College visits 101: What To Know Before You Go

This article was originally published November 2018 and was updated April 2025. 

Spring is here—and for many high school sophomores and juniors, that means it’s officially college visit season. As the snow melts and campuses start to bloom, it’s the perfect time to explore potential schools in person. Whether you’re narrowing down your list or just starting to think about life after graduation, visiting colleges in the spring can give you a clearer picture of how it might feel to be on campus. Here are a few tips to make the most of those visits.

Research and Prepare

Having a list of prospective schools is a great start, but there’s so much more information that’s easily accessible and can help you make the right decision—including exploring the school’s social media tags and learning more about the surrounding city or town.

Also consider things like campus size, acceptance rates, and available majors, and jot down any questions your research doesn’t answer. Come prepared with those questions—students, staff, and admissions reps are usually more than happy to help.

Bonus tip: Use tools like College Scorecard or BigFuture to compare schools based on cost, student outcomes, and more.

Go Beyond the Campus Tour

Sure, a guided tour will give you the basics, but some of the best insights come when you wander off the official path. Try to explore a bit on your own and see what the campus feels like when you’re not being shown the highlights.

If you already know what you want to study, find time to check out those specific departments. Ask to sit in on a class or reach out to a professor or advisor to chat—many campuses offer opportunities like this, especially during the spring. It’s a great way to get a feel for classes beyond their course descriptions.

Don’t Be Shy

College visits are an amazing chance to get to know a school’s culture—and current students are one of the best resources out there.

Don’t be shy about chatting with students on campus. Ask what they love, what surprised them, or what they wish they’d known before enrolling. Student ambassadors are helpful, but random encounters in the dining hall or student center might give you a more candid take.

Bonus tip: Don’t be timid! Remember, they’re only a few years older than you and still adjusting to life after high school too.

Take Notes

If you’re touring more than one campus, details start to blur. Snap photos, jot down quick thoughts in your notes app, and even record voice memos between stops (your real-time, off-the-cuff audio journals!).

Organize photos and notes by school in a Google Drive folder, or use an app for college visits like College Fair or Niche to track what you saw and felt. Trust us—you’ll thank yourself for these notes when it’s time to make a decision.

Be Curious and Have Fun!

College visits can be eye-opening, fun, and sometimes even a little overwhelming—but they’re an essential part of finding the right fit. Take your time, trust your gut, and enjoy the experience!

If you want more help with making your decision, get in touch with your BlueSky counselor—they’re always happy to help and have lots of resources to share with you.