Every college visit is a crucial part of the college search process and gets you one step closer to figuring out your college list. After all, the best way to learn about a college and its campus is to experience it firsthand. Spring semester is a great time to start planning college visits, since you can use your spring break to explore different campuses.
What you may not realize, however, is a significant amount of planning is needed before you hit the road. It’s important to do your college research and come equipped with questions to ask admissions officers and tour guides. Plus, having an idea of what you want to see while you’re there will help you make efficient use of your time.
In the midst of registering for information sessions and tours, planning your route, and booking hotels, don’t overlook what to pack! Whether you’re taking a day trip to visit a college nearby or embarking on a weeklong tour, here’s what you need to bring —and what you should leave behind.
What to Bring on Your College Visits
While you always want to bring your curiosity on campus visits, you will need to pack some other things to ensure you get the most of your experience. Check out our recommendations.
A Recording Device
Information sessions provide ample opportunity to gather important facts and details about a college, but it can be difficult to take quick, legible notes while still being alert and in the moment. The recording function on your smartphone is a great alternative to sloppy scribbling. The setup also makes it easy to access the information later — say, when working on an application form or personal statement.
Of course, if an admissions officer requests that audience members do not record or photograph a portion of the session, you’ll have to abide by the rules! Play it safe by asking if you can record.
A Camera
During your tour, snap pictures of interesting places you discover on campus. The camera on your smartphone is great but make sure you have enough space for lots of photos. These photos will come in handy down the road after you’ve completed multiple college visits and need help remembering certain places or details from other tours.
Pro tip: For quick access, organize your photos into a folder labeled with the name of the college.
A Notebook and Pen
While recorders are helpful, there’s nothing wrong with having a notebook and pen on hand to jot down of important pieces of information during an info session or tour. Making a physical note of dates and deadlines is always useful — a planner can come in handy here as well. You can also write down any questions that occur to you, as well as names of intriguing speakers or programs.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Shoes
Comfort is key when touring a campus — especially when it comes to footwear. Wear shoes that will allow you to do a lot of walking and keep pace with the tour group. Check the weather before arriving on campus and bring anything that may come in handy during your visit, such as an umbrella, sunscreen, or warm gloves.
Your Appetite
Come hungry and grab a bite in the dining hall before or after your tour — you may even get a special card or coupon from the admissions office that you can apply toward your meal. If you have extra time, it could also be fun to sample a restaurant in the surrounding area or try out the university snack bar to get a taste of the offerings both on campus and nearby.
A Student’s Contact Info
Maybe a family friend or former high school classmate is enrolled at the college you’re touring but tracking them down the day of your visit will likely prove difficult. If there’s a student you’d like to meet up with, get in touch a week or so before your visit to compare schedules. The day of, have their cell phone number handy — you may have more trouble than you anticipated finding them in a specific dorm or dining hall. Grabbing a meal or attending a campus event with a current student is always a great way to get a sense of a school’s culture and hear from someone other than a tour guide.
An ID Card or Passport
If you’re wandering around on your own, you may need a form of identification to access certain buildings, such as the library. Keep this safe but handy in case it’s required.
What to Leave at Home
Just as there are things you’ll want to bring to campus, there are things you should leave behind.
Clothing from Another College
Odds are your usual rotation includes a shirt or two bearing the name of a university. Similarly, you may have combined college visits into one big trip and picked up some gear from one place or another along the way.
Before you head out the door for a tour, double check your outfit! Some colleges track visits as part of demonstrated interest, so don’t show up to your Brown visit wearing a Princeton shirt.
Headphones
Once you arrive, put away the headphones and appreciate your surroundings — you came all the way to campus to get the full visitor experience, after all. You’ll also come off as more approachable while you’re exploring on your own.
A Negative Attitude
Maybe a school just doesn’t seem as great as you had anticipated, or you don’t find yourself relating to your tour guide. Just remember that this is one college visit and there are opportunities for many more. Even if you traveled a long distance to visit a college that turns out to be blah, don’t feel bad — better to realize you aren’t a fan of the place now then after you’ve sent in your tuition deposit!
Help for Your College List
Campus visits can go a long way toward helping you understand what you want in a college — not just academically but also in terms of campus size, location, and resources. That said, identifying 13-15 best-fit schools for your college list is no easy task.
Here at IvyWise, our counselors focus on helping students find colleges that are the best academic, social, and financial fits — campus communities where you will thrive and be successful. Wherever you are in your college search, we’re here to help.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2023 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.
