College campus tour checklist

There is a lot that goes into choosing the perfect college for you. But there is no need to worry because we’re here to help guide the way. The truth is, you’ll know when a college is right for you. The atmosphere and campus culture will immediately call to you and everything will fall into place. 

When you’re visiting different campuses and trying to figure out which one is the best for you, the necessary information could get lost in the mix. That’s why we created a college tour checklist that is perfect for situations like this. 

Using a checklist for each school you visit is a great way to stay organized. Every school will have a library, and the student union and its buildings will more or less blend into each other. Their classrooms will have desks, and whiteboards, and most likely be multiple stories high. You’ll need a way to make a distinction between all of the schools after the tours are over. Your checklist can help determine which school is the best one for you.

Visiting a college campus is one of the best ways to know whether the school is the right fit for you. Immediately upon stepping onto a college campus, you’ll get a feeling of belonging. If you don’t get that feeling right away, keep looking! The right fit for you is out there.

College campuses vary in size, student life, resources, landscape, and location. The best way to keep track of what you’ve seen when visiting colleges is by using a checklist. A checklist can help be your guide when you’re touring campus. It’ll ensure that you’re making time to see all of the things that are important to you.

Using a checklist for each school you visit is a great way to stay organized. Every school will have a library, student union, and its buildings will more or less blend into each other. Their classrooms will have desks, whiteboards, and most likely be multiple stories high. You’ll need a way to make a distinction between all of the schools after the tours are over. Your checklist can help determine which school was the best one for you.

Changes since the COVID-19 outbreak

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus across the country, college campuses have shut down and students have been sent home to finish the semester. Because of this, in-person college tours have been canceled. It can be difficult to know if a school is right for you without actually stepping foot on their campus. However, there are alternatives to campus tours during these difficult times.

Admitted students can access virtual tours that are now being offered by some schools. In addition, students can browse the school’s website to get a better understanding of what the school has to offer. Students should also take advantage of social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to gauge how real students that attend the school are performing and what they think about the campus. While these are not as interactive, high school students should take advantage of the technology presented to them to view college campuses.

Now, let’s determine what’s important to you in a college campus

If you’re a science major, perhaps you’ll want to check out their STEM facilities. Or if you know you’ll be spending a lot of time in the library, you’ll want to determine whether it’s conducive to your study style. Even exploring the dining hall on campus, can help shift your decision. Food is so important that the Princeton Review released a list of which college campuses have the best food. We hear Bowdoin College even hosts a lobster bake every year!

Considering campus diversity, weather, landscape, and methods of transportation

Along with campus geography, your checklist should also include sections for diversity, weather, and methods of transportation. According to U.S. News, many schools won’t even allow you to have a car. Maybe you won’t need a car in your first year of college and you’re able to get to and from your classes using a bus. Weather can play a bigger role in your decision than you may think. If you’ve lived in Florida your whole life, the weather is extremely important. You’ll determine if you’re ready to leave year-round sunshine to venture into bitter cold winters.

Campus diversity is also important in determining if you’ll fit in. Do you see a lot of students that look like you or are you standing out? Pomona College was ranked the #1 Most Diverse College by niche.com. If being around students of various cultures and backgrounds is important to you, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings when viewing the campus.

You might be surprised when your least favorite school has now bumped its way up in your rankings due to its landscape and greenery. Or even a school you thought you’d love, ended up not being as great because of their outdated buildings and lack of accessibility. Whatever the case is, using a checklist is a great way to keep track of your thoughts on each school you visit. Stay organized and ensure you’re making the most of your campus visit by checking things off on your list.

Remember, if you aren’t able to physically visit school campuses virtual tours are still available to you. Youvisit.com has a number of colleges and universities that you can tour from your own home.

Use our College Campus Checklist to guide you on your college tours. Print out as many as you need and bring them with you when conducting your visits.

Want to learn more about how to make the most out of your college application process? Let us help.

Campus changes in 2022

Online classes or not, colleges across the country are changing. Covid-19 took us by surprise, but now campuses are slowly reverting to their regular ways. While each college campus is different, a lot of them are holding in-person classes again for the fall 2022 semesters. Check in with your college of choice to figure out what might be changing. There is still always the option of online classes for those that need the option. 

