I remember the 1st college trip I took with my mom. I was not interested in the school at all, but it was not far from home and a perfect place to test the waters and practice my networking skills. I remember riding in the car in silence, unhappy that my mom was making me go on this college tour and interview. I walked into the admissions office, where the admissions counselor was introducing herself to everyone who walked in before we proceeded into an information session (one that was very insightful for outlining the entire college application process!) This was then followed by a tour of the campus, given by a current student, a junior studying philosophy. I had never even considered philosophy as a college major until then. Still, I was enamored by listening to her stories about her tight-knit group of fellow philosophy majors and her connections to her professor, thanks to the small class sizes. Three hours later on the car ride home, I couldn’t stop telling my mom how much I enjoyed the visit and how, even though I hadn’t originally thought I was going to apply to this school, maybe this visit had changed my mind.
What should go into a college visit?
Planning Ahead
You might be wondering how to approach college visits. A number of schools are more than happy to welcome walk-on visitors. However, some institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University, highly recommend registering online for both information sessions and guided tours in advance. If not, you may find yourself having to go on a self-guided tour because all the available slots for the day have been filled. Avoid this by planning ahead and visiting their admissions website to register in advance, even months in advance if the visit is scheduled during a busy time (e.g., summer months or a universal high school break like fall or spring).
Another piece of advice: have a list of targeted schools you would like to visit. Depending on feasibility, this may include an array of local schools or those from surrounding states. Take advantage of any breaks throughout the academic year as well. If you know you’ll be visiting family out of state during a fall, spring break, or summer, that would be a great time to consider visiting schools there, even if they may not be at the top of your list.
And remember, this should not be something you feel trepidation and frustration while preparing. In addition, try to think of ways in which you can have fun and actually enjoy your time on the campus. Take advantage of being in a new place to really explore.
For example, after the information session and guided tour I described above, my mom and I walked around the campus on our own and went down to a popular street a few blocks away, where many students went to eat lunch or grab a coffee.
Getting to know MORE than just academics
One of the most important aspects of a college visit is getting to know the campus and the surrounding communities. Ask yourself, “Is this a place I can see myself for the next 4 years?”
For example, a number of students come to me saying their top choice school is Cornell, while also saying they want to attend a large school in a big city.
And I ask them, “Do you know Cornell is 4 hours away from New York City by car?”
A majority of the time, that’s something they didn’t know, and Cornell goes from being their 1st choice to 5th or 6th.
Or a student may come to me with interest in living in Chicago and feel limited to the University of Chicago, not even aware that Northwestern is another feasible option, especially if they want to be out of the direct hustle and bustle of the city but still near a major hub (a quick CTA bus journey will get you there in fact!!.
These are the types of nuances that make college visits so insightful and beneficial for a student. Campus life and the city/small town/suburb you will be in for the next 4 years is a big part of it!
What else should I be aware of?
I recommend approaching college visits like any family holiday or trip with your friends; you may enjoy planning! For example, maybe you really love food! Maybe research the best places to eat around campus. What if you feel limited by these choices? What if your favorite food is Mexican and the closest Mexican restaurant is 2 towns over? It seems minuscule at the time, but when you’re craving some enchiladas in the middle of a grueling final’s reading period, it could make all the difference!
And when you go on college tours, be sure to speak with your tour guide, who is often a current student. Ask them what they do for fun, where their favorite places to eat are, and what clubs they’re in! This is also a great time to start gathering ideas for extracurricular activities you would love to get involved in at that school or others. When it comes time to write school-specific supplements for college applications, you could even write about these encounters to further demonstrate your interest in these schools. Maybe you learned about a particular niche club or community organization that you would not have if you hadn’t visited!
So, do college visits matter?
At the end of the day, college visits aren’t going to ultimately spin the needle in favor of an acceptance or a rejection at specific schools. Demonstrated interest may or may not be something that is tracked for admissions purposes. But especially at the most selective schools, like Harvard and UPenn, it is not going to make or break anything. Even if you register online for an information session or guided tour, this is not typically something admissions officers will see when they review your application file a year or two later.
But for you as an individual, college visits 100% matter. Get to know different types of schools: large vs. small, campus in a city vs. campus in a small town, tight-knit student body vs. too large even to remember anyone’s name outside of your classes. That’s what you want to learn about and why college visits matter.
And who knows? Maybe a school you had no idea would even be on your radar is actually the dream school you have been looking for, all because you visited! For more information on how to make the most out of your college visit, why not set up a free consultation with one of our admissions strategists?
Originally published in August 2018. Updated by one of our admissions consultants and republished in Nov. 2025.
FAQs About College Visits and College Tour Planning
College visits help you decide whether a school is truly the right fit. They give you a real sense of campus life, student culture, and the surrounding community—things you can’t always get from a website or brochure. Visiting in person can also help you compare different types of schools, such as large universities versus smaller colleges.
Start planning several months ahead, especially if you want to visit during busy times like summer or school breaks. Some colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins, require visitors to register online for tours and information sessions. Early planning ensures you get a spot and can make the most of your trip.
During your visit, attend an information session, take a guided campus tour, and talk with current students or admissions staff. Explore the campus and nearby neighborhoods, try local restaurants or cafes, and take notes on what stands out to you. These details will help later when writing college essays or comparing schools.
Go in with a plan. Research the college beforehand, write down questions to ask, and pay attention to how you feel on campus. Try to picture yourself living and studying there. After your visit, reflect on what you liked or didn’t like and use that insight to refine your college list.
For most schools, a campus visit doesn’t directly affect your admission chances. However, visiting can show genuine interest and give you stronger material to reference in your application essays. Even if the visit itself isn’t tracked, the insights you gain can make your application more personal and compelling.
Yes, visiting colleges you’re on the fence about can be surprisingly valuable. Many students end up discovering a new favorite school they hadn’t considered before. A visit helps you see what makes each campus unique and whether it feels like a good fit.
If travel isn’t possible, most colleges offer virtual campus tours, live Q&A sessions, and online information events. You can also reach out to current students or admissions representatives through email or social media to get a feel for the school’s environment.
Former Graduate Student Admissions Officerat University of Pennsylvania
Former Admissions Student Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University
3 Years in Johns Hopkins University Admissions
1 Year in UPenn Undergraduate Admissions
3,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated
Daniela Garcia received her Bachelor of Science from Johns Hopkins University, graduating with honors, where she double majored in both Neuroscience and Psychology along with a minor in Film & Media Studies. She earned her Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, focusing on higher education admissions and administration.
Having worked with students and families at various stages of the college admissions process, Daniela is committed to ensuring students are well prepared to apply to the most selective universities and ultimately determine what is the best fit school for them, having worked with both international and domestic students in the past.
