How to Schedule a Campus Tour: Step-by-Step for Every School

Key Takeaways

Most tours are booked online through the admissions website
Book 2-4 weeks ahead for popular times (spring)
Combine tours with info sessions for the full experience
Tours full? Walk-ins, virtual tours, and self-guided options exist

Scheduling a campus tour should be simple—and for most schools, it is. But with each college having its own system, it helps to know what to expect.

Here's a step-by-step process that works for any school.

Step-by-Step: How to Book a Campus Tour

Find the admissions visit page

Go to the college's website and look for:

"Visit" or "Visit Campus" in the main navigation
"Admissions" → "Visit Us"
"Plan Your Visit"

Most schools make this prominent. If you can't find it, Google "[College Name] campus visit" and the official page usually appears first.

Review your options

Colleges typically offer several visit types:

Type	Duration	What It Includes
Campus Tour	60-90 min	Student-led walking tour of campus
Information Session	45-60 min	Presentation by admissions staff
Combined Visit	2-3 hours	Info session + tour (most common)
Overnight Stay	24 hours	Shadow a current student, sleep in dorms
Class Visit	Varies	Sit in on an actual lecture

For most students, the combined info session + tour is the best starting point.

Pick a date and time

Check the calendar for available slots. Keep in mind:

Weekdays give you the most authentic experience
Mornings tend to be less rushed than afternoon tours
Tuesday-Thursday are ideal days
Avoid finals weeks, breaks, and move-in/out weekends

Pro Tip

If visiting multiple schools, give yourself at least 3-4 hours per campus. Tours run long, you'll want to explore after, and you don't want to feel rushed.

Register online

Click "Register" or "Sign Up" for your preferred time. You'll typically provide:

Your name and contact info
High school and graduation year
Intended major (if known)
How many guests are attending

You'll get a confirmation email with parking instructions and check-in details.

Add special requests (optional)

Many schools let you request extras during registration:

Meeting with a professor in your intended major
Sitting in on a specific class
Meeting with financial aid staff
Tour of specific facilities (art studios, labs, athletic facilities)

These need to be requested ahead of time—usually at least a week in advance.

Confirm and prepare

A few days before your visit:

Check your email for any updates or changes
Note parking locations (some require permits or have visitor lots)
Check the weather and dress appropriately (you'll be walking)
Prepare questions to ask during the tour

What If Tours Are Fully Booked?

Don't panic. You have options:

Option 1: Walk-In Tours

Many schools accept walk-ins, especially during slower seasons. Call the admissions office and ask if they can accommodate you.

Note

Walk-ins work best on weekdays outside of peak season. Spring Saturday mornings? Probably not. October Wednesday? Good chance.

Option 2: Self-Guided Tour

Some schools offer self-guided walking tour maps. You can explore at your own pace, though you'll miss the student perspective.

Ask at the admissions office when you arrive—they may have printed maps or an audio tour app.

Option 3: Virtual Tour

Most colleges now offer high-quality virtual tours. While not a replacement for in-person visits, they're useful for initial screening or when you can't travel.

Look for:

360-degree virtual tours
Student-led video tours
Live virtual info sessions

Option 4: Visit Anyway (Without a Tour)

You can visit campus without an official tour:

Walk around and observe
Eat in a dining hall (many are open to visitors)
Sit in common areas and watch student life
Talk to students on campus

This "unofficial" visit gives you a sense of vibe even without the structured tour.

How Far in Advance to Book

Time of Year	Book Ahead
Spring (March-May)	3-4 weeks
Summer	1-2 weeks
Fall	2-3 weeks
Winter	1-2 weeks
Admitted Student Days	ASAP (fill fast)

Scheduling Multiple Tours

If you're visiting several schools in one trip, here's how to plan:

Checklist

Map out school locations and driving times between them
Schedule no more than 2 schools per day
Leave buffer time for traffic, getting lost, and exploring
Book morning tours if doing two in one day
Confirm all visits a few days before your trip

Pro Tip

Use our trip planning tool to map out efficient routes between schools. You can schedule tours in an order that minimizes backtracking.

Special Visit Types

Beyond the standard tour, consider these options:

Overnight Visits

Some schools let prospective students sleep in the dorms and shadow a current student. These are usually:

Available to juniors and seniors only
Offered on select weeknights
Limited availability (book early)

Best for: Top-choice schools where you want the deep dive experience.

Admitted Student Days

After you're accepted (typically April), schools host special days for admitted students. These include:

Panels with current students
Major-specific events
Financial aid Q&A
Social activities

Best for: Making your final decision between top choices.

Group Visits

Some high schools organize group college trips. These are efficient but limit your flexibility.

Best for: Initial exposure to colleges you're curious about.

Red Flags When Booking

Watch out for these issues:

No tour availability for months: May indicate understaffing or low enrollment
Pushy sales-y language: Legitimate colleges don't pressure you to commit
Fees for visiting: Official tours are free; be wary of paid "consultation" services
No student-led tours: Shows lack of investment in the visit experience

What to Do After Booking

Put it on your calendar

Add the date, time, and address. Include the confirmation number.

Research the school

Spend 30 minutes learning about programs, campus life, and recent news. It'll make the visit more meaningful.

Prepare questions

Write down 5-10 things you want to learn that aren't on the website.

Tell your school

If visiting on a school day, notify your high school and get any required permissions.

You're all set. Now go learn about the place that might become your home for four years.

Planning multiple campus visits?

Our free trip planner helps you coordinate tours across schools.

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