Planning the perfect university visit shouldn’t just be left to travel agents. With the right approach, anyone can craft a thoughtful itinerary. Read on to learn about the nuts and bolts of developing a university visit itinerary that will be worth both your time and your investment!

Initial research to plan your visit:

The first step in this process involves attentive, strategic research. Ideally, a student starts with a list of 25-30 schools that are appropriate both qualitatively (possess the top qualities a student seeks – i.e. a large study body, ample study abroad options, a top-notch art history major, etc.) and quantitatively (GPA and test scores).

Once the initial wide-net of a university list is cast, grouping the universities geographically and by admissibility is the next logical step. A university visit should include a healthy ratio of mainly “target” schools sprinkled with a few “reach” options. It can be devastating for a student to fall in love with a university that simply isn’t a match so spending the time upfront to be intentional with the university visit list does pay dividends!

Now that the list is set and schools are grouped by region you should decide which region and what time of year you’d like to explore, keeping your visit to no more than 10-12 schools over a week span. Visiting Tulane and Loyola New Orleans in the middle of Mardi Gras sounds fun but won’t give you an authentic snapshot of everyday life. Being in Chestnut Hill in the dead of winter versus at a football game rooting for the Boston University Eagles are two vastly different experiences on the same campus. When you visit, keep an open mind that school communities ebb and flow.

Logistically, careful navigation between schools should be top of mind. It’s best to pick the most convenient major city and then build your driving itinerary from there. Schools often share their recommendations for hotels and lodging on the campus visit page, or a friendly call to the admissions office can go a long way.

Before your campus visit:

Once you’ve zeroed in on a region and time of year it’s time to get planning!

As silly as it might sound, we recommend you book your university tours before you book your flights. Securing tours early (about 2-3 months in advance of your trip) is recommended.

Be sure to use the student’s full legal name and email address when registering for the tour. This helps students get into the database. If the university offers an info session and campus tour, sign up for both. Admission presentations can help a potential applicant gather essential information about the application process and the school.

Once your tour is secured, check if you can attend a class or two to get a feel for academic life. The admissions office should be able to coordinate this for you.

During your campus visit:

The time has finally come to pack your bags and begin your tours!

Once on campus be sure to explore campus facilities. Take a self-guided tour to explore libraries, dorms, recreational facilities, and other amenities. You’ll also want to talk to as many students as possible. Connect with current students to gain insights into their experiences and visit common areas to observe student interactions.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for campus life, visit the surrounding area if time permits. Explore the town or city surrounding the university and consider the local community as well, as its likely impact on your university experience.

Last but certainly not least, document your visit. Take notes and pictures, record your impressions, and evaluate each university based on your priorities.

Remember, the goal of a university visit is to help you make an informed decision about where you want to spend the next few years of your academic journey. So the next step? Start your research so you can plan out your perfect itinerary and get those tours officially booked!