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Find your Fit on a Campus Tour
Find your Fit on a Campus Tour
A college website or brochure can show you statistics, but stepping onto campus is the only way to feel the energy of a school. A campus tour helps you answer the ultimate question: "Can I picture myself living and learning here for the next four years?"
If you're in the beginning of your search, tour a few very different colleges to get a feel for what type of space feels best. We're lucky to be in a city with so many colleges! Stroll around Loyola, North Park, Lake Forest, and UIC. These are all very different schools. What do you like/dislike about them? That can help refine your search, even if you can't visit a school in person.
If you're in the final months of senior year trying to make a decision, campus tours are crucial in making that final call. Many colleges will offer to fly you out to an admitted student day if you have financial need. Sometimes you can stay on campus with a current student.
See how you could get a free flight and lodging to visit a campus on our Fly In page
How to Sign Up
How to Sign Up
Find the Admissions Page: Go to the college's official website and click "Admissions" or "Visit." You can also google "college name campus visit"
Choose Your Tour Type: Select an in-person daily tour, an open house event, or a virtual visit option.
Pick a Date: Select an open date on their visit calendar. (Book 3–4 weeks early for peak times like Spring Break and Fall weekends!)
Fill Out the Visitor Form: Enter your contact info, graduation year, intended major, and number of guests.
Check Your Confirmation Email: Review your inbox for parking passes, check-in addresses, and arrival instructions.
Types of Campus Visits
Types of Campus Visits
Offical Admissions Tour & Info Session
The standard 1.5- to 2-hour visit led by a student tour guide. It typically starts with an overview from an admissions officer followed by a walking tour of campus.
Open House Days
Large-scale weekend events hosted in the fall or spring featuring academic fairs, department presentations, financial aid panels, and full campus showcases.
Departmental / Academic Tours
Specialized visits focused strictly on a specific school or major (e.g., engineering lab tours, art studio walk-throughs, or nursing simulation centers).
Self-Guided / Virtual Tours
An ideal option if you are visiting outside official admissions hours or want to explore a school far from home before committing to a trip. Most colleges offer interactive map tours on their websites.
What to Pay Attention To
What to Pay Attention To
Student Energy & Culture: Are students walking around smiling, talking, and hanging out, or does everyone look stressed and isolated?
Campus Facilities: Check the age and quality of dorms, dining halls, study spaces, and libraries. Are they clean and modern? Is it accessible if you have mobility issues? Are there gender neutral restrooms?
Surrounding Location: Is the campus enclosed ("bubble" feel) or integrated into a city/town? Are there shops, restaurants, or transit nearby?
Bulletin Boards & Flyers: Look at physical or digital event boards to see what clubs, concerts, guest lectures, and student events are actually happening.
Questions to Ask
Questions to Ask
Student tour guides are a great source of real life perspective. BUT, don't let an overly friendly/bubbly tour guide OR a gloomy/boring guide make or break how you feel about a school.
Student tour guides are a great source of real life perspective. BUT, don't let an overly friendly/bubbly tour guide OR a gloomy/boring guide make or break how you feel about a school.
About Academic Life
About Academic Life
"How easy or difficult is it to get the classes you need to graduate on time?"
"What has been your favorite class so far, and why?"
"How accessible are professors during office hours?"
About Campus Life & Culture
About Campus Life & Culture
"What do students typically do on the weekends—do people stay on campus or go home?"
"What surprised you most about this school when you first arrived as a freshman?"
"If you could change one thing about this college, what would it be?"
Tips for During the Visit
Tips for During the Visit
Wear comfy walking shoes and avoid wearing another college's merch.
Arrive 15 Minutes Early: Give yourself time to park, find the visitor center, and grab a bottle of water.
Explore Off the Beaten Path: If possible, spend 20 minutes after the official tour walking through the student union, eating lunch in a dining hall, or sitting in the central quad.
Tips for After the Visit
Tips for After the Visit
Fill Out a "Gut Check" Notes Page: In the car or on the ride home, write down your immediate reactions while they are fresh in your mind:
What did I love?
What bothered me?
Score: 1–10 Overall Impression.
Write Down Names for Essays: If you are applying to schools that ask "Why do you want to attend our college?", referencing specific details, building names, or anecdotes from your tour guide makes a compelling application essay!
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