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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Articles

Our Best Advice for College Tours and Campus Visits

Not sure where to start with campus visits? Here's everything you need to know to plan, go, and reflect on every trip you make throughout your college search!

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Originally Posted: Mar 21, 2022

Campus visits can be one of the most fun parts of the college search—but also the most overwhelming! After all, it takes a lot of time, research, money, and effort to visit the schools on your college list. That’s why we’ve gathered all our best advice to help you understand the importance of experiencing campus before committing to a school, what schools to visit, and the types of visit events you should know about. You’ll also learn about ways to prepare, places to see, questions to ask, alternatives when you can’t visit in person, and more. Dive right in, then start planning your campus visits with your newfound knowledge!

The importance of campus visits

• Campus Visits: The Best Resource to Use in Your College Search : How do you narrow the list of 4,000 schools down to a few that you want to explore further? The college visit is your secret weapon. Find out why!
• 3 Main Types of College Visits You Should Know About : Here’s an intro to the three most common types of visit experiences typically offered by colleges: traditional tours, open houses, and overnight visits.
• When Should I Visit College Campuses? : Most colleges are open year-round for campus visits, but the time of year you visit will impact what you see. Here's what our experts recommend.
• Make Your College Visits Fun and Accessible, Not Stressful : You always hear how vital college visits are to finding the right school, but you should also enjoy them! Here's how to make them fun, not overwhelming.

Preparing for your visits

• Campus Tours: What to Expect and How to Prepare Ahead of Time : The best way to enjoy your college visits is to be fully prepared for them. Here's what you need to know about scheduled college tours and how to get ready!
• An Important Checklist to Plan Your First Official College Visits : Planning campus visits can seem like a daunting task. But if you follow this simple checklist, you'll be in perfect shape for all your college tours.
• College Visits: How to Prepare to Take Tours and Explore Campus : Campus visits are vital when considering what colleges to apply to. Whether you go in person or explore online tours, these tips can help you get there.
• 3 Things You Need to Do Before Visiting a College : So many colleges, so little time to visit! These three steps can help you narrow down your college list and make the most of your campus visits.
• 3 Important Reminders Before You Go on Campus Visits : Campus visits are extremely important, but the stress can sometimes make you forget the key details. Here are three reminders before you go on college tours.

Having the best experience on campus

• Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Campus Visits : Picking a college is not easy. However, one important way to help make your decision easier is to visit the campus. Here's how to do it right!
• Top 5 Places to See During Your Campus Visit : College visits are an exciting educational opportunity! As you set foot on campus, here are some essential places to look for and questions to ask.
• 5 College Visit Tips No One Told You About Until Now : Students often wonder: How do I make the most of a campus visit? There's a lot of advice out there, but these are the little-known things no one tells you.
• Top 10 Tips for Your College Visit Road Trip : Are you traveling far to visit your colleges of interest? Here's how to make the most of your experience on a whirlwind road trip college search adventure.
• How to Overcome Anxiety and Talk to College Students on Campus Tours : College kids can seem intimidating. So how do you talk to them on campus tours? These tips will help you build up your courage and get you talking in no time.
• 3 College Visit Locations That Can Be Turned Into Vacations : Too busy to take a vacation and visit colleges? You can do both at once with this list of travel ideas for areas around the country with major colleges.
• How Students Can Make the Most of College Fly-In Programs : College fly-in programs might just be the ultimate campus visit. Here's a closer look at what they are and how you can make the most of them.

Things to do and places to go

• What Should I Be Looking for During My Campus Visits? : Campus visits are important in determining whether a college is a good fit for you. Here's what you should be looking for during your college tours, according to an expert.
• 10 Things You Should Definitely Do on Every College Visit : If you're putting in the effort to visit colleges before applying, make sure you're taking full advantage of it. Here are 10 things to do on campus tours.
• 10 Lesser-Known Stops to Make on Your Campus Tours : While planning your college visits, be sure to include these 10 unexpected places and hidden gems in your plans. They might help make your final decision easier!
• The Best Ways to Make Your College Campus Visits More Fun : Are all those campus visits tiring you out? Here are a few ways to make them a little more entertaining...including a rousing game of Campus Visit Bingo!
• Make Campus Visits Fun With the CX Scavenger Hunt : Have an adventure on your next college tour with the CollegeXpress Campus Visit Scavenger Hunt! Download our map and be sure to visit these important hot spots.

Questions to ask on your tours

• The Essential List of Campus Visit Questions : Campus visits are an essential part of the college search but can be overwhelming, so it's important to ask the right questions. Here's a whole list of them!
• Smart Questions to Ask Before, During, and After College Visits : Questions are an infinitely important part of your college tours—before, during, and after! Not sure what to ask? Let this quick guide help you out.
• Campus Visits: Places to Go and Questions to Ask : Not sure what to ask on your next college tour? Here are all the questions you could possibly need, plus places you should visit and other factors to consider!
• Important and Unique Questions to Ask on Campus Visits : Visiting colleges is exciting and nerve-wracking for prospective students. Make sure you're prepared with the right questions to learn the most possible!

