University Tours: How to make the most of in-person visits to campus

Summer is coming and many of our students will visit at least one college campus before the school year resumes. Here is what to do, what to expect, and how to maximize the benefits of your visit.

Who should visit universities and why should you go?

Colleges worldwide encourage prospective students and their parents to tour universities together. From as early as ninth grade onwards, students will find it helpful to see universities in person. However, the greatest benefits will be for rising juniors and seniors. For these students, in-person visits offer the opportunity to refine their university lists and even meet admissions officers who will be reading their applications. Best of all, they might discover a university that they love the most – giving them the confidence to increase their chances of success by applying with a binding Early Decision (ED) application.

For colleges that track demonstrated interest, your visit also signals that you are a serious applicant who might actually attend if offered a place. Furthermore, if a college doesn’t track interest, you can use the visit to become a known applicant by reaching out to your admissions officer before and after your trip. This brings us to…

Interacting with admissions officers

Don’t be a stealth visitor! Let your admissions officer know that you are coming to town. Here is what to do:

• About a month before your tours, write to your regional admissions officer to request a brief meeting when you are on campus. Ask your Ivy Options counselor to help you draft this email.

• Check to see if your colleges offer any on-campus admission interviews. If so, be sure to sign up – and ask your Ivy Options counselor to prepare you for it with a practice session.

• During the information session and tour, ask good questions. Use this opportunity to help you decide if you’d fit in and thrive at the school. Take great notes too; you can use them to write strong supplemental essays when you apply.

• Finally, after your visit, write a thank-you note to your admissions officer (copying anyone else you spoke to). Mention what you loved about your visit, ask any additional questions you may have, and tell them how excited you are to apply in the fall – or in the future.

How to attend sessions and enjoy student experiences

As soon as you know the dates when you will be touring, watch for in-person registration at each college to open up. You should sign up for the guided tour and the admissions information session. Each lasts up to one hour and should be done back-to-back in either order. On the tour, you’ll have the chance to see classrooms, libraries, dormitories, dining halls, and favorite student haunts. You’ll hear anecdotes from your guide – who will be a current student – about student traditions and his or her favorite aspects of attending the college. Be sure to walk alongside your guide as you move from stop to stop to ask questions. Sometimes guides can share their email address so you can write to them with additional questions.

Other opportunities to look out for:

• Some schools will let you attend a class or spend the day with a current student. Read the ‘visit’ section of each college’s admissions website to see what’s on offer.

• Check out the college’s most popular student center and have lunch in a campus cafeteria.

• If you hope to compete in varsity sports, message the coach to inform him or her about your visit. For D3 schools, the coach can reply at any time. For D1 or D2 schools, coaches can only contact you after June 15th of sophomore year.

Remember: Both students and parents must register for visit sessions unless you plan to do a self-guided tour around the campus. If there is no availability for an official tour or talk, self-guided tour maps are often available to download from each college’s admissions website.

When should you go?

Spring break and summer are typically the best times to visit. If you have an October or February half term, it is fantastic to visit when everyone is on campus. You will gain a vibrant picture of student life and might even be able to sit in on a class. Keep the weather in mind too. If you tour a northern campus on a sunny summer day, consider how cold it might get in the winter! Likewise, if you visit in February, remind yourself that spring will bring a more lively campus atmosphere.

In the UK, Open Days typically take place in May, June, July, and October. These days are the best way to find out more about your course, the university’s culture, and how to apply. You can also visit lecture halls, attend taster sessions, and meet faculty members. Be sure to sign up by email to receive information about session dates so you don’t miss out.

European universities also encourage visits – look for more information on their websites.

Plan your itinerary

You can often visit two universities per day depending on how close the campuses are. If possible, leave time on one side of your visit for a formal or informal chat with an admissions representative. Be sure to reserve your places far in advance because tours and information sessions tend to book up quickly in peak times like summer and spring break.

And if you can’t go in person?

Not everyone has the time or budget to tour in person, but you still can and should visit virtually for all the reasons mentioned above. Take advantage of virtual tours on YouVisit.com, CampusReel.org, and the universities’ own websites. Online you will also find live and recorded information sessions, student panels, and even model classes at some universities. The best way to decide where you want to attend a college is to visit, whether in person or online!

Finally, consider touring with Ivy Options

In summer 2023, Ivy Options plans to resume university tours for students led by our Director, Mary Ellen Simoni. These trips are fantastic opportunities to see up to 22 universities over approximately two weeks, usually in July. Our tour includes introductions to admissions officers, special admissions talks for Ivy Options students, and essay writing workshops. If you are graduating in 2024 or later, please watch for more information about these exciting trips.