When you are planning college visits, it is most ideal to schedule a formal visit through the undergraduate admissions office. During the application process, many colleges will track the interest level of students. Documenting your formal admissions campus visit is one of the most important ways to demonstrate your interest.

Typically, the formal admissions visit lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours and typically includes a tour and information session. It is a valuable way to learn more about the colleges you are interested in. If you want to add to your visit experience, consider going off the beaten path and do some of the following…

Observe Students & Talk To People – Walk around campus and talk to students, faculty, and administrators that don’t work in the admissions office. Observe the students and see if they are engaged and socializing with others.

Eat On-Campus – Eat lunch or grab a coffee on-campus to get the vibe of the students, professors, and administrators.

Campus Newspaper – Grab the campus newspaper and look at the flyers hanging around to learn more about the issues that concern students.

Majors – If you have an academic major in mind, take time to stop by the department office and see if a faculty member, administrator, or student is available to talk with you and answer your questions.

Buildings Off The Tour – Check out the fitness center, library, and residence halls, if not seen on the tour.

Radio Station – Listen to the campus radio station, if available.

Off-Campus – Walk off-campus to see what there is to do and if students hang out off-campus.

Financial Aid – Stop by the financial aid office if you have financial aid and scholarship-related questions.

Athletes – If you want to play a sport competitively at the college level make sure to set up a meeting with a coach or stop by the coach’s office.

Learning Differences – If you have questions about academic support for students with learning differences, stop by the disability resource center.

Clubs/Organizations – If you are interested in a particular club or organization, reach out to the club leaders and set up a time to meet and ask questions.

Health and Wellness – If you want to learn more about mental health counseling and other health-related support on-campus, consider stopping by the Counseling Center and/or Health Center.

Career Center – If you are interested in knowing more about the types of internships students receive and what students are doing after graduation, stop by the career center to questions.