If you can’t go on an official tour

• Fun Things to Do When You Can't Go on Official Campus Tours : Even if you don't have the opportunity to go on a formal student-led tour, there are still plenty of things you can do to get a feel for a school.
• Smart Things You Can Do If You Can't Visit Campus : Sometimes you just can't visit a certain college, but that doesn't mean you should rule it out. Here's what to do when you can't visit a campus in person.
• 3 Good Alternative Options for Canceled Campus Tours : Your college search doesn't have to be on hold if campus tours have been canceled by COVID-19. Here are three ways to still learn about your top schools!
• Beyond Pretty Brochures: How to Plan Informal Campus Visits : Official campus tours are great, but they only give you part of the story. Get a more realistic view of your colleges with this advice on making informal campus visits.
• How to Have a Successful Self-Guided Campus Visit : Signing up for an official tour isn't the only way to visit colleges! Use these tips and tricks if you feel like exploring campus on your own schedule.
• 7 Ways to Make Campus Visits More Affordable : College is already expensive, and unfortunately, so are college visits before you even apply to a college. Don't worry! There are plenty of ways to save money.

Virtual tour advice

• COVID-19 and Virtual Campus Tours : Is the COVID-19 outbreak causing you to cancel your campus visit? Don't fret—virtual tours are the answer to coronavirus cancellations.
• How to Have a Great Virtual Campus Visit Experience : If you're overwhelmed by all the virtual college visit options, have no fear. Here's a comprehensive guide to having your best virtual tour experience.
• 5 Helpful Things to Look for on a Virtual Campus Tour : Virtual tours are a great alternative if you can't physically visit campus. Here's what to look for and questions to ask to make the most of your experience.
• CollegeXpress Featured Colleges With Virtual Tours : Use this list to learn which of our featured colleges offer virtual tours, read more about them on their CollegeXpress profiles, and access each school's virtual tour on their website!

Advice for different types of students

• Campus Visits: Not Just for Undergrads! : Campus visits come to mind when you think about undergrad programs, but what about grad school? Here's why even grad students should consider a campus visit.
• Campus Visit Tips for Future Grad Students : Visiting graduate schools is just as important as it was for undergrad! Here's how to get the most from your campus visits as a prospective grad student.
• A Quick List of Transfer-Specific Campus Visit Questions : Campus visits are as important when transferring as they were in high school. Here are some important questions you should be asking on your college trips.
• How to Prepare for University Fairs and Really Get to Know Schools : University fairs allow students who can't visit international campuses to connect with their schools of interest. Here's how to prep for these big events!

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•   Improve Your College Research With Great Campus Tour Experiences
•   The Best Ways to Make Your College Campus Visits More Fun
•   Top 10 Tips for Your College Visit Road Trip
•   3 College Visit Locations That Can Be Turned Into Vacations
•   Top Tips to Help You Decide Which Colleges to Visit in Person

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College visits are probably the most fun part of the college application process . When it comes to researching potential schools, there’s no better substitute for figuring out if a campus will feel like home.

If possible, visit every college that you are strongly considering. No website, guidebook, or testimonial will give you a better feel for a school than you'll get by seeing it for yourself. Many students change their minds after a campus visit. This is obviously preferable to changing your mind after you enroll! Get the most out of your time on campus with our college visit checklist:

1. Mind the calendar.

Schedule your visit while school is in session. You won't get a realistic idea of student life in August (or if you attend during a special event like Spring Fling).

2. Meet the experts.

Talk to the current students—they may soon be your peers. If they have a problem or complaint, they will probably share it with you. If they love their school, they won't be shy about it either. Come prepared with some questions to ask—specific ones will get you more interesting (and helpful) answers.

3. Meet the other experts.

Stop by the admissions office and introduce yourself. Let them know what interests you about the school so they can direct you to the best place for further investigation. Collect contact information and send a brief, friendly e-mail thanking them for taking the time to talk to you.

If there is a sign–up sheet, add your name! Colleges do keep track of which applicants have demonstrated genuine interest in the school. A visit is a great way to demonstrate your interest.

Read More: 6 Quick Tips for Contacting Colleges

Some schools will let you interview with an admissions rep during your campus visit. If this opportunity is available, don't pass it up.

4. Take the campus tour…

While it's the most obvious thing to do, the official campus tour is worth your while. (Find out if you need to register to get a spot.) It gives the school a chance to show off its best features, like the newly-built theater or their rooftop planetarium. While you're walking around, check out the flyers and bulletin boards and pick up a school newspaper to get a sense of what's going on.

