Deciding where to go to college is one of the biggest decisions a teenager can make.

There are many different factors to consider when deciding which college is best for each person.

College tours give students the opportunity to see if they could see themselves at a specific school for four years.

College tours consist of walking around campus, going into student centers to see what their main building looks like, going into their academic buildings, and, in some cases, checking out dorms. Some colleges also give you the opportunity to meet with your admissions counselor.

Several students spent their spring break touring various colleges.

Madeline Gransden, junior, said, “Choosing a college isn’t just about choosing your academics, like, what you want from them academically, it’s about choosing how you feel on campus. I feel like the vibe of the campus is very important when choosing a college.”

College is more than just getting your degree, it’s also about the experience you have.

Gransden said, “While I’m touring, I just learn kind of what I’m looking for in a college. I already know what I want academically, so I kind of just learn what size of college I want, and what I want to see. Do I want to see more brick buildings? Do I want to see a big quad?”

You can learn so much about a college from touring it and what you may be looking for.

Some students prioritize on campus feel and academics, while other students think the surrounding area is just as important, so they can have fun off campus as well.

MA Crotty, junior, said, “I think touring is beneficial because you get to see not only what’s on campus and what they provide you on campus, but also, what is off campus and what’s around because if that’s where you’re gonna be living for 4 years, then that’s where your life would be.”

There is a reason colleges are all different; they vary in size, where they are located, and what they have to offer and that is so every student can find what is right for them.

For some students, a big sports school with school spirit is important because they find community through sports and cheering on gameday and when touring you can talk to students about what their sports and gameday is like.. 

College tours give students the opportunity to find what they’re looking for. You might think you want a big school, but when on the campus, you may find that may not be what you’re actually looking for.

Going on college tours is also important for the admissions process because it gets your name out there for the school to see that you are genuinely interested in the school.

Studies show that 62% of students they surveyed said that touring the college they enrolled in was super important. They conducted many surveys about specific areas on campus as well, click on studies to find out more.

While it may be time consuming to go visit the campus and inconvenient, it is worth your time to ensure that you like the campus.

Touring schools can also save you time in the application process because you have a better idea of what you truly want and the colleges that best fit you.

Many college websites even have virtual tour options if traveling is too much for you and you don’t want to actually go on campus. 

Overall, although college tours can be a pain for many, they are worth it to get to understand what you are looking for in a place and express your interest in the university.