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Juniors, Now’s the Time to Schedule Your College Visits

Juniors, it’s time for you to get started on college visits.

Whether you’re thinking about knocking out one or two or hitting a series of colleges, here is your go-to guide for setting up a college visit. 

We’ll walk you through a steps to take before, during and after visits to help you find your perfect fit.

And if COVID-19 protocols are still underway, don’t miss our article about what to do when you can’t tour colleges in person .

What Can Juniors Do Right Now? 

Juniors can do a lot right now, including developing a checklist and other things you can put on the family calendar.

Step 1: Start talking.

That’s right. Sit down and have a conversation with your family.

What are you thinking you want to do for college? Do you think you want to go to a large school? A small school? What fits your personality and preferences?

Start talking with adults you trust about schools that make sense for your needs.

Step 2: Brainstorm.

Have no idea where to start? Start a brainstorming session where you write down your visions about what you think your college experience might be like.

Rather than throwing a dart at a map and jumping in the car, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions: 

• Do you see yourself going to a large or small school?
• Do you want a lot of personalized attention? 
• Are you looking for a more selective institution? 
• How far away from home do you want to live?
• When you envision college, what do you think of?

In other words, think broadly about your college visit choices, then think more narrowly about the colleges you’d like to visit. 

Put a premium on relationships when you make this list.

What kind of people do you want to meet? What type of individuals do you want to learn from?

Remember, college is about way more than pretty residence halls, beautiful buildings and other aesthetic things. It’s about the people who influence you along the way.

Step 3: Research at least one college.

Choose at least one college and do as much research as you can. Learn more about that particular school’s:

• Admission criteria
• Results — how many students go to graduate school, get a job after graduation, etc.
• School profile 
• Academics and selectivity: Are you looking for a serious academic environment? Would you rather go to a school that focuses on undergraduate teaching — or research? 
• Potential majors
• Housing information
• Extracurricular activities
• Athletics opportunities

After you narrow down some of the “big” things, like distance from home and general experience, then you can start thinking about things like major, requirements and more.

Does this college college or university you’ve researched fit the bill? If not, look for another one. If that one makes sense, move toward school as your first visit.

Step 4: Check the calendar.

Once you’ve honed in on your first college to visit, figure out what visit day fits into your schedule. Check your calendar and your family members’ calendars too. Remember, mom and dad likely have to drive you to your visit or coordinate flights. You need to plan the visit with your parents, and you might need to make sure your brothers’ and sisters’ schedules are open too. 

How to Set Up a College Visits

First of all, make sure you (the student!) call the schools where you’re interested in setting up a visit.

Your mom or dad should not make the call. It’s time to put some of those adulting skills into practice.

Step 1: Think through what you want to do on your visit. 

Who are the must-see people on your radar—the soccer coach, tutoring center, a financial aid advisor? It’s OK if you’re not sure. You can work through some of these questions when you make your phone call to the admissions office.

Step 2: Call the college or university’s admissions office. 

Don’t set up a visit online. Talk to an actual person.

Or, if you do set up a visit online, call and make sure the admissions office received your scheduled visit—and that it didn’t get lost in cyberspace.

Have a detailed conversation about what you’d like to do when you’re on the visit.

Step 3: Ask for a personal campus visit. 

Try to steer clear of group visit days. 

Naturally, you’re an individual and have specific interests and needs.

When you’re stuck on a group visit, no one student will have the same interests as you. You could get stuck touring the gym for 25 minutes of your hour-long tour (even if you’re not an athlete or hate the thought of a treadmill). Who wants that?

A personal campus visit ensures your visit is all about you and nobody else.

Step 5: Get ready! 

You don’t want to start a college visit without doing some preparation. You want to know as much as possible about the college you’re visiting before you visit. 

Simple. You don’t want to waste time learning stuff you already know. If you already know the basics, like the size of the college, majors available and costs, why spend time relearning stuff you already know? 

Plus, it brings camaraderie with the admission staff or chemistry professors when you say, “Yeah! And that biochemistry secondary major—that sounds cool.”

You’ll never believe how much people’s eyes light up when you know something about the college or university already.

What to Do During/After Visits

When you arrive at the admissions office, go to the campus visit coordinator’s desk and introduce yourself. That individual will help you get your day started in the right direction. 

While you’re on your visit, do your best to ask great questions. You want to think of questions before you visit and ask everyone questions. Get each person talking about the college or university you’re visiting. It’s best to get candid thoughts from each individual you talk to.

This may sound like a pain, but it’s a good idea to get all your thoughts together and take a minute or two to jot down all your initial reactions to the college you’ve just visited. Grab your phone and type in some notes on the card or plane ride home.