5. …then venture out on your own.

The official tour will probably steer you clear of the school's less attractive features, like the shoddy dining hall or the tiny gymnasium. Take your own un-official tour by wandering around campus. If there are any facilities that are important to you, find them and have a look for yourself. Make sure your destinations include the library and the first-year dorms .

6. Be a student for a day (or night).

Some schools sponsor overnight programs in which you can stay with a current student. This is a great opportunity to get a deeper sense of campus life and interact with your potential future friends and roommates.

Even if you don't stay over, most schools will allow you to sit in on lectures. Browse the course catalogue before you arrive, or ask the admissions office what classes are in session that day.

Read More: College Search Tool

7. Save the best for last.

You'll get better at visiting colleges with practice. As you compare schools, you pick up on the aspects you like and the aspects you're not so fond of. You also figure out the right questions to ask, as well as the best campus spots to gauge student life. For that reason, visit your favorite schools last, so you'll be in the best position to make comparisons to the others on your list.

8. Keep a record of every college visit.

If you visit many schools, your memories of them are bound to overlap. Use a note-taking or voice-recording app on your phone, or plain old notebook and pen, to keep track of the details you like and the stuff that you don't like. When more questions arise (as they most definitely will), you can fire off an email for an answer rather than visiting a second time.

9. Don't rush to judgment.

Try not to base your opinion of a school on bad weather or one boring class. There are bound to be sunny days and more interesting classes. Same goes for overnight visits—you might end up staying with a student who has very different interests than you do.

At the same time, trust your gut. Sometimes it's love at first sight. Other times, something feels wrong (even if you can't put your finger on it).

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Campus visit checklist.

The academics, the facilities, the campus life. So much to see! This checklist can help you decide if the college is right for you.

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Summer College Tours: Who to Meet and What to Do

Summer allows for longer college visits, but some parts of campus may be closed and some people unavailable.

Summer College Tours Checklist

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Whether students are set on a major or still exploring, one of the top priorities should be asking to visit a building where they might spend a lot of their time.

Key takeaways:

• Summer visits allow you to spend more time on campus.
• Professors and others may be unavailable and some buildings may be closed.
• Plan visits when you can meet in person with someone.

While many students and families take college visits during the school year, the summer is still a busy time for college admissions offices to coordinate campus visits. With students not bound by a school schedule or single-day campus tours during the school year, the summer offers more flexibility for students and parents to spend a longer time or multiple days on campus.

“The summer really is an ideal time for that exploration," says Kent Barnds, vice president of admissions, financial aid, and communication and marketing at Augustana College in Illinois. "There’s a little greater flexibility on a college campus then to accommodate visits. Summer is sometimes an ideal time for a student and a family that is at the beginning of the college search and may be a little uncertain about what they want."

Summer visits often allow students and families to explore campus more freely and find parking more easily, says Kelly Nolin, director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Montana .

A less-crowded campus can also be good for students who may feel anxious about the college experience and can be a less-intimidating way for them to acclimate to a campus environment, she adds.

But it also means students won't get a sense of what the campus feels like when everyone is there, Nolin says. Families should also be aware that some professors may not be available and some offices or buildings may be closed or inaccessible during the summer.

But experts say that with some planning and coordination, families can still schedule effective campus visits. Here are some tips for planning summer college tours.

Be Intentional When Planning a Visit

While it's less frequent than during the academic year, some colleges hold formal visit days during the summer to ensure people from certain offices are present, such as financial aid, academic advising , counseling, residence life and career services. Augustana does this each summer, Barnds says, and he encourages families to plan their visits on those days if possible.

An alternative would be to coordinate with a person or office your student sees as a priority, such as a coach for a prospective athlete or a professor in their field of interest, and schedule an in-person meeting with them – then plan the rest of the visit around that. Families who show up unannounced hoping to see certain people or buildings may not have much luck, Barnds says.

“It never hurts to ask if that meeting might be available, but I do think that students and families have to temper their expectations about who may be available on any given day," he says. "That’s one of the reasons why one of the formal days might be better visit opportunities, because usually college campuses might be mobilizing more resources."

Employees on 12-month contracts, such as those in career services , financial aid and residence life , will likely be on campus, Barnds says, but Nolin says it's still best to plan a meeting ahead of time, preferably at least two weeks in advance. Admissions counselors can often help with this.

"Counselors are a great resource for not just the time on campus but for what families might want to do in the area," she says. "They can recommend other things to check out. They can also set realistic expectations for who is and who isn’t on campus."

Who to Meet and What to See on Campus Visits

A crucial part of an effective college visit is getting questions answered and having conversations about important parts of the college experience, such as available courses, extracurricular activities , residence life, joining a Greek organization and what's available through student support services.

