Touring schools you are interested in is one of the most important parts of the college application journey! In-person official tours are obviously best, but visiting all the schools on your list may not be practically or financially feasible. Thankfully, most schools offer robust virtual tours through their websites that take you to places you may not even be able to see in-person. Additionally, the Campus Tours website is a great resource in addition to the school’s official virtual tour, and the website CampusReel is filled with student-created videos showcasing all aspects of student life and campus culture.
If you are just getting started with your college search and are not ready to commit large amounts of time or resources to touring, start with the Goldilocks approach. Visit a local small, medium, and large campus to determine what size school you prefer. For students in my Central Texas area to easily experience a small school, visit Concordia, Southwestern, or UMHB. For a medium-size school, visit Baylor, and for a large school feel, visit Texas State, UT, or A&M. Another idea is when you travel, take a couple hours to visit a school along the way. I consider these schools low-hanging fruit because they are easy to visit and great for determining/confirming the size of school that fits you best. After determining your preferred size, you’ll be able to efficiently tour schools farther away.
Visiting a campus is also a reflection of your demonstrated interest – the interest you show the schools you are applying to. Some schools such as Baylor, TCU, and A&M, consider demonstrated interest as part of the application process. Most schools want to admit students who have shown a genuine desire to attend the school because they have a greater chance of “yielding” these students. Producing high yield rates is very important to colleges because it is a primary factor in the rankings.
Ultimately, touring colleges, whether in person or virtually, gives you the clarity and confidence needed to make informed decisions about your future. A campus visit allows you to move beyond brochures and rankings and truly evaluate where you feel comfortable and excited to learn. By taking a strategic approach and using both in-person and virtual resources, you can maximize your time and budget while still gaining meaningful insight into each school. Just as importantly, touring demonstrates genuine interest, signaling to colleges that you are serious about becoming part of their community. Investing time in touring campuses is about choosing the place where you will thrive academically, socially, and personally.