College Visit Checklist

By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path

As a college counselor, it is important to guide students on what to ask during their college visits to help them make informed decisions. 

College Visit Planning Tips and What to Look For on a College Visit

Use this college visit checklist like a decision tool, not a scavenger hunt. The goal is to evaluate colleges during visits by noticing what daily life will feel like, classes, housing, support, and safety.

College visit planning tips that save time: pick 3 priorities before you go (academics, cost, distance, campus life), then plan your college campus tour checklist around those. While you walk, look for real signals: are students engaged, do spaces feel safe at night, and do support offices feel easy to access (not hidden)?

Bring a simple college visit notes template, so that every campus is recorded the same way.

Use 4 headings in your notes: Pros / Cons / Surprises / Dealbreakers. Add one line for “I can picture myself here because ___.” That single sentence helps when every campus starts to blend.

Here is a list of questions to ask when visiting colleges:

Questions To Ask a Current Student:

• What do you like about the school?

• What would you change?

• What do you think prospective students should know about the school?

• What’s close to campus and walkable for you to do?

• What’s the general vibe?

• What do you and your friends do on a Wednesday night?

• What about a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon?

• How late do people stay in the library when it’s not midterms or finals?

• Do students wear college name stuff?

• What’s your favorite cafe or coffee shop nearby?

• Where do you go to study when you don’t want to use the library?

• Are there social media groups I should join to help me get connected?

Dorms:

• What are the housing options available for freshmen and upperclassmen?

• What is the cost of living on campus?

• How are roommates assigned?

• Are there any themed living communities available (sometimes called a Living and Learning Community, or LLC, based on particular interest)?

• What amenities are provided in the dorms (i.e., kitchen, laundry, study rooms, etc.)?

• Are there any quiet hours or rules to follow?

• Is housing guaranteed for four years?

• If students live off campus, what is the typical rent for a student?

• Are cars allowed on campus?

• What is the campus crime rate both on and off campus, and do you have any security protocol?

• Is there a blue light system, night security, or shuttle system to help students get home safely at night?

Dining Hall:

• What meal plans are required, and what do they include?

• What are the hours of operation?

• Are there any dietary restrictions that are accommodated?

• What dining options are available throughout campus and can meal plan dollars be used to eat at restaurants in town?

• Are there any specialty dining options available?

• How are meal swipes or points tracked?

• How is the quality of food? (Be sure to eat on campus and check it out for yourself!)

Wellness Center:

• What health services are available to students?

• What counseling services are available, and how can students access them?

• Are there any wellness programs available to students?

• Do they offer specialized stress-relief events throughout the most stressful times of the school year including midterms and finals? (Think puppies in the quad or yoga)

• Are students allowed to bring their comfort animals to school?

School in Which the Student will Major:

• What majors are available, and how many students typically enroll in each major?

• What is the average class size for the student’s major?

• What opportunities are available for research, internships, or experiential learning in the student’s major?

• How easy is it to change majors?

• Can prospective students sit in on a class and listen to how professors in their intended major teach?

Campus Quad:

• What events or activities are typically held on the campus quad?

• Are there any outdoor study areas or seating available?

• What is the size of the campus quad?

• How friendly and welcoming are students as they cross the quad - are they on their phones or looking up and engaging with passersby?

• What shuttle services are available to get groceries, go to a drug store, or pick up food from off-campus?

Recreation Center:

• What fitness equipment and facilities are available to students?

• Are there any fitness classes available to students?

• What non-division sports are offered to students, think flag football, kickball, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, and dodgeball?

• Is there a fee to access the recreation center?

• How does the campus community come together? Is it around sports, traditions, arts, or other activities?

Academic Support:

• What tutoring or academic support services are available to students?

• Are there any study groups or peer mentoring programs available?

• Is there a writing center, math center, or peer-tutoring available?

• Are there any fees associated with academic support services?

• How do class sizes impact the ability for students to engage with their professors - think Intro to Psychology can usually have 300+ in a class vs Intro to English?

Library:

• What resources are available in the library (i.e., books, journals, online databases)?

• Are there any quiet study rooms or spaces available in the library?

• Is there 24/7 IT assistance in the library? 

• How many quiet spaces are scattered throughout the school?

Student Center:

• What is campus life like?

• Are there any student clubs or organizations based in the student center?

• Is there Greek life on campus? How much of the campus community is involved?

• What do students do for fun both on and off campus?

• What is the vibe on campus during weekends?

Career Center:

• What career services are available to students?

• Are there any job or internship fairs hosted by the career center?

• What resources are available to help students with their job search?

• Where have students interned?

• How long does it take to find a full-time job after graduation?

• What kind of mentorship is available?

• Does the school use its alumni to help its current students find a job?

• What kinds of on-campus part-time jobs are available?

College Visit Questions for Parents and Questions to Ask Admissions Staff

Parents can use college visit questions to confirm policies, costs, and support. When you meet admissions representatives, ask questions to ask admissions staff that lead to clear, checkable answers.

Ask these questions (use the ones that match your priorities):

• What is the typical first-year class size in my major (and who teaches it)? (college visit questions class sizes)

• What academic support services are most used, and how do students access tutoring fast?

• How are internships supported by career coaching, alumni networks, employer fairs, or faculty connections? (college visit questions internships)

• What does campus safety look like at night (escorts, shuttles, alert system, lighting)? (college visit questions campus safety)

• What percent of first-years live on campus, and is housing guaranteed beyond freshman year?

Comparing Colleges Checklist + Self-Guided College Tour Tips

Self-guided college tours can still be powerful if you stay consistent. Use self-guided college tour tips like visiting at two times of day (midday and evening), sitting in one public study area for 10 minutes, and walking the path from dorms to academic buildings.

For decision clarity, use a comparing colleges checklist with a simple score after every visit: rate Academics, Campus Life, Housing, Support, Safety, Career Outcomes from 1–5, then write one “top reason” and one “top concern.” This keeps emotions from taking over when you’re choosing a college.

If you want to keep it organized, turn your notes into a one-page college tour checklist PDF later (even a phone “print to PDF” works). The format matters less than the habit: same categories, every school, every time.

Remember, college visits and campus tours are an important opportunity for students to get a feel for the campus and learn more about what the college has to offer. If your student has any questions about the college admissions process, college tours, or even how to prepare for interviews, do not hesitate to reach out to College Flight Path for support.

To learn more about using a college visit checklist or any other related topics, email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call.

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