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College fairs, checklists, and website research all help you prepare for college and assist in making an informed decision. While these are all great ways to get to know a university, visiting a school is an entirely different experience.

By visiting, you get a better understanding of the layout, you can ask students questions, and you can see if their facilities are right for studies that interest you. Visiting every school that you’re interested in is a great idea, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. Whether you’re visiting one or ten colleges, here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your time there.

Set up a tour

Call ahead and set up a campus tour. It will likely take place with an admissions officer or a Student Ambassador. Some schools will also have preview days or group tours. North Park has certain days when students can take a campus tour and spend the night with a current student in a dorm; it’s a great way to ask the student questions and explore the surrounding neighborhood or city.

Never be afraid to ask lots of questions

Spend your time asking every question you can think of. The more information you get, the more informed your decision will be. And make sure you ask to see the places where you might spend most of your time: the gym, lab spaces, or the campus hot spot.

Get a feel for the environment

This will be your home for the next few years as you earn your degree. Use your visit to see how other students and professors interact with each other; then match your personality and desires against your experience there.

Take notes and pictures

Chances are, you’re looking at multiple colleges and universities, and it’s easy to get your memories mixed up. Notes and pictures will help you remember what you did and didn’t enjoy about the school.

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