A recent survey shows that only 40% of California students have started applying to college for Fall 2021 admission, as of today. If you are one of the students that is still looking at colleges, check out this advice on how to get to know colleges that interest you.

One of the many rites of passage for college-bound high school students is the college tour. Although the COVID pandemic has brought most options for on-campus tours to a grinding halt, this should not prevent high school students from continuing to ‘visit’ their many colleges of interest in ways that have been second-nature to them for most of their lives – by doing research online. Students can examine far more colleges online than they ever could in person and should take advantage of this time to examine colleges that were not even on their radar. Here are some ways to maximize your online college tour experience.

Take some time for self-reflection Just as with any other application season, the first step on your college tour is to look inside and consider who you are and what you want from your college experience. This important self-reflection will also help you in completing your applications, making your essays resonate with authenticity and your personal truth.

Go wide and deep Tour a wide variety of colleges but stay focused on what you want from your campus. Look at a range of private, public, large, small, urban and rural campuses that seem attractive but then, dive deeply into what they offer and how you might see yourself fitting into their ethos and character. Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed, be thoughtful as you wander.

Start with the college website Go to the Admission Office first. Learn more about admission requirements, major offerings, testing updates, and statistics – admit rate, class sizes, and student/faculty ratio as examples. Always sign up for their mailing list. You’ll start to receive specific communications that are timely and relevant to you.

Embark on a virtual campus tour As you watch, have a notebook handy, a blank Google doc open or a form to complete as you ‘wander’ around the campus.  

Sign up for virtual information sessions and open houses You’ll receive invitations to attend online sessions during which you will learn a lot more about what each individual college has to offer. These may include even more specific virtual tour options. As you make notes during your tours, list questions you can send to the admission office afterwards.

Use other online campus tour programs There are hundreds of campus tours available on YouVisit, Campus Reel and YouTube. Many of these are student generated and present a different outlook. Compare and contrast. Use these as a stepping-stone to narrowing down your college list, but always go back to Admission for up-to-date facts.

Target specific areas of interest to you If you are going to be living on campus, check out housing and dining options, on-campus transportation and student security. If you have an idea of your major, examine classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, libraries, and computer access. If you know you’ll need some support — and almost every student does at some point during their college career — check out the Writing Center, learning disability support services, counseling and health centers, tutoring and preprofessional advising. And, of course, check out the gym, sports facilities, theaters, and Greek Life options.

Go macro  After you’ve done a thorough tour around the campus and checked out all the aspects of interest to you, spread out. Use Google Maps to examine both distances around the campus and outside the campus. How far is it to an off-campus bus stop, shopping area, clubs and restaurants, airport, hospital, parks, hiking trails and other outdoor recreation areas? Is the area safe?

Now start talking When you have a clear idea of both what you want from a college and find colleges with majors of interest, reach out directly to Admission Officers, faculty and students. Identify your high school/regional representative and connect with that person. Email interesting questions based upon your interests and research. Ask about speaking with an alum in your area, and request an introduction to students in your major and faculty in that department. Read about and then speak to a financial aid representative so you have a clear idea of the cost of attendance and possible scholarship options. Use the online calculator. 

Use social media: The use of social media as part of your virtual tour is essential. Check out Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and even Twitter to see what’s available to support your visits, your research and your connection with students. Social media is also a great place to explore students’ clubs and organizations.