Visiting certain buildings and offices and meeting with specific campus personnel can also help students make informed college decisions. Here's who and what should be on that list, experts say.

Speak With Tour Guides

Barnds, who is also Augustana's executive vice president for strategy and innovation, says the most important resource during summer visits is often the student tour guide.

"That experience of going on a campus tour with a current student, having the ability to ask that current student questions, that’s the most important part of that summer visit experience," he says.

If possible, students should elect to take a guided rather than self-guided tour so that someone is there to answer questions or provide access to buildings that might otherwise be closed, he says.

Visit Primary Study Buildings and Meet With Faculty

College tours sometimes take students through campus without entering buildings. Whether students are set on a major or still exploring, one of the top priorities should be asking to visit a building where they might spend a lot of their time, Barnds says.

For example, a prospective biology major should ask to see a lab, while a prospective journalism student should ask to see the journalism building or student publications office.

Nolin adds that students should also visit the campus library and university center, and meet with faculty or other academic representatives in their prospective major.

"This might not be a faculty member since many professors are not on campus during the summer," Nolin says. "However, they may be able to talk with a departmental adviser or recruiter."

Though some professors are off campus or out of town conducting research during the summer, some may still be local and available to meet in person either in their office or at an off-campus location such as a coffee shop. Others may be open to meeting virtually, Barnds says.

Eat at the Campus Dining Center

Some schools require residential students, especially first-year students , to purchase a meal plan , which can cost between $3,000 and $5,500, or much more in some cases. Because of that, and the number of meals students will likely eat on campus , experts say visiting students should eat at least one meal on campus. Some schools provide at least one complimentary meal as part of the visit.

"Summer is a good time to try out the dining center because it’s a lot less crowded, although choices may be limited," Nolin says. "It’s most important for students with allergies or food intolerances to try a meal while visiting so they can make sure their nutritional needs will be met."

If the dining center is closed, Barnds encourages students to ask current students or campus employees to recommend several local restaurants where students often enjoy eating. This allows prospective students to get a taste of what’s available in town and experience the atmosphere off campus.

Tour a Residence Hall

Some schools require first-year students to live on campus , but some students may choose to do so for convenience or other reasons even as upperclassmen. Experts say visiting students should ask to see a residence hall building and a dorm room while on their visit if it's not part of the tour.

These visits can typically be set up through the school's residence life office, and some schools have a model dorm room for students to tour while visiting.

Meet With Student Services and Other Support Personnel

Some students may need additional support while in college, whether for academic tutoring, mental health counseling, physical or learning disability accommodations or special health needs and accommodations. Others may want to meet with people in the diversity office, a campus religious ministry or the health center.

Scheduling those meetings over the summer may allow for more meetings and in-depth conversations with the appropriate people, experts say. Knowing where those offices are located, who to contact and what services are available is important to ask about on a summer campus tour, Barnds says.

"Those are sometimes the facilities people don’t see on their campus tours but are the most important facilities once they actually get to a campus," he says.

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The hotels might as well have been hostels and to go to Italy to experience the culture, of which food is a part, and be fed pork chops and potatoes?! Come on, at least make an effort or just be up front that people are on their own for all meals and not charge, then allow time to visit the local food establishments. There was also an abundance of disorganization when visiting sites and more than necessary aimless walking around. Aren't tour guides paid and part of the trip to avoid being disorganized?!

Date of experience : June 04, 2024

Our experience with the trip in France…

Our experience with the trip in France and UK was awesome due to efforts of all people involved especially Eleni’s. She was a true gem. She was able to find the best possible solution's to most impossible situations and make every one of us feel special. Would definitely go again in a future trip with her as a leader. Kudos to EF for hiring such good people.

Date of experience : June 08, 2024

I joined my daughter on the EF tour

I joined my daughter on the EF tour, our tour director Sonia exceeded every expectation that I had. The places that we visited were outstanding, but without a doubt she made everything magical. She was educational and involved everyone to hold their attention. She is impressive. The tour was phenomenal. There were hiccups and changes made but done so with ease and grace. It was so smooth and enjoyable. My 16 year old daughter had the time of her life and is begging to go again.

Date of experience : June 22, 2024

Amazing guide and great experiences!

The tour guide was amazing. The trip was well planned out with just enough things to see and do and had enough downtime also. I enjoyed the adventure and am happy with the European lifestyle I experienced. One comment that probably can't be helped by EF Tours necessarily - some of the hotel bathrooms were challenging, but that seems to be the case with most hotels across Europe, not something EF Tours can fix necessarily.

The program was well organized with…

The program was well organized with clear communication from Mr. Priest. He was an organized, edfficient, and communicative leader. He also has a personality incredibly well suited to travel with teenage boys. He managed to balance discipline and structure and a great sense of humor. He was easy going enough but ensured the boys knew there were rules that had to be adhered to.

