The college tour is the best way to know if the college and its community are a good fit for you. When you get an opportunity to see what a campus is like, take advantage of it. Don’t show up and just follow the group. You can be ready to make the most out of your visit to campus with these tips and questions, which come from current SUNY student tour guides.
9 Questions to Ask on a College Tour
- Is the campus safe? (most common question from parents)
- What’s the food like?
- Are the dorms co-ed?
- Will I have my own bathroom?
- What do students do on the weekends?
- Why did you come to school here?
- What’s the average class size?
- Can I request a roommate?
- Does the tour have accessibility accommodations?
More Tips for Visiting a College
- Arrive early and show up during the day
When planning your campus visit, plan to visit during the week, and preferably, during the day. Make sure you show up early so you can find parking, walk around, and you don’t miss any information. Visiting campus on a weekday allows you to see what campus life looks like. Students are walking around, social spots like the student union, dining hall, and athletic facilities will be full, and you can get a sense of how busy and lively campus can be.
- Ask plenty of questions and stay in touch
The tour guide is there to answer all your questions, so don’t be afraid to ask. Be sure to get the tour guide’s contact information so you can stay connected. They are a great resource for you as you make your college decision.
- Have lunch on campus
Plan to make part of your visit around lunchtime so you can try the food on campus and see what options are available to you as a student.
- Explore the campus community on your own
A visit to a college should be thorough. Attend both the campus info session and the campus tour. Explore both the campus community and surrounding community because these may be your new home for the next few years or more that can provide unique resources for special opportunities. You can get a sense of the safety on campus through the local University Police who are an active part of a safe campus. Finally, if you are an athlete, make sure to visit the facilities where the team practices and plays. Spaces like the training facilities, gyms, medical facilities, and study spots can be different between schools.
- Take lots of pictures
Take plenty of pictures when you are on campus so you can remember what you liked about each campus.
- Explore the local area
After your official campus tour is over, be sure to explore the local area for dining options, recreational activities, shopping options, and more, because it might be your new home for a few years.
The college visit or tour should be what you want and need it to be. First, remember to dress comfortably – quality clothing and shoes will help you stay in the moment through a long day. Don’t just follow a guard around blindly, but ask questions and find out what you want to know. Through your walk, make sure to take plenty of pictures to remind you of what stands out and what you like about the campus. Finally, once you get to the end of your visit, make a stop to the campus bookstore to grab gear to remember your visit or to celebrate your decision.
If you require physical, visual, or technological accommodations, be sure to reach out to the admissions office to make arrangements in advance.
Now that you know how to make the most of your tour, it’s time to visit a SUNY campus. Schedule your visit today!
