From Elon to Mizzou, Senior Edie Glick has spent the past year touring campuses, meeting students and picturing what life might look like after graduation. Many upperclassmen are in the same boat: visiting universities across the nation to narrow down their potential home. For Glick, each trip has brought her a little closer to finding the right fit.

A college visit is often a defining moment in the application process. It’s a chance for students to see beyond glossy brochures and polished websites and instead get a real feel for what a campus community is like. This trip helps students decide whether or not to apply to that school, or more seriously, attend the university. Whether it’s a guided tour led by an admissions representative, a scheduled information session, a virtual visit from home or even an athletic recruitment visit, every tour gives students a small but meaningful glimpse into college life.

Glick has toured six schools, including Elon University, Furman University, Creighton University, Drake University, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri. At each campus, she learned something new about what she wants in a college experience.

“I look for like a big sense of community,” Glick said. “I personally like smaller colleges because I like the smaller teacher-to-student ratio. I want to have a good connection with my teachers.”

According to college counselor Bryan Smith, that feeling of connection is exactly what many students should focus on during their visits. The sense of belonging can be one of the biggest pros of visiting colleges in person. Standing in the middle of a busy campus, eating in a dining hall or sitting in on a class gives students a real sense of what their day-to-day life could look like. For many, it’s the moment when a college stops being just a name on a list and starts to feel like a potential home.

“[At a visit] you’re just getting kind of a small slice of the campus experience in that time,” Smith said. “But as far as things to look for, I would just say to see what that community actually feels like while you’re there.”

Smith emphasized that while glossy brochures and polished websites can be informative, the college search process is dependent on asking questions.

“Be present. Ask questions,” Smith said. “Really think about if you could see yourself there. Ask, ‘Could I live in this building? Could I be in this community? Is this campus too big? Is it too small?’ Just really try to be present.”

Glick said she learned the most by doing exactly that: asking questions.

“I asked a lot about student life, what courses I want to go into and pre-med programs,” Glick said. “I’ve asked about specific programs like that.”

But the process isn’t always easy. Between travel costs, time commitments and the stress of decision-making, visiting schools can be overwhelming. Smith said the college process changes each year, which adds another layer of uncertainty for students and families.

“Things seem to change every year,” Smith said. “It can be difficult to get to a college campus. It can be expensive to get there. Certain colleges may offer certain types of visits, like a general info session tour or  meeting with someone from your selected academic department. There’s so much uncertainty and change year over year, not just on the admission side, but also with the ACT changes, and college is a big decision. So when you combine all that, it’s a very anxiety-inducing process.”

Glick said that while her first visit came with nerves, the excitement quickly took over.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Glick said. “but after that I haven’t been that nervous. I’ve just been really excited to see them.”

While in-person visits are often the most rewarding, they aren’t always realistic for every student. Virtual tours have become a helpful alternative, especially during the pandemic.

“If there’s a school that you know there’s no chance you’re just ever going to visit, those virtual tours or pre-recorded tours can be nice, especially during Covid, when everything shut down,” Smith said. “Getting on campus is definitely best, but virtual options can still provide information you might not get otherwise.”

These choices, whether it’s as simple is taking a virtual tour or in-person, or a more complicated matter, like choosing a school to look at for an attended major, are stressful. However, there are numerous ways to make the process much easier. Smith suggests to make these visits almost like a vacation.

“Take those visits with family, visiting an older sibling or a friend,” Smith said. “There are still a lot of opportunities for fun and relaxation, even in this otherwise kind of stressful and crazy time.”

In terms of the college process as a whole, Glick suggests to start early.

“I started really early, and it’s been super helpful,” Glick said. “I made a spreadsheet of everything I’ve been involved in with dates, and that has made the college application process easier.”

Even with such an early start, Glick still wishes she researched more.

“I’m a first child, so my mom and I both have no idea what we’re doing,” Glick said. “I wish I researched different schools and what questions to ask the tour guides just to get as much information as I possibly could.”

Even so, both Smith and Glick agree that there’s no single “right” way to approach the process. For some, it’s about exploring new place and picturing the next chapter. For others, it’s about checking off lists and finding comfort in what feels familiar. Either way, the goal is the same: to discover a space that feels like home.

Smith also pointed out that parents often play a big role in this journey, helping with logistics, travel and sometimes even offering emotional support.

“Parents are a big part of it,” Smith said. “They may be contributing financially, or just helping their students feel comfortable with the transition. It’s about making sure the campus feels safe and welcoming not only to the students but to the family, too.”

No matter who much research, visiting and planning one does, optimism is ultimately the best remedy to the “tour terrors.”

“College should be one of the best times of your life,” Smith said. “It’s such a transformative time, and there should be some excitement in that.”