Date of experience : June 14, 2024

Germany, Italy & Switzerland

Our tour guide and bus driver were amazing! Absolutely enjoyed interacting and learning from them. Never a dull moment. Wish we had more at ech location and for some shopping, even 30 extra minutes would have made a huge difference. The only other concern was A/C in the hotel in Italy. The first night it wasnt working, to be super hot all day and to come back to sleep in the heat just made for a miserable and sweaty experience. Overall, a wonderful trip that I cant stop talking about.

Date of experience : June 19, 2024

Costa Rica 2024

We brought 34 eighth and ninth-grade students to Costa Rica. This was our first international trip for middle school students and we had a wonderful experience. Our tour director, Andreas, was kind, knowledgeable, personable, and available for us 24/7 while we were in Costa Rica. The students had an amazing time and I would certainly recommend EF again for student travel.

Date of experience : June 11, 2024

My kids such a fun and safe time

My kids such a fun and safe time. Thank you for providing these opportunities and guiding us the entire way. They loved their experience so much they will be taking the Germany Italy tour next year also. Amazing program and company. I recommend them to everyone I meet.

My daughter had an amazing and safe…

My daughter had an amazing and safe trip. She enjoyed it tremendously and made a few new friends. The tour stopped at many fabulous and educational places, she learned a lot as well. She was well prepared beforehand of what to expect, and made it to her destination and back safely, I couldn't ask for more.

We were very thankful to have the…

We were very thankful to have the opportunity to travel to so many different countries, but the agenda was too packed. We wish we saw fewer countries and had more time in each city to explore. We also didn’t like that we had to get up super early every morning… I would highly recommend at least two mornings during the trip where everyone can sleep in and get some rest. We didn’t like that we didn’t have an option on the meal choices for the group meals. Our tour guide was fantastic!

Date of experience : June 21, 2024

Getting exposed to so many places and…

Getting exposed to so many places and experiences within each country. A huge improvement would be following protocol for underage drinking. Contract signing means nothing when kids allowed to continue behavior up to three nights if not more. That made it frustrating for adults and kids on the trip.

Date of experience : June 05, 2024

My daughter went on an EF tour- which…

My daughter went on an EF tour- which included Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London and a few areas in between. She had the trip of a lifetime and shared it with her best high school friends. The EF Tour Guide was exceptional and not only connected with the students but offered incredible insight to the areas they were touring. Highly recommend!

Freddie and Guillermo

Our tour guide, Guillermo, and our driver, Freddie, did an amazing job. They made us feel like family and never hesitated to teach us something new about their culture or their day-to-day lives. I absolutely loved this trip.

Communication disconnect

There was major communication disconnect throughout the whole trip. Everyone should be entitled to know where we are going each leg of the journey. Meeting points and dining locations should not be kept secret until we get there. People are capable of locating a place without having to walk miles to the location only to find out you have to walk another mile or more to go back to have leisure time. Food allergies are not adhered to even when you submit to EF and to the school's leader well in advance. There are no accommodations for injury or disabled persons.

Date of experience : June 09, 2024

Action-packed and meticulously planned

We loved how the trip was action-packed and every detail was meticulously planned. The payment plan made financing the trip so much easier. We really appreciated EF’s focus on safety. Highly recommend.

London/Italy 2024 Morris High School Trip

My 16 yr old daughter had so much fun with her classmates. The tours she raved about the most was the Vatican. Italy was her absolute favorite. This trip really got her thinking about travel. Thank you for putting together such a memorable even for our children. I can’t wait for the next one.

Family Law disregard

I told the representative that my kids didn't have my authorization to go per the divorce decree and was told that you guys only need one parent authorization, this a violation of the Family Law, my ex wife didn't care either and even after calling school the kids were taken out of the country without my approval. I wish I had the money to sue you but I don't. You should revise your terms after the new law approved last year in Texas about interfering with a Child Possession. Thanks

A Fantastic Trip to Germany

The cities were wonderful, the on-tour director was so knowledgeable, personable and organized. She made friends with my students immediately and worked overtime to ensure a fun and safe trip for all. The bus driver was so entertaining- he made the long trips cool! The hotels were all clean, neat and stylish and the breakfasts were excellent. The dinners were delicious and geared so that even the pickiest student woudl like them!

Fun filled experience.

The kids loved most everything about their trip except one of their first connecting flights goy canceled so the missed all their other flights. When they got vaught up it was one fun interesting adventure after another.

There is always a hiccup but we made it thru.

