Why College Visits Matter
College visits play a big role in the search process. When your teen is choosing a college, they are really choosing a “home away from home” for the next several years. This should be a place where they feel comfortable and supported, and where their basic needs are met.
Comfort is about more than housing and food. A good-fit college is also a place where your teen feels confident enough to explore, grow, and discover new things about themselves and the community around them. The campus they choose should provide an environment, facilities, and resources that support both short-term and long-term academic goals.
Life Beyond the Classroom
College is not only about classes. Students should also think about how they will engage with the campus community beyond academics. They might want to do community service, play on a sports team, join a club, or get involved in student government.
Research has shown that students who are active and involved in their college communities often build stronger networks and find more opportunities after graduation. These connections can make a difference when applying to graduate school or entering the workforce.
Why In-Person Visits Are Different
Printed materials, websites, virtual tours, and visits from admissions counselors all provide helpful information. Yet in-person college visits give students a much more accurate feel for the campus environment and the students who go there. A campus visit is a chance to evaluate the college first hand: the academics, the living arrangements, the physical setting, and more.
Sometimes a student is sure, based on brochures, rankings, or a friend’s opinion, that a college is the right place. Then, after visiting, they realize it is not a good fit at all. The opposite can happen too: a campus they were unsure about on paper can feel surprisingly right once they walk around and meet people.
Understanding “Fit”: Size, Setting, and Feel
When it comes to finding the right fit, there are many factors to consider. For example, your teen may say they want a “big” school. But what does “big” really mean? It could refer to the number of students, the number of academic programs, or the physical size of the campus.
It is hard to understand campus size from a brochure or website alone. A visit helps your teen decide whether they prefer a campus they can cross on foot or by bike in 15 minutes, or one where they may need a shuttle bus to get from the dorms to some classes. In addition, they should think about location. Do they want a campus in the middle of a city, a suburban setting, or a smaller town?
Some universities, such as Columbia University or American University, have more defined campuses within a city. Others, like George Washington University or New York University, are closely integrated into the surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Even if students begin the process unsure of what they want, visits help them clarify their preferences and narrow their list.
How Visits Help With Application Essays
College visits can also be very helpful when it is time to write application essays. Many colleges ask some version of “Why do you want to attend our institution?” or “How will you contribute to our community?” Once a student has spent time on campus, it is often easier to answer these questions in a specific and genuine way.
During a visit, a student might sit in on a class, talk with a professor or current student, or notice a particular program or tradition that stands out. Later, those experiences can inspire more personal, detailed, and memorable essays.
Demonstrated Interest and Admissions
Another reason to visit is that some, though not all, colleges track and value “demonstrated interest.” In fact, certain colleges even ask on their applications whether a student has visited campus. While a visit does not guarantee admission, it can signal that the student is serious about enrolling if admitted.
This demonstrated interest can sometimes help set a student apart from applicants who have never engaged with the campus. It shows effort, curiosity, and a willingness to invest time in the decision.
Considering Weather and Lifestyle
There are also practical factors that can influence where your teen decides to enroll. Weather is one of them. If your family currently lives in a temperate climate and your teen is looking at colleges in a colder region, it is wise to visit during the winter if possible.
Experiencing the campus in its typical weather helps students imagine daily life there. They can see what it feels like to walk to class in the cold, navigate snow or rain, and spend time in the dorms and common areas during those months.
A Major Life Decision
Whether your teen hopes to attend college close to home or halfway around the world, it is important to visit campuses before making a final choice. Campus visits are a crucial part of the college search because they allow students to test how a school feels, not just how it looks on paper.
As Brian Rosenberg, former president of Macalester College, has said in a New York Times piece, very few people would buy a house or a car without seeing it in person. Choosing a college is a financial decision of similar or greater weight, and a life decision of even greater consequence.