The Ultimate College Tour Checklist: Everything Parents Need to Do Before Hitting the Road

Planning college tours can be confusing and stressful for parents. With so many choices and details to coordinate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Visiting campuses in person is one of the best ways to reduce uncertainty and give your student clarity about what they want. Campus visits offer a real look at academics, student life, and overall fit in a way that websites and brochures cannot match. This guide will help your family stay organized and focus on what matters most—finding the colleges where your student can truly thrive.


1. Build Your Tour List

  • Finalize a list of 6 to 10 colleges to visit. Start with a mix of reach, target, and likely schools.
  • Include schools that vary by region, size, setting, and selectivity. This helps students compare what actually feels like a fit.
  • Encourage your student to add one or two schools outside their comfort zone.
  • Use virtual tours first to rule out schools that clearly do not match what your student wants.


2. Book Official Campus Tours

  • Go directly to each college’s admissions page and register for student-led campus tours. These fill quickly, especially in spring and fall.
  • Look for opportunities to attend academic department open houses or information sessions for prospective students.
  • If your student has a strong interest in a major, try to schedule a meeting with someone in that department.


3. Research Travel and Lodging

  • Assign your student responsibility for planning routes and comparing hotels near campus.
  • Book hotel rooms early or explore whether overnight stays in campus dorms with current students are offered.
  • Consider whether driving or flying allows more time and flexibility.
  • Make the most of travel time by talking through what your student hopes to learn on each campus.


4. Pack Smart

  • Bring weather-appropriate clothing, including layers and comfortable walking shoes.
  • Pack one business casual outfit for any admissions meetings or interviews.
  • Bring a notebook and pens for taking notes immediately after each tour.
  • Use your phone to take photos of key buildings, dorms, and the student center. Capture things your student reacts to so you can compare later.
  • Download campus maps and parking info in advance.


5. Ask the Right Questions

Coach your student to ask about:

  • First-year experience and advising
  • Opportunities for research, internships, or study abroad
  • Campus safety and mental health support
  • Typical class sizes and student-faculty relationships
  • How students spend their weekends
  • What the school looks for in applicants


Encourage your student to speak up during tours, chat with current students, and ask follow-up questions. These interactions often provide the most honest insights.


6. Reflect Right Away

After each visit:

  • Spend 10 minutes in the car debriefing. What stood out? What didn’t?
  • Use a shared notes doc or journal to track your student’s reactions.
  • Encourage your student to describe how each school made them feel, not just what they saw.



7. Capture the Big Picture

  • Review your notes at the end of the trip. Are there themes that repeat? Do any schools rise to the top?
  • If your student is still unsure, revisit one or two campuses in the fall with a different lens.
  • Begin drafting a final college list with these reflections in mind.