1. Prepare as though you’ll be there in person.

Just because you’re not physically present for a tour or info session doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare. Students should research each school they're interested in before the scheduled virtual visit. There are lots of ways to do this research remotely. They can start by visiting the admissions websites for the colleges on their list and learning more about each school through the resources available there. They can also look to social media: it certainly requires discretion, as there are various students representing colleges on social media, but it can give them a better sense of what each college is actually like. 

As your student researches, they should write down questions they have. These virtual visits will be so much more beneficial if a student knows what they want to get out of it before it begins.

2. Take notes on what you learn.

After a virtual visit or two, all the information can blur together. Was it Wash U that had the research lab? Does Texas A&M allow me to double major? What is Auburn’s policy for out-of state scholarships? Students may find it helpful to use our scorecard, found at the end of our Guide To College Tours, to keep track of their notes. This can help them compare the school with their college list criteria.

3. Explore additional ways you can learn about the school.

Colleges have expanded their offerings from traditional information sessions to include virtual tours, student panels, major specific sessions and one-on-one meeting times with admissions counselors.  Take advantage of the opportunities that best suit your needs.

In addition, there are a number of insider info platforms that we encourage students to utilize. Here are a few that we think are most useful:

• YouVisit: interactive virtual tours for more than 600 U.S. colleges
• CampusReel: short reviews and tours produced by students
• Induck: descriptions of colleges based on interviews with students along with the full interviews



We know that virtual tours can be very different from online tours, but it’s important that the class of 2021 dedicate time to researching and "visiting" the schools they're planning to apply to.