Being on campus, even for a few hours, can tell you a lot about the college and how well you might fit at that institution.
It’s also helps to narrow down your college list and officially "demonstrate interest."
We encourage families to begin touring colleges as early as the summer before 10th grade. That way, you don't feel the stress of having to pick something quickly, can enjoy the time together as a family, and visit more colleges over your high school career. There are other ways to get to know colleges to, like:
Ideaventions Academy’s College Visits
Over the years during our Upper School Field Trip, we include visits to nearby colleges. Past trips have included: Carnegie Mellon, Olin College of Engineering, Wellesley, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, University of Richmond, and William & Mary. With such a diverse list of schools, you’ve seen public and private; small, large, city, and more rural possibilities; and learned more about what you like, and equally important, what you don’t like about each of them. For the 2025-2026 academic year, we will visit Virginia Tech and University of Virginia. In addition, Ms. Liz has taken students on summer day trips to American, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, George Washington, and George Mason Honors College.
Colleges Visit Ideaventions
Bookmark this page to stay in the know about which colleges are visiting us soon, either in person or online. We also list local college fairs that might be of interest to our students. Also keep an eye on the bulletin board in the Student Workroom.
Local College Fairs
Several colleges sponsor college fairs at large high schools or exhibition halls where prospective students can shop for information. Get on the college’s mailing lists to learn when they’ll be in the area (and share the information with Ms. Liz). One example is the Northern Virginia Regional Science Fair held at GMU each spring.
Virtual Tours
Sometimes it is not possible to visit every campus on your list. Many colleges and universities have videos, virtual tours, or material that provide an overview of programs and facilities. This will help you get a feel for what you might see. It might even help you cross off a list before you spend the money. Individual college websites and YouTube are great ways to travel from your living room sofa.
You have an excellent chance of attending here, and you’ll learn about what likes and dislikes before visiting the colleges that are harder to get into. By visiting these first, you allow yourself to be genuinely excited about a college that you could likely attend, rather than finding how they fall short compared to your dream schools that might be highly unlikely. It's like driving the Toyota before the Maserati. Toyotas are great!!
Make appointments: Sometimes special requests to meet with coaches, department heads, or attend specific classes can be honored if enough advance planning takes place. See below.
Visit the admissions office website to look at different opportunities for prospective students
Summer: Campuses may not seem lively over the summer because the student body is not there. Try not to let this sway your opinion.
Try not to visit more than two per day. One is preferable. They will all blur together.
Tour dates close to holidays and special Student-for-a-Day programs fill rapidly
Official tour. If there is something you want to see that wasn’t on the official tour, ask your guide if you can see it.
Departmental tours.
Visit classes to observe class size and professor-student interaction.
Meet with an admissions representative or attend a group information session.
Get the business cards of anyone who takes the time to meet with you (admissions rep, academic department contact)
Send a handwritten thank you note. Seriously, aside from great grades, test scores, and meaningful extra-curricular activities, a thank you note makes you STAND OUT. Pack thank you notes and stamps, write them it the same night of your visit, and stick it in the mail (give it to the hotel front desk) before you leave town.
Participate in an interview. Dress professionally (not in a suit, but nice), be yourself, be prepared to sell yourself as a successful candidate for admission and have school-specific questions for your interviewer. Here are some great tips for interviewing.
If possible, visit dorms or even stay overnight. Many colleges arrange for prospective students to stay on campus with a student host. You can eat in the dining hall, visit classes, and spend the night in a residence hall.
Meet with a financial aid officer if you plan to apply for aid. This is your opportunity to ask about grants, scholarships, and student loans and pick up any forms or applications you may need to apply for aid.
Read the school newspaper
Eat in the school dining facility
Talk to students
Explore the Surrounding Area (things to do, places to eat, etc.)
Pay attention to bulletin boards/flyers about extracurricular activities & school organizations
How easy is it to get the classes you request during registration? As Freshmen?
What is the average class size for introductory courses?
How many hours a week did you study as a freshman?
Are professors available during office hours? Outside of office hours?
What do you do for fun around here?
Does the campus feel safe?
Why did you choose this college?
What do you like best about this college? least?
What courses have you enjoyed the most and why?
What are the big issues on campus right now?
Is there a required reading list for introductory courses?
Should freshmen do any other summer preparation?
What are this school’s top three programs? Don’t ask. It’s easy to google, and you should demonstrate you’ve done your research.
Is the college seeking to cut or grow any specific programs or departments?
What is the surrounding community like?
What about campus security?
Is there a career center on campus?
What percentage of classes are taught by full professors and what percentage are taught by associates?
What makes a strong candidate for your school?
Collect business cards.
Remember to send the handwritten thank you card to people you met. You’ll stand out. This is why collecting business cards is so important.
Analyze your experience. Make a list of pros and cons immediately after your visit to remember what you saw and learned, and how you felt on campus. After touring many campuses, your memories of them will begin to blur. Take separate detailed notes for each campus visit immediately after visiting. A dedicated notebook, document on your calendar, or the College Match book will be very helpful when it comes to writing the "Why this College?" essay.
Discuss your campus visit with your family and Ms. Liz. She'll be so excited to hear what you liked and didn't like. Both are equally important.