Why Campus Visits Matter and What Questions to Ask

You constantly hear from everyone (your guidance counselor, admissions advisors, and, hey! even the USF admissions blog) that college campus visits are important. But when you’ve got so many options to choose from — tours, open houses, Admitted Students Day, orientation — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How can you tell which event is best for you, and how can you make the most of your visit? You’re in luck: We’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

Let’s talk about why campus visits matter and how to make the most of them — including the questions you should ask.

Campus Visits Are Inspirational 

High school is a marathon — and sometimes it feels pretty grueling, especially when you can’t yet see the finish line. Glimpsing your post-race reward (life at college) can be inspirational. After all, it’s easier to stay motivated when you can actually picture yourself at college. To develop that mental picture, we recommend dropping by your local campus and getting a taste of what’s waiting for you, even as early as freshman year.

“We absolutely welcome first-year high school students if they’re interested in coming on campus,” says Freddie O’Brion, the Campus Tour Manager at USF Tampa.

Bring your friends along for an official tour, sign up for an open house, or explore at your own pace. Whatever you choose, the point is to have fun! Act like you’re in college:

• Grab a slice of pizza at the food court.
• Visit that state-of-the-art marine science building and envision yourself learning how to save the manatees.
• Check out the on-campus art museum and picture your work on display.
• Walk past the recreation center to get a peek at its resort-style swimming pool and busy basketball courts.
• Observe the freedom of college life — students coming to and from residence halls, meeting up with new friends, and hustling to events like comedy nights, movies on the lawn, and Homecoming.

All that kinda makes you want to study for the SAT, doesn’t it?

Make the Most of Your Visit

While you’re on campus, it doesn’t hurt to ask for some pro tips on college prep. “At USF, our admissions office is open for walk-in appointments every weekday,” O’Brion says. “Our admissions advisors are some of the most knowledgeable experts … about what kinds of things you need in order to get into a university.”

Don’t stress about this meeting — it’s not an admissions interview, but simply a chance for you to get the inside scoop. An advisor can tell you how to approach standardized tests, what course credits actually matter, and strategies to make your high school years count. You won’t just leave inspired: you’ll have a game plan, too.

What Questions Should You Ask on a Freshman College Visit?

Ask yourself these questions:

• What excites me about college?
• What do I picture myself studying here? (There’s no rush to figure out your college major — that’s why schools offer exploratory programs! But throughout high school, check in with yourself about what academic fields, classes, and careers interest you.)
• What extracurriculars and campus clubs look cool to me? Can I get involved in — or even start — something similar at my high school?

Ask the admissions advisor these questions:

• What should I be doing in my high school years to prepare for college?
• What’s the best way to approach standardized tests?
• What is a “high school resume” and how should I start one?

Campus Visits Help You Narrow Your College Application List 

Sophomore year is the perfect time to check out nearby colleges and universities. Next, between the spring of your junior year and fall of your senior year, you’ll want to intentionally visit your target schools, including campuses out-of-state. So, what are your options for college visits?

• A virtual tour. Visiting a ton of different schools can get pricey — especially if they’re spread across the country. “For folks who maybe aren’t sure if they can or want to spend the money to fly in from out of state, I would recommend exploring our pretty robust virtual offerings,” says O’Brion. USF’s virtual tours include 360° panoramic photos that practically transport you to one of our three sunny campuses. Plus, the virtual tours include audio from guides who are current students, so you’ll still discover the campus’ best-kept secrets.
• A self-guided tour. Are you an introvert who’d rather explore the campus on your own? Download a self-guided tour app — an underutilized resource, according to O’Brion: “It gives you all of the information that you would get on a guided tour, but you can do it at your pace.”
• An official campus tour. In the traditional campus tour, you’ll join a group led by a college student guide. The perks? You can ask the tour guide to share their own experiences, giving you valuable insight as you navigate the campus.
• An open house. If you’re serious about the school, an open house might be your best bet, because it includes more activities than the standard tour. At a USF open house, you can explore campus, chat with faculty and current students, hear from financial aid officers, and learn about academics and campus life. “If you’re in your last semester of junior year or you’re a senior, you’re probably going to want to go to an open house so you can get a more in-depth overview of USF,” says Paige Maciaszek, Admissions Special Events Coordinator at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
• Other admissions events. Contact your local campus to find out what special events they offer. For example, USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts a “college prep night” where high school juniors and seniors can learn general tips about the college search and application process.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to visit campus. At this stage of the process, the whole point is helping you decide where to apply.

“Frankly, we’re not going to make any admissions decisions based on what events you did or didn’t attend,” O’Brion says. “If you’re looking at all of your options, I really recommend picking what feels best, exciting, and interesting to you, and what works well with your schedule.”

Make the Most of Your Visit

Before visiting in person, research the school so you’ll know what questions to ask and what majors or clubs interest you. Then set up meetings with admissions and financial aid officers, and, if possible, professors in your field(s) of interest. Snag any chance you get to sit in on a class and don’t forget to soak up the campus and surrounding area. Could you see yourself thriving here for four years?

Here’s another tip for out-of-state students: If you’re worried about a big change in climate, you might want to visit during the “worst weather” season. “For Florida, that’s obviously going to be summer and then early fall when it’s usually the hottest,” says Maciaszek. “But to be honest, our campus is beautiful year-round.” (Just make sure you bring sunscreen and plenty of water.)

What Questions Should You Ask on a College Visit?