It was a great experience to travel with such a great team of people. We did have some moments where we felt our time could have been spent better, but overall it was a good and memorable trip. The quality of the bus we travel in went from a bus with a broken beeping door to a 5star that had air conditioning, phone chargers and pleasant seat's, to a bus that felt like it was going to fall apart on our way to the airport. It was a roller coaster of emotions. I wish that there would be more consistency in the quality of transportation being used. That last bus had a very loud sound of an engine rattling inside. Ultimately, we max it to the airport and that was what matters most. The overall experience was good and I would certainly recommend EF tours to any parent considering sending their children on a trip. The tour guides put the kids first and that is very important. Education First. 🤍

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Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits?

Spring is on the way; the season when flowers bloom, the days get longer and warmer, and high school juniors and seniors traditionally flock to visit college campuses as they decide where to apply or attend. But for the last two years, the pandemic has caused colleges and universities to eliminate or scale back on-campus visits and move towards virtual visits for prospective students. This means some students won't get to see their first choice schools in person before applying or accepting. It also means fewer families will spend their spring breaks shuffling behind undergrads who seems preternaturally good at walking backwards, as they peek into dining halls and listen to stories about the history and traditions of yet another school.

The good news (in case that wasn't it for you) — colleges have now had a full year to build out their virtual visit resources, and many have come up with some pretty amazing offerings. We've highlighted the best virtual visit in each region of the country and why we loved it, so you can start planning your virtual college tour this spring.

Best Virtual Campus Visit on the East Coast: Williams College in Williamstown, MA

Students outside of a red brick building on the Williams' College campus

Williams College has been ranked one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation for decades, so it's not surprising that their virtual tour also ranks among the best. In an efficient nine minutes, their recorded campus tour hits on many of things students and their families really want to see, including a look inside the dorms and the food served in the dining hall, as well as the art gallery, dance studio, athletic facility, and the stunning library, which includes a 3-D printing room and recording studio. If you like what you see, you can sign up for a group chat with a real student or attend a virtual information session focused on topics like how to afford college, sustainability on campus, or resources for first generation students. If the times offered don't work for you, watch one of the many prerecorded videos with tips for parents and students on applying to Williams. And, if you want to see firsthand what academics are like at one of the nation's top liberal arts schools, you can watch a recording of a Williams class like Music in Film , or Why the Impacts of Climate Change are So Unfair .

Best Virtual Campus Tour in the South: Tulane University in New Orleans, LA

Stanley Thomas Hall at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA

Tulane 's 25-minute recorded campus tour features two real students and feels a lot like an actual campus walking tour, but with peppy music and faster walking. The tour not only highlights campus buildings and student life, but speaks to the traditions that make the school special, like Friday "Donuts with the Dean" on the porch of Cudd Hall, where students can grab free donuts and coffee and chat with a dean. They also how the famous Mardi Gras tree, where admitted students throw beaded necklaces into the branches, and if they stick, it's supposed to be good luck for your four years.

Tulane also offers a host of other virTUal resources , including an interactive campus map , opportunities to book live virtual tours, and webinars on many topics, including pre-recorded sessions relevant to people applying to other schools too, like tips for parents of prospective college students and tips and tricks for applying to selective colleges.

Best Virtual Campus Visit in the Midwest: University of Wisconsin - Madison in Madison, WI

Quad in front of Memorial Union on University of Wisconsin - Madison campus in Madison, WI

The University of Wisconsin - Madison's interactive map is one of the best we saw. It features a panoramic photo of the school's campus, which is flanked by water on both sides, and offers many clickable pinpoints to learn more about key spots on campus. Each pinpoint brings up a video of a real student talking about the campus spot and its history (for those history buffs missing the lesson) or a slideshow featuring photos taken at different times, so you can get a feel for what it's like to be there. They also offer an array of live and prerecorded virtual events , including information sessions for each school, and resources on topics prospective students typically want to know about, like the study abroad opportunities offered, and sessions on "Tuition and how to pay for it" and "How to submit a strong college application."

But what really sets apart the UW - Madison virtual visit is how easy it is for prospective students to connect with current students. UW - Madison offers special instagram live "Ask Me Anything" sessions with real UW students and staff tailored to specific student groups, like first generation students or transfer students. And it was the only school we saw where prospective students can schedule a 15 minute one-on-one phone call with an actual campus tour guide to ask your specific college questions in a private space.

​Best Virtual Campus Visit on the West Coast: Pepperdine University's Seaver College in Malibu, CA

A view from the Santa Monica mountains of Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University's virtual visit page opens with a sweeping bird's-eye view of the campus that may make you a little sorry you weren't able to visit Seaver College's Malibu campus in person. From up above, it's easy to see how close campus is to the Pacific Ocean. This not-terrible view is visible from the main part of campus, and can be glimpsed in the self-guided 365 virtual tour or one of the quick campus highlight videos . The virtual tour also highlights the school's signature cream-colored buildings with terracotta roofs, the impressive Eddy D. Field Baseball Stadium, and the outdoor pool, which shines like a cyan jewel in the center of campus.