Believe it or not, it’s difficult to remember each individual school after your 10th college visit.

Now’s the Time!

Juniors, we’ve offered everything you need to know about how to schedule a college visit .

It’s a matter of sitting down with your family members or other trusted adults, pouring over Niche’s 2021 college rankings and making lists of what matters to you.  

It’s going to be a great time, so have fun with the process. 

Ready to Find Your Niche? Create an Account

Author: Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is the founder of College Money Tips and Money editor at Benzinga. She loves helping families navigate their finances and the college search process. Check out her essential timeline and checklist for the college search!

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At Niche, we know a college is more than its stats or buildings. We also know it can be hard to figure out a college’s vibe or how students feel about it from its website alone. Using our comprehensive college profiles and social media accounts, you can get a sense of what life at a college is really like. Here are three simple ways to do that.

In case you haven’t heard yet, Niche has an amazing new opportunity for high school seniors. Niche Direct Admissions is a program that allows participating colleges to accept students and offer scholarships based on their Niche Profile. That’s right — no application needed.

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College Visit Recommendations

University of pennsylvania, what to see on campus:, what to eat:, what to see around town:, princeton university, columbia university , columbia university, yale university, harvard university, brown university, northwestern university, university of chicago, stanford university, dartmouth college, new york university, university of north carolina , cornell university, university of california berkeley .

Embarking on your college journey is more than just hitting the books—it’s about immersing yourself in the vibrant culture, flavors, and experiences that make each campus unique. Once you have crafted your balanced college list and decided which schools you intend to visit , it’s time for the fun to commence—creating your itinerary for your campus visits!

As you visit the colleges on your list, exploring both the college and its surrounding restaurants, sights, and culture is crucial. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the school and its local community will help you in determining where you’ll feel most at home. As you savor local flavors, explore campus landmarks, and discover the town’s hidden gems, you’re not just creating memories—you’re gaining a deeper understanding of the environment that will shape the next four years of your educational journey.

Every college’s culture offers a unique blend of academics, student life, and local flare. Created using the first-hand knowledge of our Senior Mentors, Command Education’s Guide to College Visit Recommendations compiles the most important things to see and do both on campus and off, helping you make informed decisions about where you’ll thrive academically and personally in college.

UC Berkeley

University of North Carolina

• E Fisher Fine Arts Library

For students interested in Pol Sci/Pre-Law

Stop at Huntsman (students interested in Business/Wharton) and Van Pelt Library (main undergraduate library).

• E Visit the Penn Museum
• King’s Court English House
• Lauder College House
• Gregory & Stouffer

Note that Penn students are only permitted to live off campus during their junior and senior years, and most off-campus students live south of Market Street between 38th St. and 42nd St.

• E White Dog Cafe
• E Goldie at Franklin’s Table
• E Kfar Bakery
• E Surreal Creamery
• E Federal Donuts
• E Philadelphia Museum of Art
• E Eastern State Penitentiary
• E The Liberty Bell
• E Princeton Neuroscience Institute
• E Whig Hall

Outside the library is the East Pyne Courtyard, which served as a filming location for Oppenheimer.

Yeh College and New College West

• E Small World Coffee shop

An entirely student run coffee shop

• E Bent Spoon’s famous Banana Whip
• E Maruichi Japanese Market
• E Little Chef’s Pastry Shop
• E Walk down Prospect Ave.
• E Visit the small town on University Place/Witherspoon Ave.

The Starr East Asian Library Butler Library Avery Library

Where a majority of student-favorite restaurants are located.

• E Columbia Law School
• E Absolute Bagels
• E LaSalle Dumplings
• E Falafel on Broadway
• E Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery
• E Riverside Park

Political Science

Two newest dorms at Yale

Check out the staircase, famous for its walls covered in posters advertising events happening on campus. (It’s also reportedly where Hillary and Bill Clinton met!)

You can find Yale’s copy of the Gutenberg Bible on display in this library, which boasts stunning architecture and a world-renowned collection.

• E Sterling Memorial Library

The gallery houses famous works such as The Night Cafe by Van Gogh. Admission is free.

Lined with historic mansions that now house many humanities classes. The undergraduate Admissions Office can also be found on this street.

• E Old Campus
• E Harkness Tower
• E Grab a pizza from Sally’s, Pepe’s, or Modern

Serves farm-fresh, Connecticut made ice cream.

• E Yale Piedmont Museum
• E Lighthouse Point Park
• E East Rock Park
• E Visit the Law school

All the freshman dorms are those buildings around the yard.

Which is across the plaza (big white building that looks out of place from the rest of the architecture).

The big building next to the science center; it’s where freshmen have their meals.