The school’s website should answer most of your basic questions, such as:

• What is the freshman retention rate?
• How many majors are offered?
• What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
• What extracurricular activities/clubs can students get involved in?
• What on-campus housing is available?
• What are meal plans like?
• What is the diversity of the student population?
• How many classes are taught by professors rather than teaching assistants?
• What special programs and academic opportunities (such as Honors Colleges and undergraduate research) are available?
• What internships and career support are available?
• What resources and support systems are offered (health clinics, counseling centers, gyms, libraries, tutoring centers, etc.)?
• What financial aid and scholarships are available?
• What are the school’s rankings and recognitions?
• What are the school’s four-year and six-year graduation rates?

You can also find out a lot of information about a school’s reputation on third-party websites, like the Princeton Review’s list of the 209 “Best Value Colleges” or the College Scorecard, which is like a Consumer Reports for higher education.

If you can answer these general questions before your visit, then you can ask your student tour guide more specific questions.

• What’s the food like?
• Why did you choose this school?
• What do students do for fun on the weekends?
• What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about the school?
• What are the professors like?
• Where would you recommend students look for work on campus?
• What advice would you give to students considering this school?

“Those student tour guides are the experts,” says Maciaszek. “They might be able to tell you, ‘Here’s how to set yourself up for academic success,’ because they've lived that experience.”

Admitted Students Day Helps You Celebrate Your Acceptance — and Make a Decision

Once you’ve been accepted to a school, Admitted Students Day can help you make your final decision. In fact, if your budget only allows you to visit an out-of-state school one time, you may want to save your trip for this event.

Here’s what you should know:

• Admitted Students Day events are an important way to get in-depth information about whether the school is right for you. Along with a tour of campus, you should get the chance to meet current and prospective students, connect with faculty, learn about academics and extracurriculars, and get practical information on housing, dining, support services, and financial aid.
• Typically, the event lasts a day or half-day and is held in the spring. At USF, Admitted Students Day events take place from January through April.
• You’re welcome to attend whether you’ve already accepted the school’s offer of admission or you’re still deciding.
• Your family can attend with you.
• If you can’t visit in person, many schools offer virtual Admitted Student Days, including USF.

Make the Most of Your Visit

If you’re choosing between schools, take notes at each Admitted Students Day, then make a comparison chart. Weigh important criteria like financial aid, location, majors, extracurriculars, study abroad opportunities, and general vibes.

Remember to have fun at this event! It’s time to celebrate all you’ve accomplished. This school is trying to wow you! That ought to feel good. (Plus, you might even meet your future roommate at one of the activities).

What Questions Should You Ask at Admitted Students Day?

Read through your admissions packet thoroughly so you know the right questions to ask. At this point, you’re seriously considering this school, so you’ll want to get specific.

• What financial aid and scholarship opportunities can the school offer me?
• How can this college help me achieve my academic goals?
• What are graduates in my field doing now?
• What are the regional internship and job opportunities for my field?
• What student success resources does the school offer? (Think about resources that may be especially important to you, such as free mental health counseling or disability accommodations in residence halls.)
• What would my transition to the school look like? 

Orientation Is Essential for College Success

Once you accept a school’s offer of admission, you’ll need to attend an orientation session. Most schools require this event: at USF, for example, you won’t be able to sign up for classes until you attend Orientation.

Here’s what you should know about college orientation:

• At orientation, you’ll meet faculty and staff, connect with other incoming students, learn about academic requirements, get familiar with school resources, and conduct business, like picking up your university ID card. You can also meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.
• Orientation sessions can last anywhere from a day to a week, depending on your school. At USF, the sessions are limited to one day.
• Some schools may offer virtual orientations if you can’t attend in person.
• Register online to choose the date that you want to attend. Unlike other events covered in this article, orientation may cost a fee, so contact the orientation team at your school if this causes you financial difficulty.
• Your parent or guardian can attend family sessions.

Make The Most of Your Visit

Be sure to submit any required documents (like immunization records or documentation of dual enrollment credits) before orientation. Your school will tell you what they need.

If possible, bring your unofficial transcript to orientation so your advisor can see what classes you’ve taken in high school and help you choose the right courses for college. This is especially helpful if you’re starting in the summer and your final transcript isn’t available yet.

What Questions Should You Ask at College Orientation?

At this point, you’re ideally committed to attending this school. Now your questions are no longer about whether it would be a good fit for you, but about how you can successfully make the transition. For example:

• What’s covered in the meal plan?
• What housing options are available to me?
• How do I access health and wellness resources on campus?
• Who can I talk to if I feel overwhelmed during the semester?
• What campus security features/emergency alerts should I know about?
• How do I drop or add a class?
• How do I declare a major?
• How do I access career counseling and how can career counselors help me during my freshman year?
• Can you tell me more about my financial aid and tuition payment options?
• How can I get involved in campus life?
• What first-year experiences are available to freshman students?

Reach Out to Admissions Officers

We know visiting colleges can be a big deal. That’s why we’ve created so many blog posts on the topic. Consult these resources for more in-depth tips:

• How to Prepare for a Campus Tour
• How Campus Visits and Tours Can Affect Your College Decision
• What’s the Best Type of Campus Tour?
• Questions to Ask on a Campus Tour
• College Campus Visits in Summer
• College Campus Visits in Winter
• Tips For Traveling to Out-Of-State Colleges of Interest
• Top Tips for Planning College Road Trips
• Take a Campus Tour from Home

Considering USF? We’d love to welcome you on campus! Reach out to the Office of Admissions or schedule your tour online today!