College Tour Checklist
College visits can tell you a lot that websites and brochures can’t.
Use this checklist to help you prepare before your visit, know what to look for while you’re on campus and compare schools afterward.
Download the Printable College Tour Checklist
Before Your Visit
☐ Schedule an official campus tour, if available.
☐ Visit on a regular school day when classes are in session.
☐ Check transportation options between campus and home, including travel time and cost.
☐ Research the area’s weather throughout the school year.
☐ Review student demographics and the majors offered.
☐ Look at the college’s official social media accounts and student organizations to get a feel for campus life.
Academics
☐ Ask about typical class sizes, especially for courses in your intended major.
☐ Find out who usually teaches introductory courses — professors, teaching assistants or graduate students.
☐ Visit the academic department or building for a major you’re considering, if possible.
☐ Ask what academic support is available, such as tutoring, writing centers, advising and study groups.
☐ Find out how easy it is to meet with professors outside of class.
☐ Ask whether students can change majors easily if their interests change.
Housing
☐ Tour a residence hall, if possible.
☐ Ask what types of housing are available, including traditional dorms, suites, apartments, co-ed or single-gender options.
☐ Find out whether first-year students are required to live on campus.
☐ Ask when the residence halls were built or last renovated.
☐ Find out how housing assignments are made and whether students usually get their preferred choice.
☐ Ask whether on-campus housing is guaranteed after the first year.
☐ If students commonly live off campus, research typical rent, transportation and college-supported housing resources.
☐ Ask about laundry, storage, guest policies and other day-to-day residence hall rules that could affect student life.
Food & Everyday Life
☐ Visit a dining hall or food court and, if possible, eat a meal there.
☐ Find out how the meal plan works, what it costs and whether different plan options are available.
☐ Look at the variety of food available across campus, including dining halls, cafés, grab-and-go locations and convenience options.
☐ Ask about accommodations for dietary needs, allergies or food preferences.
☐ Check how late food locations stay open, especially on evenings and weekends.
☐ Look around the surrounding neighborhood for restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and other everyday necessities.
☐ Ask students where they actually like to eat — both on and off campus.
Campus Life
☐ Find out what clubs, student organizations and activities are available.
☐ Look for organizations connected to your interests, intended major, culture, faith, athletics or career goals.
☐ Ask about campus traditions and major student events.
☐ Notice where students spend time between classes. Does the campus feel active and welcoming?
☐ Check the school’s official social media accounts and student-run pages to get a broader feel for campus life.
Questions to ask current students
☐ What do you like most about the school?
☐ What surprised you after you enrolled?
☐ What do students typically do for fun on and off campus?
☐ What do you like about the surrounding community?
☐ If you could change one thing about this school, what would it be?
Getting Around & Transportation
☐ Walk between a few academic buildings, residence halls and common areas to get a realistic sense of campus distances.
☐ Find out whether students typically walk, bike, drive or use campus shuttles.
☐ Ask whether students generally need a car.
☐ If you may bring a car, check parking availability, permits and cost.
☐ Look at transportation options to and from home, including driving time, airfare, train or bus connections.
☐ Ask how students usually get to airports, train stations or other major transit hubs.
☐ Think about how easy or difficult it would be to get home for holidays, emergencies or a weekend visit.
Campus Feel & Fit
☐ Can you picture yourself walking to class and spending your everyday life here?
☐ Does the campus feel too large, too small or about right?
☐ Do students seem comfortable, engaged and connected to the campus?
☐ Do you feel comfortable in the surrounding community?
☐ Does the school seem to offer the balance of academics, activities and social life you want?
☐ Can you imagine yourself living here for four years?
☐ What was your strongest positive reaction to the campus?
☐ Was there anything that made you hesitate or feel unsure?
After Your Visit
Write down your impressions before visiting another school.
What did you like most?
What concerned you?
What surprised you?
What questions do you still have?
How did this school compare with others you’ve visited?
Overall impression:
☐ Definitely interested
☐ Still considering
☐ Probably not for me
Keep your notes from each visit so you can compare schools based on what matters most to you.