Across the board it is recommended that you wear a mask to keep everyone safe; however, it is not required. Vaccinations are strongly advised no matter what college you are attending. A lot of colleges are strongly encouraging that you receive the vaccine. If not, Testing weekly or bi-weekly is advised. 

Colleges that are doing in-person visits

Colleges are slowly opening back up for in-person tours and visits. However, if you are uncomfortable with going to the campus or live far away from it, there are always alternatives. Here is an updated list of the colleges that are allowing in-person tours: 

The list you are about to read is in alphabetical order and also doesn’t list all of the colleges that are reopening. If you don’t see your desired college on this list, feel free to conduct your research and look up if the college of your choice is hosting on-site visits again.

What Colleges Are Doing On-Campus Visits

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• Amherst College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Barnard College
• Bates College
• Baylor University
• Berea College
• Boise State
• Boston College 
• Boston University
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• California Institute of Technology
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Claremont McKenna College

• Clemson University
• Colby College
• Colgate University
• College of Charleston
• College of the Holy Cross
• College of William & Mary
• Cornell University 
• Davidson College
• Denison University
• DePauw University
• Dickinson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Embry Riddle
• Franklin and Marshall College
• George Washington University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Gettysburg College
• Grinnell College
• Harvard University  

When to visit college campuses

Junior year and senior year of high school is typically the best time to tour colleges. If you have the opportunity to tour a college, take it! You can learn a lot about a college by researching it online, but sometimes seeing it in person can help you make the final call on where you can see yourself being the happiest and most comfortable during college. Tour as many colleges as you can, so you can make your final decision feeling as confident as possible. 

What to look for in a college

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the college of your dreams. It’s a process that you should take a lot of time considering. Make sure you are asking the right questions on tours and feeling out the campus to make sure it is the right one for you. Here are some other things to consider when looking at different colleges. 

• Safety: It’s important to know that the school you will be attending is a safe place. Make sure to acknowledge the on-campus safety and that they have the right safety measures put in place.

 

• Academic support: How a college assists with a student’s academic support is also a major factor to consider. If you are a student that wants extra time to study or someone to study with, then these are the types of questions to ask. Ensure that there is a tutoring center for you to utilize.

 

• Campus life: How is the campus life? Is it a place where you will be able to blend it well? Is this a place that you can call home? Consider these questions while you are touring colleges because you will be on this campus for the next four years, make sure it is a place you can enjoy being at!

 

• Athletics: Interested in music, theatre, sports, or student government? Whatever you plan on participating in, college is a time to explore new passions and develop old hobbies. The right school for you will have the opportunities to do both.

 

• Majors: Each school has a different curriculum design, so consider what you want to get out of the next four years. Are you hoping for classes very specific to one discipline or more diverse experiences? You’ll also want to find out which majors, minors, and concentrations are offered at each school you’re considering.

 

• Cost of tuition: The sticker price in most schools is not usually what a student will pay, especially in private colleges. Ask about financial aid and scholarship opportunities at the colleges or universities you are interested in. There are also many local scholarships and renewable scholarships available.

What is important on a college campus

When you find colleges that have these three characteristics—reputable and varied academic programs, a focus on educating the whole person, and a campus culture that is the envy of all other colleges—plus, a willingness to work with you on the price tag, know that you’ve found a good college. 

A place where you can expand your knowledge, become part of a community, learn something about yourself, and go on to lead a successful professional and personal life.

College campus checklist

When you find colleges that have these three characteristics—reputable and varied academic programs, a focus on educating the whole person, and a campus culture that is the envy of all other colleges—plus, a willingness to work with you on the price tag, know that you’ve found a good college. 

A place where you can expand your knowledge, become part of a community, learn something about yourself, and go on to lead a successful professional and personal life.

College campus touring checklist

Questions you should ask while you are college-touring:

Key takeaways about your college checklist

Print out your checklist and make sure to ask all the right questions when touring the college of your dreams. It is important to make sure you find the perfect place for you to continue your education. Lastly, make sure to ensure that the colleges you tour have everything you need to feel comfortable. Whether that is with a tutoring center, athletics team, or the right major program for you.