Many parents consider spring break the perfect season to plan a few college visits. Not only does this work with your high school student's busy schedule, but it serves several important purposes. You'll be helping your child narrow down their college list, and your family has a great excuse for an adventure together.
As you work toward giving your child more independence, you still have an important role in the college tour process. As much as some students hate to admit it, choosing a college to attend is an important decision, and having you as a part of it means a lot to them.
Below are nine college tour tips for parents to help their students get the most from college visits without being overbearing.
Some great questions to ask on college tours include:
What institutional scholarships do you offer?
If students meet these scholarship requirements, can they use it for all four years?
What types of on-campus jobs are offered?
What types of work-study jobs does your campus offer?
Is the campus police department on duty 24/7?
Are there any free self-defense courses offered for students?
What's the crime rate of the campus/city?
What's the university's overall job placement data for graduates?
What's the job placement rate for the major/department your child is interested in?
Do you offer free career counseling services to students?
What type of extracurricular activities or clubs can students get involved in?
What are your traditional events? Such as Family Weekend, Homecoming, Greek Rush Week, Etc.
Are there any student-support resources? Such as tutoring, counseling, on-site medical clinics, etc.
Student Union
Campus Store and Bookstore
Library
Gym
Theatre
Art Galleries and Museums
Touring the city is often an overlooked highlight of a college tour; it's an excellent opportunity to see campus life alongside the town’s culture.
As you explore the town, ask yourself these questions:
Is the cost of living reasonable in this town?
What types of city transportation options are available?
Do you feel safe?
Does the city offer stores and restaurants you frequent?
Is there a hospital? Farmer's Market? Grocery Stores? Pharmacy?
College students are considered an important part of the local community. They boost business and fuel growth. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce to see which festivals or events happen each year.
9 Essential College Tour Tips for Parents
- Prepare Questions in Advance: Work with your student to create a list of questions regarding financial aid, campus security, and student life.
- Let the Student Lead: Allow your child to take the initiative during the tour and ask the questions to foster their independence.
- Prioritize Comfortable Attire: Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for long outdoor tours.
- Check the Weather Forecast: Be prepared for rain or cold, as most campus tours proceed regardless of the weather.
- Dine on Campus: Have lunch in a dining hall to get a realistic preview of the food options and campus culture.
- Take Detailed Notes: Use your phone to record observations about the environment and return on investment to discuss with your student later.
- Collect Contact Information: Get the email address of the student guide or admissions counselor for follow-up questions.
- Explore Beyond the Tour: Visit the student union, library, and the surrounding college town to assess the local community.
- Recap and Rank Immediately: Discuss the pros and cons while the experience is fresh and have your student rank the school on a scale of 1-10.
How to Prepare Your Student for a Successful College Tour
Encourage your students to prepare questions for the tour.
Before each campus visit, ask your child what they feel is important to ask on the upcoming tour. If they're unsure what they will ask, review some common college tour questions with them. Work together to come up with an agreeable list. These are questions they feel comfortable asking, not you. Bring these questions with you on each college tour. This is a great way to compare and evaluate each campus visit.Financial Aid Questions
Campus Security Questions
College Return on Investment Questions
Student Life Questions
Encouraging Student Independence During Campus Visits
There's a fine line for parents on campus tours. Parents are essentially there for moral support. Help them prepare for the visit, but remember, this is their campus tour. Don't smother them; the opportunity to be more involved will happen after the college tour as you review the experience together. Allow them to test their independence by asking the questions on the college tour. If your student freezes up and fails to ask any questions from their list, don't worry. They will have the chance to get answers to their questions later.What to Wear: The Best Attire for a Walking College Tour
Many college tours are student-led. Often called student ambassadors, these real college students are excited and knowledgeable about the university. Campus tour guides tend to navigate campus quickly; some even give group tours while walking backward! To keep up with the pace, you'll want to wear comfortable tennis shoes and clothing.Essential Prep: Checking Weather and Logistics Before You Go
College admissions offices keep tour group sizes low and offer limited tours during the college visit season. You should expect your tour to happen even if it is drizzling or chilly outside. While most college admissions offices provide umbrellas for tours on rainy days, be sure to bring yours if rain is forecast. Pack a light jacket, too, if you have an early-morning tour. An uncomfortable tour can negatively impact the experience, fueling a negative review.Evaluating Campus Life: Why You Should Eat at the Dining Hall
Most college tours include an immersive lunch experience in a dorm cafeteria for prospective students. Review the tour schedule beforehand to see if this is included. If you're not offered lunch, make it a plan to grab something to eat on campus. Your student will get a preview of their food options and may even get the chance to chat with current students.Tracking the Details: How to Effectively Take Notes on Tour
On the tour, evaluate the campus environment. Notice how excited and passionate professors are or aren't when talking to your student. Make mental notes or text yourself important observations you want to discuss—LATER—with your child. You can use your phone to take notes on essential facts, concerns, questions, or parts of the tour that you're interested in.Following Up: Connecting with Admissions and Student Guides
It's almost a given that you and/or your student will think of more questions to ask after the tour. Similarly, your student may have been so thrilled that they forgot to ask the tour guide any questions. Before the tour concludes, ask the student tour guide or an admissions counselor for their email address. As you review the tour together, ask your student how they feel about emailing the questions to the tour guide or someone on the admissions team. Encourage your student to include you in the email as well.Exploring the College Town and Local Amenities
If you have time, walk around campus to look at the places you find interesting. Check out some of the campus amenities, like the:The Post-Visit Checklist: How to Rank and Compare Colleges
Don't wait a few days to chat about the campus tour. Chatting and reflecting on the visit is best while the experience is fresh. Share notes and compare the pros and cons. Ask your student if they'd like to create one or if you should put together a college visit binder. Include the college viewbook in the folder and place the pro and con list specific to that college afterward. Using a scale, have your student rank the university after your discussion. Include the rank on the pros-and-cons list—you'll use it later. Practice the same evaluation process after each college visit. When it's time to make that college decision, your student will have all the notes they need to pick the right college. Looking for more ways to support your student? Check out our Full Guide to FAFSA and Financial Aid.You Might Also Like
Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...
