Exploring a College From Afar

It is expensive to travel to every college campus for a tour, especially if you are interested in schools out of state. But don't worry! There are so many great ways to tour a college virtually. We have five easy ways you can gain information about prospective colleges from the comfort of your home to help you make a decision about where to attend.

Try virtual tours

If you’re interested in learning more about the layout of your campus, virtual tours are a solid option. Most universities now offer them. Virtual tours are videos, slideshows, and sometimes even interactive 3d experiences walking you through the entire campus. 

• Check out NACAC's exhaustive list of nearly every virtual college tour happening in the US!
• YouVisit also offers 360 degree virtual tours of many campuses
• CampusReel.org has short student-made clips of their campuses
• CampusTours has interactive campus maps
• You can also visit your college's YouTube page or admissions page for additional resources.

Admissions offices at campuses are offering “office hours” to meet and ask questions virtually.

Curious about programs, or want to get connected to alumni or current undergrads at a college you’re thinking about attending? At many colleges, the admissions office schedules virtual “office hours” to answer prospective students questions during this crisis. Check you college’s admissions page and see if you can take advantage.

Join a Facebook group of recently admitted or current students at the colleges you’re considering

Most colleges have active Facebook groups for prospective classes. Search “[The college you’re interested in] class of 2024” and you’ll find them! Students are candid, informative, and supportive in these groups. As an added bonus, they’re usually moderated by an alumni or current upper-classmen!

Some colleges are offering the chance to virtually sit-in on a class

See if the colleges you are considering will let you take a backseat and observe classes being conducted online. This is an awesome opportunity to what courses are like in your field(s) of interest.

Watch vlogs made by college students

Go to YouTube and do a search for the college you are interested in, "[college name] + vlog". Many students are documenting their college experiences online and showing what a typical day is for them. Some answer questions in the comments section or have created an FAQ video to address popular questions they get.

Don’t forget that financial aid packages are a huge part of the decision. As you’re considering colleges and gathering information, check out this guide on how to compare and understand financial aid packages. Need someone to talk to about your college decision? Text “Hello” to 33-55-77 to get 1:1 help from our college coaches!