Visiting colleges

Learn how to get the most out of a college visit

Come visit!

When college students are asked what made them choose the college they enrolled in, a top ranking factor consistently is the campus tour.

Colleges do their best to bring the campus experience to life through email, brochures, videos and websites, but physically being on campus provides a real preview of what it’s like to attend.

If you are able, plan a visit to get a feeling of what it will be like to be a college student.

What happens on a college visit?

While you can certainly show up on a college campus for a tour, it's recommended that you schedule a tour in advance. Doing so will allow you to customize your schedule and ensure you're assigned to a tour.

Normally, a student leader will be your guide, providing you the chance to learn from and ask questions of a student about their personal experience. You will likely be in a group of students and have behind the scenes access to classrooms, health facilities, residence halls and student centers.

When registering for a tour (or upon arrival) ask to see specific locations that interest you. You can often arrange additional tours of academic programs, and meet with students and faculty if you ask in advance.

And, please ask questions. While it can be nerve-wracking to ask questions in front of strangers, college tours provide a great opportunity to hear directly from university officials and students. Making your college decision is a big one and having as much information as possible is important.

How to visit Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona

With multiple campuses across Arizona, thousands of majors and nationally ranked academic programs, Arizona’s public universities offer access to a transformative, world-class college experience in our home state.

ASU, NAU and U of A offer in-person and virtual visit opportunities to help determine the best fit for your college years.

Visit ASU

Schedule a visit to tour one (or several) of ASU’s campuses including Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe, West Valley or Lake Havasu.

Visit NAU

Visit Flagstaff to tour NAU or take an online self-guided tour anytime if you want a quick taste of what it’s like on NAU’s campuses.

Visit U of A

Experience life as a Wildcat by taking an in-person or virtual tour of campus and discover the opportunities that await you.

When should you visit the colleges you are considering?

The short answer? Anytime. Whether you’re in middle school and curious about your hometown campus or in high school starting your college search, it’s never too early — or too late — to visit a college.

If possible, plan visits during your junior year or the summer before senior year. It’s one of the best ways to narrow down your list and get a real feel for where you can see yourself. Some students also wait until after they’re admitted and receive scholarship or financial aid offers before making their final visits. There’s no right or wrong approach — it’s all about what works best for you.

And if you can’t make it to campus in person, virtual tours are a great way to explore classrooms, residence halls, student spaces and more from anywhere.