Distance Decisions – Visit Virtually
Choosing your College Campus from home
While some institutions produce their own virtual tours, private companies have also made many online tours. As a result, multiple tours may be available, each with a somewhat different viewpoint. Remember that a single virtual tour is just a start. You have a range of tools available to help you understand the college community you hope to join.
Remember, when deciding where to go to college, keep in mind – it matters less where you go, what matters the most is what you do when you get there.
Go beyond public reputation or popularity. Review this list of aspects for each college you visit virtually.
How to visit colleges from home:
- Start at the college’s website
- Look for video tours
- Locate and review college’s academic department, professors, and course web pages
- Search for student perspective on social media – locate alternate, student-produced viewpoint
- Review online professor ratings
- Read the campus newspaper
- Read news from the surrounding area near by campus
- Checkout the college’s financial aid website – Accessible services? Scholarship opportunities?
- Talk with local current students or recent alumni.
- Find out what you can about the scene like off campus. Restaurants, nightlife, coffee shops, art galleries, live music venues—your college town (or city) may have a lot to offer on the weekends when you feel like getting away from campus. Find out what the locals do for fun when they’re not hitting the books.
- Research support services that are available to students. At most colleges, you’ll find a lot of opportunities for support and community, depending on your needs and what you’re looking for. Some schools offer mental well-being and counseling services to students, but you’ll want to find out if they cost you anything out of pocket.
