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• DO have a plan

  • Make a list of what you like/dislike

  • This will help you remember certain aspects when you get home and need to make a decision

  • Make arrangements to look around on and off campus

• DO arrange the visit yourself

  • Browse the college website for tour dates/times and also information sessions

  • See if registration is required beforehand

• DO avoid college breaks 

  • Check the academic calendar to see any breaks or events that are happening that day/weekend

  • Spring Break will have very few students on campus and classes are not in session

  • Think about games or concerts going on during that time that may impact travel and overall normal campus routine

  • Friday’s are typically slow around college campuses and nights during the weekends are usually very busy

• DO get/schedule interviews where possible

  • Interviews are a great way of showing interest

  • Prepare two to three topics that you are comfortable talking about for ten to fifteen minutes

• DO sit in on a class, see a professor

  • Pick a class/topic you are interest in and visit that particular course

  • See if that department has a professor that is willing to talk to you about that major

  • Some professors have office hours that allow times to talk in person

• DO ask about overnights

  • If you feel comfortable staying overnight, ask to see if there is a student who signed up to host a visiting student

  • This would allow you to see dorms, get one-on-one interaction with students and to get familiar with dining halls, campus, etc.

• DO clarify what you want

  • It is not essential to pick the exact school you want, but you need to think about the type of school you want

  • It is okay to have a few different types, but narrowing down your options would make your decisions much simpler

• DON’T be late

  • If you are not familiar with the area, leave some time for traffic, parking and being unfamiliar with the area

• DON’T be intimidated

  • You and your family are going to be paying a lot of money for an education, even though you are trying to make a good impression, so is the college

• DON’T have automatic reactions

  • If you do not immediately like your tour guide or host, try to look at the big picture

  • If you do not like a particular professor or class, go to a different class or reach out to another professor

• DON’T treat your parents poorly

  • It may be a stressful day but be kind to your parents on the visit

  • You never know who is listening or watching you

    • You could be standing next to dean of student or a future classmate