The Campus Visit: What to Know Before You Go

A website can give you facts. A glossy brochure can show you sunny courtyards and happy students tossing frisbees. But stepping onto campus is the only way to truly feel the vibe — to see if this place could be your place. A great visit goes beyond the official tour. Ask smart questions you can’t easily find on-line, notice the small things, and pay attention to how you feel in the space. Try to walk away with a better understanding of…

Academics

• What are the strongest programs or most popular majors? (Not always the same!)

• How easy is it to change majors or take classes outside your field?

• How easy is it to get into popular classes?

• Are faculty accessible? Can undergrads do research with them?

• What’s the study abroad and internship culture?

• What academic support is available for students?

• How much flexibility do students have in choosing courses outside their major?

• Scout’s Advice: If you’re undecided, ask how the school supports students who haven’t chosen a major yet — this says a lot about their flexibility.

Campus Life

• What do students do for fun on weekends?

• Are there clubs, intramural sports, Greek life, or campus traditions?

• Is the campus politically active?

• Do students seem friendly and engaged?

• How diverse is the student body — geographically, culturally, politically?

• Does the campus feel safe? How visible is campus security?

Facilities & Surroundings

• What’s housing like? Is it guaranteed for all four years?

• How’s the dining? Any must-try campus food spots?

• Are athletic, arts, and recreational spaces updated and easy to access?

• Is there public transportation or an easy walk to town?

• Are academic buildings and labs modern and well-equipped?

Admissions & Scholarships (Beyond the Brochure)

• What’s the admissions philosophy? Do they focus on grades and scores, or a more holistic review?

• How do they view applicants from your high school — what patterns have they seen?

• Are there “hidden” scholarship opportunities for certain majors, hometowns, or activities?

• How transparent are they about financial aid appeals?

• Do admissions officers ever re-read applications after a campus visit or interview?

• How important is demonstrated interest, and what counts?

• How much weight do they place on the essay — and what makes one stand out to them?

Scout’s Best Advice:

• Visit a variety of big, small, urban, suburban, public, and private schools.

• Remember: campus footprint and enrollment size are not the same.

• Take photos and write down impressions first thing — schools blur together fast.

• Talk to random students, chat with a professor, stroll through the local neighborhood, grab a campus paper, check bulletin boards, and people-watch in the student center to get the real pulse.

• Picture yourself there on a cold Tuesday in February, not just on a sunny fall afternoon.

Your goal is to leave each campus knowing what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you want to investigate further. Over time, patterns will emerge — your “must-haves” and “deal-breakers” will become clearer.