Tips for Visiting Colleges

Take advantage of visiting college campuses, for free! Check out as many campuses as you can in order to help make your decision about where to apply and where to attend. Many campuses offer free tours for groups and families.

 

Freshmen & Sophomores 

• It is never too early to start visiting colleges! Visit a local college campus and take a tour during your breaks or on family vacations. Visit older siblings and friends who attend college to see what it’s like. Online tours are always an option!

 

Juniors

• The best time to visit campuses is during the February Break or Spring Break of your junior year. Call ahead and schedule a tour on a WEEKDAY when school is in session, so you can see what the campus is like with students and staff. This way you can better picture yourself at the school and determine if it is a good fit for you. Also, you may be able to visit classrooms, lecture halls, and dorms. Open House and Preview Days are usually offered on weekends and have a variety of activities and tours available. See our calendar for dates.

 

Seniors

• The best time to visit is during the summer, before the application period (October-November), or Open House & Preview Days. Call ahead and schedule a tour on a WEEKDAY when school is in session, so you can see what the campus is like with students and staff. This way you can better picture yourself at the school and determine if it is a good fit for you. Also, you may be able to visit classrooms, lecture halls, and dorms. Open House and Preview Days are usually offered on weekends and have a variety of activities and tours available. See our calendar for dates.

 

Can’t visit in person?

Take an online or virtual tour. Go to the website for each school. See below for some quick links to colleges in California.

California State Schools (CSU):

www.csumentor.edu or www.calstate.edu

University of California Schools (UC):

www.universityofcalifornia.edu or  www.ucop.edu

California Private & Independent Schools:

www.aiccu.edu

California Community & 4-year Schools:

www.californiacolleges.edu

 

What to Bring:

• Prepare some questions in advance so you get the answers and information you need, paper and pen to write notes, camera for pictures, and money for lunch or merchandise from the student book store.

 

What to Wear:

• Check the local weather in each town/city where the school is located. Dress appropriately and consider school dress code policy. Layering with jackets and wearing comfortable walking shoes is always a good idea!