Visit campuses casually

Overview

Summer is a great time to visit college campuses casually. No pressure, just exploration!

Why Visit Now?

Benefits

• Get a feel for college life
• Explore different types of campuses
• Start understanding your preferences
• Make college feel real and exciting

This Isn't Application Research

You're not evaluating — you're exploring. Keep it fun and low-pressure!

What to Visit

Types of Campuses to See

• Large university (20,000+ students)
• Medium university (5,000-20,000)
• Small liberal arts college (1,000-5,000)
• Urban campus
• Suburban campus
• Rural campus

California Options

• UC campuses (visit while on vacation)
• CSU campuses
• Private universities
• Community colleges

Making the Most of Visits

What to Notice

• Campus size and layout
• Buildings and facilities
• Student feel (when students are around)
• Surrounding area
• Can you picture yourself there?

Questions to Think About

• Does this feel too big? Too small?
• Urban or more campus-contained?
• What's the surrounding community like?
• What's your gut reaction?

Virtual Options

If you can't visit in person:

• YouTube campus tours
• Virtual tours on college websites
• Google Maps walking view
• Student vlogs

After Visits

Take Notes

• What you liked
• What you didn't
• How it compared to expectations
• Questions that came up

Share with Family

• Discuss what you observed
• Compare different campuses
• Talk about preferences

Encouraging Reminder

There's no pressure yet! This is just exploration. Enjoy discovering what's out there!