Pepperdine also offers a virtual application workshop for prospective students on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the option to sign-up for a live student-led virtual tour .

But our favorite part and the thing that really sets Pepperdine apart as one the very best virtual college visits is the impressive docuseries Rising Tide . Grab some popcorn and watch all four seasons as it follows five real Pepperine students through their four years at the school.

Explore more schools' virtual offerings

The four schools mentioned above stood out, but many schools throughout the country are offering in-depth and creative online resources for prospective students who won't be able to visit campus in person. One upside of online visits is that, with no travel time or hotel costs to factor in, you can virtually-visit more schools, and you may even find that some new colleges rise to the top of your list. Be sure to visit the websites of any schools you're even a little interested in to see what the virtual events and tools are being offered this spring, and sign up now for the sessions you want to attend.

Joy Bullen is College Confidential's Senior Editor and Head of Content. She is a graduate of Kenyon College , where she majored in English and Creative Writing. She also earned a master’s in Psychology from The New School for Social Research in NYC.

Before becoming a full-time writer and editor, Joy coached thousands of prospective and enrolled college students on admissions and academic and career success. She also managed a team of academic and career coaches and consulted with universities on how to create programs that have better outcomes for students.

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George Strait show in College Station attracts largest ticketed concert attendance in US history

The legendary artist has claimed yet another first.

Nate Kotisso , Digital Journalist

SAN ANTONIO – How ‘bout them new concert records? Boys, ain’t they somethin’?

On top of hit record after hit record, legendary country music artist George Strait can lay claim to another record.

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Strait’s Saturday night concert at Kyle Field in College Station attracted 110,905 ticket-buying fans. The 110,905 tickets sold are now the most sold for a concert in U.S. history.

The King of Broken Records 🤠 Last night George Strait broke the record for largest US ticketed show with 110,905 fans at Kyle Field! Gig ‘Em George 👍🏻 📸 @alivecoverage for Messina Touring Group pic.twitter.com/TAYlUqqQjE — Texas A&M Athletics (@12thMan) June 16, 2024

Strait is no stranger to performing in front of 100,000 people or more in Texas. During his “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” in June 2014, Strait took the stage before 104,793 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Saturday’s mark breaks an almost 47-year record previously held by the Grateful Dead, who performed in front of 107,019 at a Sept. 1977 show in New Jersey.

Strait’s concert also achieved an attendance number the Texas A&M football team has never reached. The program’s attendance record at Kyle Field is 110,663 fans, who witnessed a home loss to Ole Miss in Oct. 2014.

Kyle Field, located on the Texas A&M campus, is currently undergoing a trial run as a venue that hosts more than Aggies’ football games.

The stadium hosted a Brazil-Mexico soccer match on June 8 as a part of the Mexico men’s national team tour of the United States. The 85,249 fans in attendance garnered the largest crowd for a Mexico national team match in Texas history.

Strait, 72, has four more tour dates left in 2024: June 29 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, July 13 at Ford Field in Detroit; July 20 at Solder Field in Chicago and Dec. 7 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Strait will be joined each night by fellow country music artists Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town.

Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Nate kotisso.

Nate Kotisso joined KSAT as a digital journalist in 2024. He previously worked as a newspaper reporter in the Rio Grande Valley for more than two years and spent nearly three years as a digital producer at the CBS station in Oklahoma City.

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Something to Stand for with Mike Rowe

Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War I... Read all Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more. Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more.

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Taylor Swift pauses London Eras Tour show briefly during 'Red' era: 'We need some help'

In the middle of Taylor Swift 's heartfelt speech to a packed Wembley Stadium in London on Friday, the singer paused her train of thought to make sure fans at the catwalk's end were OK.

"We need some help right at the end of the ramp just where they're waving," she said during the "Red" era before her 10-minute song "All Too Well." "Just going to wait until I see that that's sorted out. There we go. You guys are the best. See how fast that was. They really care about you here at Wembley Stadium, and they should."

During Swift's "Betty" and "Champagne Problems" monologues and in the middle of the "Willow" song, she also requested for staff to help fans.

"We need some help right there you see where they’re waving just over there," Swift said from her ivy-adorned "Evermore" piano.

The Eras Tour star performed her first of eight concerts in the massive stadium of 88,446 screaming fans. In the Swift sea were her parents, boyfriend Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Kylie Kelce and Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlin.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Swift reflected on her early concerts in the City of Dreams.

"It is so incredibly surreal to finally be taking the Eras Tour to London, because you have been some of the most supportive people in the entire time that I've been making music from the very beginning," she said. "The first show that I did I think I was 17 and I started out playing King's College. Then played Shepherd's Bush Empire and from there you just continued to support me more and more. The rooms got gradually bigger and bigger."

