College visits help students clarify what factors matter most to them and if specific schools are a good fit. Before falling in love with one specific college, I recommend students start with a set of “category visits” so they can get a general idea of what colleges are like. These early, low-pressure visits help you understand how size, setting, and focus would affect your experience as a student.
What are “Category Visits”?
A category visit isn’t about finding the perfect college; it’s about figuring out what type of college feels right for you.
Aim for a mix of:
- Large, medium, and small colleges
- Public and private schools
- Liberal arts colleges and research institutions.
Think of these as samplers. You’re collecting information on what feels supportive or overwhelming, what environments help you you feel at home, and which don’t.
Students should seek to identify the fit factors they’re attracted to. What factors are “must have” or “no way” dealbreakers? What are “nice to have” features that might help them choose between several good fit colleges? What factors don’t aren’t that important to them?
You can do these category visits as early as freshman or sophomore year. Combine them with other travel. Headed to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving or doing a Spring Break trip to the beach? Take an extra day and add a college visit.
Even juniors often benefit from doing broad broad category visits to narrow down the parameters that would make a college a good match.
How to Visit a College
Start by scheduling a tour and information session through the college’s Admissions site. If a tour isn’t available, check for self-guided options like downloadable maps or audio guides. Stop by Admissions while you’re on campus – staff can usually offer maps, viewbooks, and lunch recommendations. Even after work hours, look for QR codes or info packets outside the Admissions Office.
Tips for College Visits:
- Register in advance, especially around high school breaks.
- If you do a self-guided tour, register online if possible, because the college may track demonstrated interest.
- Talk to students and staff – in the quad, the coffee shop, or the bookstore. (See the starter questions below)
- Take notes and photos to remember details later.
- Eat on campus – it’s a chance for unscripted encounters or just watching how students interact.
Example “Category Visit” Clusters
These are examples of colleges clustered around a metro area that would give students a broad exposure to different college categories.
Washington, DC Area
- American University – medium, private, urban, research university
- Gettysburg College – small, private, small town, liberal arts college
- University of Mary Washington – medium, public, small city, liberal arts college
- University of Maryland – very large, public, urban, research university
- US Naval Academy – medium, public, city, liberal arts college, military service academy
Philadelphia Area
- Bryn Mawr College – small, private, suburb, liberal arts college, historically women’s college
- Drexel University – large, private, urban, research university
- Rowan University – large, public, suburb, research university
- Ursinus College – small, private, suburb, liberal arts college
- Villanova University – medium, private, suburb, research university, Catholic
Cincinnati Area
- Denison University – small, private, small town, liberal arts college
- Miami University – large, public, small town, research university
- University of Cincinnati – very large, public, urban, research university
- University of Dayton – medium, private, city, research university, Catholic
- Wright State University – medium, public, city, research university
Pro Tip
Use College Navigator to search for colleges within a given distance from any zip code. Click “More Search Options” to filter by size, setting, or admissions rate.
Questions to Ask on College Visits:
To Students:
- What is something you really appreciate about the college that you think is underappreciated?
- How have you connected with faculty or mentors?
- What do you wish you knew about college back when you were in high school?
- Do you have a favorite campus tradition or memory of your time here? (Sometimes I ask if they have a “pinch me moment.”)
- Have you had any internships or coops and how did you find them?
- Where did you make your first friends on campus?
To Admissions Reps:
- What is something you wish high school students better understood about your college?
- Does major considered in admissions?
- Are any programs direct admissions or limited enrollment? How does that work?
- Does state residency affect admissions or financial aid?
Closing Thought
Early college visits are a chance to explore possibilities, not to decide if a super selective colleges your dream school. Category visits help you understand what “fit” means for you – which might be different from what right looks like for your friends or even your siblings.
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