College tours: How educators can help students prepare for these important visits

While the admissions process involves many steps, the most fun of all are college tours.

When I was an undergraduate student, I worked in my university’s admissions office. One of my core responsibilities, apart from stuffing mailers to be sent to prospective students, was to give campus tours and attend all open houses.

Every week I drove prospective students and their parents around campus in an over-sized van. I pointed out academic buildings, walked them through the student center, and took them to several residence halls to see dorm rooms. I shared information on academic programs, sporting events, and student life. Some families came prepared with a lot of questions, while others only passively participated.

It always surprised me how many families didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities available when they visited a campus. They could have met with an admissions counselor, professors in their proposed major, and with peers from student organizations they’re interested in, yet many chose only to go on the tour and explore campus on their own.

This seemed like a missed opportunity, as campus visits should provide a holistic understanding of what it’s like to be a student at a particular university.

With proper planning, students can leave a college tour with a better understanding of admissions requirements, program details, and most importantly, if they really connect with the university and can see themselves there. For students who aren’t able to visit all of their prospective universities, virtual tours exist and can provide a glimpse into student life.

Educators can help students make the most of campus visits and ensure they’re making informed decisions.

Before the tour: Do the homework

There are thousands of universities and colleges in the United States alone, so beginning to search for a school can seem like a daunting process. Encourage students to create a list of schools that includes options with more accessible admissions requirements and a few dream schools. The College Board considers this an important step in the process, “This is how you’ll begin to visualize life on a college campus, student culture, and expanding your horizons through classes and opportunities.”

Students should pay attention to:

• The size of the school. Is it a large state school or a small private institution?
• The location of the school. Is it in a rural area or in a bustling city? How far away is the school from home?
• The academic programs offered by the school. Does the school have the student’s intended major?
• The school’s admission requirements. Does the student meet these requirements?
• The cost of tuition and housing. Can the student afford the school? What financial aid packages are available? Are there scholarships?

Educators can help students with tools like Xello Scholarships to make informed, realistic financial decisions. With access to thousands of scholarship opportunities, students can search scholarship matches and find ones that fit their needs, apply directly, and track deadlines.

While the size and location of a college are important, they are not definitive search criteria if the student is willing to be flexible for the right school. However, admission requirements, cost, and academic programs are. Educators can guide students in making informed decisions early on, helping them avoid disappointment if a dream school turns out to be out of the cards.

Ease the process for students by making connections

Once students have identified a list of schools they’re interested in, they may want to start building relationships from the get-go. This is another area where educators can offer valuable support by helping students understand the importance of networking, how to foster meaningful connections, and how to write a professional email.

Programs like Xello Communities can help in this stage of the process as it allows students to explore hundreds of colleges aligned with their interests and talents—before even touching down on campus. This helps them narrow down the options that fit their goals. After eliminating schools that do not offer their major, they can look at other factors like campus life, faculty, dorm life, dining halls, and sports teams for instance. It’s a great way for students to get the information they need to inform their college decisions.

Tour day is here: What students need

Once students have identified the colleges they want to visit, they should create a list of the things they want to learn from the experience. This is an opportunity to ask those on campus difficult questions and learn firsthand what sets a college apart from others.

Here are some potential questions for a student-led tour:

• What are you most excited about this year?
• What would you change about your college experience?
• What is it like to be a student on this campus?
• How would you describe the student experience at this school?

In addition to asking the right questions, encourage your students to take advantage of all opportunities to meet with faculty, student groups, and counselors. This will give them a more complete picture of what it’s like to be a student at this university—as well as start to nurture those face-to-face interactions.

After the tour: Reflection

Campus visits provide students with a wealth of information, making it essential for them to reflect on their experience before they visit another school. Written reflections can help students make informed decisions when they are picking which school is the best fit for them.

But this is just the starting point. As students narrow down their top choices, they’ll want to keep the conversation going with the schools they’re most interested in. Xello Communities can support students at this stage by helping them maintain and deepen those connections.

Something else educators and students can look forward to is Xello Events, which will allow students to take control over their event scheduling. This will streamline coordination with college reps and make it easier to stay engaged with schools throughout the decision-making process. Stay tuned for more information!

Educators play an important role in preparing students for their college visits and ensuring they maintain communication. With programs like Xello Communities and Scholarships, educators can ease this work and spark curiosity, so that students stay organized in their exploration and make a well-informed choice about their future.