The superstar will perform at Wembley three nights in June and five nights in August.

Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X as @BryanWestTV .

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Have You Heard the One About the School for Stand-Up Comedy?

In “The Material,” Camille Bordas imagines the anxious hotbed where the perils of being a college student and the perils of being funny meet.

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By Alexandra Jacobs

THE MATERIAL, by Camille Bordas

Everyone’s a critic — and now, it seems, a comedian too. Actual one-liners are what flourish on the platform now known with titanium self-seriousness as X. “Content creators,” a terrible umbrella term that covers some very funny and talented people , are arguably your new late-night hosts, yukking it up over there on TikTok.

Camille Bordas’s “The Material” examines this changing state of professional humor, and manages to be an amusing variation on the campus novel, too.

Only a few fleeting references — to the philosopher Henri Bergson’s essay on laughter , the poet Charles Baudelaire and the highly stylized 1961 film “Last Year at Marienbad” — hint that the author’s first language was French. There is no tentativeness about the English language, but rather a heightened sensitivity. When and how, one character muses, did Apple decide to hijack the psyche (“You have a new memory”) and pelt us with old selfies? “More of that imprecision, he thought, more of that turning words into more or less than they actually were —­ manicures into ‘self-­care,’ meat into ‘protein.’ A photo wasn’t a memory. A photo was a photo.”

Applause for that.

“The Material” is set mostly in Chicago, seat of the famed Second City talent farm, a Goliath that has been criticized for racism . A David has emerged: a Stand Up M.F.A. program, the “first of its kind” under the wing of an unnamed university’s clucking English department. Administrators have invited a veteran comic named Manny Reinhardt, successful and recognizable enough to have had his own HBO special, to be a visiting professor. Undergraduates find this problematic because he once broke the nose of a younger comic who called him a “dinosaur” and has proposed marriage to one-night stands now accusing him of “emotional misconduct.”

In a Richard Russo or David Lodge book, Reinhardt — who’s trying to figure out if he can finally mine his lawyer son’s serious childhood illness for the stage — would probably be the headliner. But Bordas is effectively emceeing an open-mic night — one that takes place, like “Mrs. Dalloway” et al., over the course of one day. Technology has transformed our concept of time, and that means something for comedy, which relies on timing.

In our present-day screenopolis of constant entertainment and commerce, the performers in “The Material” agonize over the integrity of comedy as live art form. What, they are all wondering in various ways, is OK to use, and by whom? Addiction? The Holocaust? Child molestation? Gender and race? Also, is it possible Andy Kaufman faked his own death for the most committed bit in history, and if so, was that ethical?

You get the feeling that Bordas, an assistant professor herself at the University of Florida and widely published writer of short stories, wants to put wokeness if not to bed, then down for a nice nap. The same character who deplores spoon-fed Apple Memories wants a word “for what ‘rape’ used to mean.” Ashbee, the sole Black professor in the program, admits that he enjoys being the token hire, and theorizes wearily that “soon, comedians would only be able to joke about other species if they wanted to stay clear of scandal. After that, it would only be a question of time before people started getting offended on behalf of the animals in question, but still, there was a window there for now.”

Manny rolls his eyes at a tweet suggesting that Americans stop using “‘Northern Hemisphere-specific seasonal language,’ because people had to be aware that what was summer for them wasn’t summer for everybody else on the planet.” The person proposes instead a transparently capitalistic-specific system of referring to quarters (Q1, Q2, etc.), and is immediately mocked for being “heliocentric.”

In a world of mass shootings, when the old prop pistol with the “bang” handkerchief has understandably fallen out of fashion, “The Material” even considers whether guns can be funny. In a weird sub-sub-plot, one professor’s father, who has Parkinson’s, shoots a bar customer through the hand with a family heirloom rifle. More centrally, a 40-something female professor named Dorothy Michaels — do I spy a “Tootsie” reference ? — gets trapped with the English department head during a possible active-shooter situation, flashing on the scene in the Coen brothers movie “Burn After Reading” where George Clooney shoots a grinning Brad Pitt .

The police and TV crews have barely arrived before two students are trying out jokes. “We need gun violence,” one says. “Just like we need unaffordable health care. It’s what makes us who we are.”

Despite this dramatic-sounding setup, there are next to no major events in this novel, which builds toward a laugh-off battle with members of Second City at a club called the Empty Bottle, where drinks are nursed and Adderall causes a minor medical emergency. It’s a stream of neurotic consciousness flowing from person to person, an extended “take my smartphone — please” routine, and an impressive piece of Q3 reading.

THE MATERIAL | By Camille Bordas | Random House | 288 pp. | $28

Alexandra Jacobs is a Times book critic and occasional features writer. She joined The Times in 2010. More about Alexandra Jacobs

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Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .