Top Tips for Effective College Visit Planning

Why Thoughtful College Visits Matter

The college search can feel overwhelming for both parents and teens. A simple focus on fit and thoughtful campus visits can make the process much more manageable

Janice Caine at the National College Planning Summit

College visit planning expert Janice Caine, founder of Custom College Visits, joined more than 20 specialists at the first National College Planning Summit.

About the Summit

This virtual event brought together respected experts in college search, admissions, athletics, and finance to share practical advice with families.

The National College Planning Summit featured a series of one-hour interviews on how to prepare for college, get accepted, pay for school, and succeed once on campus. During her session, Janice focused on “Ten Tips for Effective College Visits” and offered concrete strategies for students and parents.

Key voices at the summit

More than 2,500 participants listened to or live‑streamed interviews with leading experts. Speakers included:

• First item
• Second item
• Third item
• Rob Franek, Senior VP of Publishing at The Princeton Review
• Christine VanDeVelde, co‑author of College Admissions: From Application to Acceptance
• Phillip Mikula of ACT; Ron Them of the National Institute of Certified College Planners
• Angela Crawford of the NAIA
• Jonathan Chiu, National Content Director for high school programs at The Princeton Review.

Janice’s contribution centered on how thoughtful campus visits can help students build a realistic college list and make better decisions about where to apply and enroll.

Why visit campuses in person?

Janice explained that virtual tours are useful introductions, especially when families cannot visit every campus in person. However, she emphasized that on‑campus visits are still the most powerful way for students to understand a college’s culture. Being there in person allows them to see how students and faculty interact, sit in on information sessions, and experience the overall energy of the community.

Many students describe getting a “gut feeling” during a visit—either that a campus feels right or that it is not a good fit. That emotional response, combined with concrete observations, is something they cannot fully get from a video or brochure.

How many colleges should you see in a day?

When possible, Janice recommends visiting one college per day. This slower pace gives students enough time to take a tour, attend an information session, explore campus on their own, and reflect on what they have seen. It also makes it easier to remember what made each school unique.

In some cases, it does make sense to visit two campuses in one day, especially if they are very close to each other, such as neighboring universities in the same city. Even then, Janice advises families to avoid scheduling more than two visits in a single day so that campuses do not blend together.

Visits with financial aid and career services

Janice encourages families to schedule appointments with the financial aid office or career services when possible. To make the most of these meetings, students and parents should prepare in advance. They can review each college’s website, note any questions that are not answered online, and decide what they hope to achieve during the appointment.

For financial aid, this might include asking how the process works at that school, how scholarships are awarded, or how work‑study is handled. For career services, families can ask about internship support, employer partnerships, and outcomes for recent graduates.

Homework before a campus visit

Before arriving on campus, students should review the college’s website, printed materials, and social media pages. They can look at the admissions or campus‑life Facebook page to get a sense of student activities, events, and announcements. As they research, they should write down questions that are not answered in the materials.

Bringing these questions to the visit helps students make better use of information sessions, tours, and informal conversations with current students. It also shows interest and preparation when they speak with admissions staff or faculty.

Meeting faculty and learning about programs

In many cases, it is possible to meet with a faculty member in a specific department. At some colleges, the admissions office will help arrange these meetings. At others, staff may provide contact information so families can reach out to departments directly. Policies vary by school, so it is important to check each college’s visit page and follow the suggested process.

When preparing for a faculty meeting, students should learn the basics of the program in advance and bring targeted questions. They can ask how the major is structured, what internship or research opportunities exist, how easy it is to change majors, and whether students in that field can study abroad. These conversations help students compare programs across colleges and decide which options fit their goals.

What to bring on a campus visit

Janice recommends that students and parents bring a few simple items to every visit. Comfortable walking shoes and a small umbrella are essential, since tours often run rain or shine. Students should also bring a notepad or digital device to record impressions, plus a phone or camera for photos of important places on campus.

To make note‑taking easier, Janice created a College Visit Student Journal that students can fill out after each visit. Whether they use a structured journal or their own system, capturing details soon after the visit helps them remember what stood out—especially if they start visiting colleges as early as 10th grade.

Sample questions to ask on campus

During her summit session, Janice shared examples of thoughtful questions students might ask on campus. These questions help them look beyond marketing and dig into how a college really works:

• What percentage of students live on campus, and for how many years is housing guaranteed?
• How difficult is it to change majors after enrolling?
• What opportunities exist for undergraduate research or internships in my field of interest?
• Can first‑year students have cars on campus, and how easy is parking?
• What student support services are available, both academically and personally?
• What is a typical weekday like for students here?
• What programs or activities help first‑year students get settled and feel connected?

Students and parents can add their own questions based on individual priorities, such as study‑abroad options, campus safety, or specific extracurricular interests.

If you would like personalized help planning focused, stress‑free college visits, reach out to Custom College Visits to design an itinerary that fits your teen and your schedule

About the National College Planning Summit

The National College Planning Summit is co‑sponsored by David Riklan, the founder of SelfGrowth.com, and Bob and Betty Frohlking, founders of Clear Light College Success. SelfGrowth.com is one of the largest self‑improvement and personal‑growth portals on the Internet. Clear Light College Success helps students and families navigate college admissions and college funding.