How and Why to Research Colleges Before You Visit Them

There are many small details that go into planning your college visits. While you're visiting each campus, you should pay attention to certain factors. However, you should visit each college campus with at least some knowledge about that school. Similarly to researching a company before an interview, you should conduct research on the colleges you plan on visiting so you have an idea of what to expect.

1. Take a Virtual Tour

Besides the basic information—like the size of the campus and the tuition costs—many college websites offer virtual campus tours or a gallery with pictures of their campus. 

2. Get an Idea of Everyday Life

Familiarize yourself with the college's website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. Look for information on their clubs and organizations, cultural events, Greek life, and more to get a feel for what it is like before actually going there in person. That way you can see if it lives up to your expectations when you are visiting.

3. Review the majors and the courses associated with those majors

Read the short descriptions of each major and review the required courses for each major. That way, when you're on your college visits you can ask detailed questions and know which college offers the majors you're interested in.

4. Look into the support offered by the school

Look into the college's website to learn about the services it provides to help students. If you plan on applying for financial aid (which you should!) see what options the school has. Go visit the office in person, so that when the time comes the people will have already met you.

5. Look into the on-campus and off-campus housing options

Find out what housing options are available for both freshmen and upperclassmen. If you see a dorm you're interested in you can try to get inside during your visit if possible.

6. Learn about the library

You will likely be spending a lot of late nights in the library so check it out and see if it seems like the kind of place where you could get a lot of work done.

7. Explore the meal-plans

Most colleges offer various meal-plans to their students. Check out what the options are and review the menus, and when you're visiting the colleges try to eat at the places available on the meal-plan.

Where to start?

We have a lot of information on the Florida colleges we tour right here on our website. So check out our colleges page, and if you can't find the information you're looking for give us a call to see if we can help!