Choosing a college is a life altering decision which many students wrestle with. Whether looking for places to apply or having already been admitted into the school, 89% of 200 surveyed Madison students agree that a college tour impacts their decision to apply or attend. 

The usual college tour goes something like this: after checking in and receiving a nametag and pamphlet, attendees are guided to an auditorium or lecture hall. There, school representatives go over school life, landmarks, admission information and financial statistics. When the tour begins, attendees may be split by interest or by seating location under the watch of a student tour guide. 

To get a feel for the campus, tour guides lead their groups by dorms, dining halls, libraries, classrooms and any feature  that makes the campus unique. 

“Davidson College, my top school as of right now, also had a breathtaking campus, and I loved how they mentioned the surrounding area/town and how the college interacted with it, the cake race, for example,” Virginia Torregrossa (’28) said. 

While many are initially attracted to recognizable landmarks on campus, deciding factors also lie in classroom size and the learning environment in terms of spaces to study and interact with peers, a preference unique to each student.  

However, it can be difficult to know what to pay attention to in order to maximize the effectiveness of a tour. Research the school’s programs, campus life and any clubs or extracurriculars before arriving. Check if there are any open house events, class sit-ins or opportunities to stay in a dorm. Throughout the tour, it is important to be engaged in the conversation, take initiative for opportunities to be active in campus life and ask any questions that arise. As you walk around, look for any construction. This can be a good indicator of the school’s priorities, as it displays where they allocate their funds. Find a bench in a popular area of campus, and observe the student body during a class change. There, you can obtain a better understanding of the students and professors. 

“I like to record a voice memo right after I’ve finished the tour of the campus, that way I remember what I liked and disliked specifically about the schools,” Torregrossa said.

Others bring a pen and notepad to take notes during information sessions or at any point throughout the tour. 

College tours are an essential contribution in the college decision making process. By providing a firsthand experience of campus life, students are given the opportunity to envision themselves studying and even living there. Students can better understand academic offerings and the culture of each school, helping gather information to make an informed choice to align with their academic goals.