school? Travel time? Am I ok with the travel time? Major and department desired at this school? How up-to-date is that department's facilities?

  16. PDF Top 36 College Visit Questions

    Top 36 College Visit Questions When you're on a college campus, my advice is to slow down and ask a lot of questions. Ideally, you'll want to talk with more than just the admission staff. Stop a few students during your stay and ask them what they like and don't like about their school. If you can talk to a professor or two, even better.

  17. PDF 3 Activity #3: The Ultimate Test DriveÑMaking the Most of the Campus Visit

    The College Visit Checklist The Campus Visit College Comparison Worksheet Instructions Review the College Visit Handout 1. Go over the ÒThe Campus VisitÓ allowing time for questions and discussion. 2. Give each student the ÒCollege Visit ChecklistÓ and talk about how the list can also be useful if a student attends a college fair. 3.

  18. College Visit Checklist

    Updated May 25, 2022 The college search process is daunting. Using a college visit checklist is a big help in knowing what to look for. The insight you purposefully gather will help you make an informed decision and the best decision for you. Table of Contents How Should I Prepare for a College Visit? College Visit Checklist

  19. The College Visit Worksheet: Nice to Have vs. Must Haves

    There are more than 4,200 colleges and universities in the U.S., so narrow down choices for college using the tips laid out here and the included college visit worksheet. Unsure where to start when researching college, or how to narrow down your choices?

  20. PDF College Visit Profile

    College Visit Profile SCHOOL 1 SCHOOL 2 SCHOOL 3 School name School website School type (technical college, 2-year, 4-year, etc.; public, private) School setting (city, suburb, country) Student body size Location (in-state, out-of-state) Distance from home Degree types offered (e.g. AA, AS, BA, BS)

  21. Worksheets

    This worksheet is from College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the School for You, Dr. Antonoff's how-to guide for students and parents. In this new, revised self-survey, students rate 54 short statements about their educational attitudes, goals, and perspectives. As they score their responses, students will better understand their growth ...

  22. PDF ' SPPIKI: MWMX; SVOWLIIX 2 EQ IERH0SGEXMSRSJ' SPPIKI

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  23. College Visit Worksheet Pdf

    01 Start by downloading the college visit worksheet pdf from a reliable source or the college's official website. 02 Open the downloaded pdf file using a pdf reader or editor software on your computer or mobile device. 03 Review the instructions provided on the worksheet to understand what information you need to gather during your college visit.