Taking a college tour can be overwhelming... here are some tips to focus on while you're looking at what could be your future!
1. Can you stay here a while?
Often times, internships and jobs come out of your college education and connections. If this is the case for you, can you stay in this city or area for a while after school? If not, maybe it's not the place for you.
2. Distance from home
Are you someone that likes to be at home? Someone who feels it's important to be home for all holidays? Someone who's trying to get as far away from home as possible? What ever the case is, know where you stand before you visit the campus. Check out where the local airport is and how you would get there if you didn't have your own car. If you're planning to drive back and forth from the campus, where is the parking and what is the drive like on a holiday weekend?
3. On campus activities
Are you interested in Greek life, intramural sports, or clubs? If so, where are those activities held, and who's involved? What are the options for on campus jobs? What do current students do on campus for fun? Is there a gym or a recreation center? Are there other food options besides the cafeteria on campus? Can you use your meal plan for those as well? What time do on campus buildings (gym, cafeteria, fields etc.) open and close during the day? Knowing how to eat, work-out, and participate on campus is critical to your success.
4. Surrounding area
Is it a city? Is it in the country? If it's the country, how close is the major city? Is there options for housing if you don't want to live on campus after your first year? Is that area safe? Do you need a car to get around? How close is a grocery store, or a Target, or even a hair salon or nail salon if these are things you're used to? Scope out the surrounding area to see if this is a community you could be rooted in.
5. Who's who and who's around?
What do the other students look like and act like? Do people say hello to each other? Are there notable professors and alumni that could help you with your future goals? Who's leading your tour? Who welcomed you to campus that day? These are all important things to evaluate as you're choosing which university is the best fit for you and your future plans.