Open House

A college open house can bring hundreds of prospective students to campus. The event may include an introduction by admissions personnel in an auditorium or lecture hall, group tours of campus, and informational sessions on college admissions requirements, financial aid, and academics.

Pros: You’ll get a general overview of the college or university without having to go through a personal interview. You get to see the big picture. A college open house can offer a good first look at a school.

Cons: Because you will be one of hundreds of students on campus, you won’t be able to ask questions or spend time visiting particular areas that interest you. You may not get a true feel for the campus because there will be many more people on campus than usual.

Group Tour

To make the best use of staff and volunteer tour guides, many schools hold group tours. Visiting students may have private interviews with admissions counselors before or after their tour, but campus tours follow a set schedule.

Pros:  Other students or parents in the group may ask questions you hadn’t thought about. You’ll benefit from the answers to their questions.
Cons: Because the group tour follows a set itinerary and schedule, you won’t have time to linger in a building or campus area that interests you. Individual requests can’t be addressed during this kind of tour.

Private Tour

While many admissions offices prefer to give group tours, you can request a private tour of campus. You, your parent, and a student tour guide will explore campus together and either begin or end your visit with an admissions interview and possibly a meeting with a financial aid representative. If you requested it, you may be able to chat with a faculty member, sit in on a class, or eat lunch in the cafeteria.

Pros: This visit is all about you. You can ask the tour guide about things that are important to you. You can ask to see areas of the campus that might not be on the standard tour. You may have more time to see the athletic facilities or talk with a professor.
Cons: If you’re shy, you may not feel comfortable being the center of attention. You won’t have the benefit of hearing other people’s questions and comments.

Specialty Event

Campus events for prospective students with specific interests, such as fine arts, science and math, athletics, or leadership, are similar to college open houses, but they target a particular group. Activities can include participating in classes in the area of interest, meeting with faculty, and listening to panel presentations by students in the majors that are the focus of the event. 

Pros: You’ll get to meet prospective students with interests similar to yours. You’ll meet faculty and students in your potential major. You’ll receive more in-depth information about the school’s program.
Cons: Group tours and presentations may not give you the opportunity to ask questions. Also, because the day is geared toward presenting one aspect of the college experience, you may miss out on other facets of campus life.