Q: Is there any point to visiting colleges over the summer?  Won't everything be closed?

A: While it's best to visit a college while it's in full session, this is not always possible—especially if the college is far from your home. So summer is a peak time for campus visits, and colleges are well prepared for visitors. Many colleges have more visitors over the summer than they do during the regular academic year.  In addition, many colleges and universities have summer sessions in progress, so you are going to see an active campus.

There are many valuable things you can do while visiting a college campus over the summer:

  • go on the official tour (usually run by the undergraduate admissions office) and sign in at that office—that way there will be a record of your visit

  • after the tour, wander around on your own—visit the library, the student cente, and any location of special interest to you (e.g. art studios)

  • have a meal in the dining hall

  • approach students/faculty you see, ask if they are at the college during the regular academic year, and ask them what they like best about their school

  • check out the campus neighborhood—are there things to do, shops close by? Is public transportation nearby or is the campus isolated? Is it a friendly area?  do you feel safe?

Take notes you can consult later, and if you are visiting several campuses you can have some extra fun by:

  • looking for gargoyles

  • comparing the quality of campus pizza

  • asking the tour guides about any campus ghosts or legends

Later, when you are actually applying to colleges, you will have had some valuable glimpses that will provide a better perspective than you'd gain simply by looking at view books and websites.