FAQ Categories: College Search & Tours

Many colleges offer opportunities to meet with professors, sit in on classes, or talk to current students. Check with the admissions office to schedule these experiences.

Ask about academics, extracurricular opportunities, campus life, support services, housing options, and any other aspects important to you. Don’t hesitate to ask your tour guide about their personal experiences as well.

Note to self: Link to blog post about the topic.

While some colleges offer walk-in tours, it’s recommended to schedule in advance, especially for tours during peak times like spring and fall.

You can schedule campus tours at any point during your time in high school. Most teens, schedule tours during your junior or senior year but the earlier you start, the more time and flexibility you have to look at different campuses and gauge university atmospheres.

Best times to visit can be during the school year and July/August. Avoid visiting during university holidays and finals. 

While not mandatory, visiting campuses can provide valuable insights into campus life, facilities, and culture. With that said, if you do not have the time, resources, or interest in checking out a university’s campus, then check the university’s social media pages and attend virtual tours & info sessions. 

Aim for a balanced list of 8-12 colleges, including a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Make sure you have at least 4 Safety schools on your list (acceptance rate >50%).

Reach schools are more selective, match universities are likely to admit you, and safety schools are where your credentials exceed requirements.

Think of it this way, the acceptance for: 

Reach = <20%
Target = 20-50%
Safety = > 50%

The Reach, Safety, Target is common approach used to help students create their college lists, just be aware of
how many of the universities you apply to fall in each. Ideally, aim for at least 4 Safety schools. 

College Board’s Big Future Search is free and has 1,000+ universities that students can filter through. If your high school offers Naviance or a similar software program, I’d recommend using that to get data – acceptances, rejections, waitlists per university – specific to your high school.

Begin by listing your preferences such as location, size, majors, and campus culture. Use online tools to research colleges that match your criteria. 

Think about the type of college experience you want to have, and if you have zero idea, then tour some of the local universities, attend information sessions at your high school or community, and attend virtual info sessions hosted by universities. These resources are all free and can help you get an idea of what you may o