The Campus Visit Checklist

You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive, right? The same goes for choosing a college. Sure, you can get a lot of information online, but until you have set foot on the quad, eaten in the cafeteria or spoken with an actual professor, you won’t really know what the school is like. Visit as many schools as time and money will allow to find your perfect fit. Make sure to contact the school and set up a tour so you can make the most of your visit. Take a list of questions, a pen and paper in case you forget something or think of anything new.

• How friendly is the campus?
• How easy is it to get around/navigate the campus?
• How close are you to the nearest town/city?
• What’s the relationship between the college and the neighboring community?
• Is it easy to get groceries, dorm essentials, clothing, etc.?
• Is there a shuttle service between campus buildings? How late does it run?
• How many dorms are there? Are they clean and new or falling apart?
• Are the students happy with the college?
• How many students live on campus?
• Are freshmen required to live on campus? What are the exceptions?
• How easy is it to change majors or transfer?
• What kind of fields of study are available?
• How accessible are the professors? Is tutoring available?
• What are the classrooms like?
• What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
• Are there computer labs available to the students?
• What do students do for fun on campus? Off?
• How many students are involved in social activities?
• Is there Greek life? Does it have a good reputation among students?
• Is there a career center?
• Will the school prepare students for life after college? Are there internships available?
• What kind of career advisement is offered? Do students have access to these services after they graduate?
• Are there career fairs each year?
• How many graduates are employed?
• Is the cafeteria food good? Are there plenty of options?
• What is the student newspaper like?
• Do you feel safe, secure and welcome on the campus? How does it compare to other schools you have visited?

Once you have seen a few schools, decide which colleges stood out to you in a positive way. Make sure to compare costs, programs, student support services and job placement rates. Review any packets of information you received and don’t be afraid to reach out to schools if you think of questions after the visit. Eventually, you will find a school that fits all of your needs.