Soph-Senior year you’ll be sorted into one of the 12 upperclassmen houses. The ones near H yard are Eliot House, Kirkland House, and Adams House.

It’ll be a huge part of undergrad life.

Every Harvard student knows this place. Best Mexican food you’ll find in the Square.

A popular place if you want a sit-down place serving good American food and cuts; lots of students ask their professors for meals here

Great Italian place lots of students will book to celebrate birthday dinners or special events.

Great vegetarian option! Located inside of the science center building.

Fast food burger place; quick to grab a meal before class or walking around the Square.

• E Annenberg Hall
• E Boston Museum of Fine Arts
• E Boston Common
• E Fenway Park
• E Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• E Quincy Market
• E JFK Library
• E Walk the Main Green

This location offers a particularly stunning view of the campus at night!

The original women’s college on Brown’s campus.

• E The Sciences Library
• E Carrie Tower
• E Manning Chapel
• E Find great Italian food in Federal Hill
• E Mike’s Calzones
• E East Side Pockets
• E Federal Hill neighborhood
• E Walk down Thayer Street
• E Waterplace Park
• E Roger Williams Park Botanical Center

The student center

• E Deering Library

Starting at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, then walk back up Sheridan road

• E Harper and Crerar libraries
• E Hallowed Grounds coffee shop
• E The Logan Center

The favorite “student spot” on campus.

• E Harold's Chicken
• E The many food trucks that frequent the Quad
• E Millennium Park
• E Rodin Sculpture Garden
• E Memorial Church
• E Hoover Tower
• E Ethel’s Fancy
• E A sporting event on campus

“Facebook Campus”

• E Palo Alto Baylands preserve
• E The Hewlett Packard Garage
• E Cantor Arts Center
• E Tower Room
• E Rauner Special Collections LIbrary
• E Periodicals Room
• E Tuk Tuk Thai
• E Lou’s Bakery
• E King Arthur Flour (KAF)
• E Dirt Cowboy Cafe
• E Umpleby’s
• E Go hiking on Gile Mountain Trail (easier) or Mount Cardigan (harder)
• E Walk around Occom Pond
• E Get your ping pong paddles to play some Dartmouth pong
• E Ski/snowboard at the Dartmouth Skiway

Ice cream and mini golf

• E Kimmel Hall
• E Bobst Library
• E Silver Center
• E Washington Square Park
• E Joe’s Pizza
• E Málà Project East Village

Hop into one of its many galleries!

McNally Jackson The Strand Bluestockings

• E See a show at one NYC’s many concert venues or on Broadway

The main campus green

• E The Old Well
• E The Arboretum
• E Wilson Library
• E The Gray Squirrel in Carrboro
• E The Spotted Dog
• E Carrburito’s

Student-run coffee shop on UNC’s campus.

• E Walk Franklin Street
• E Take a walk around Beebe Lake
• E Tour the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
• E Sage Chapel
• E Arts Quad
• E Risley Dining Room
• E Cornell Dairy Bar
• E Ithaca Bakery - Meadow Street
• E Moosewood
• E Monk’s on the Commons
• E Red’s Place
• E Hot trucks in Collegetown
• E Campanile
• E Doe Library
• E Lawrence Hall of Science
• E University of California Botanical Garden
• E Berkeley Art Museum

A Berkeley classic!

• E Gordo Taqueria
• E Cancun el Sabor
• E Chez Panisse Cafe
• E Watch the sunset at Indian Rock or the Lawrence Hall of Science
• E Explore Grizzly Peak
• E Visit Limantour or Stinson Beach in Marin
• E Golden Gate Bridge
• E Muir Woods

Both of these islands in the bay are accessible from Berkeley. Angel Island has wonderful hikes and views, while the iconic Alcatraz tour is a once in a lifetime experience.

If you want to extend your trip, consider spending a weekend in Napa or Sonoma county. Aside from the renowned wineries and natural beauty, there are wonderful little towns like Sea Ranch, Occidental, and Calistoga which offer a taste of the beauty of Northern California.

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Student Life

College-Visit Tips From a Campus Tour Guide

Get seven, student and parent tips to use on your next campus tour. our student contributor gives an inside look into what you should do, the questions to ask, and other things to look for during your visit..

Student Contributor, Allison Willrich

January 30, 2024

Tip #1 - Bring water and dress comfortably.

Tip #2 - prepare as many questions as you can..

• What is the campus community/culture like?
• What opportunities and experiences are unique to the school?
• What is their fondest memory of their college experience?
• What is something that surprised them about the college experience?
• Is there anything they wish they knew prior to attending the school?

Tip #3 - Research the college ahead of time and see what interests you.

Tip #4 - it's okay to let your parents "embarrass" you., tip #5 - see what other experiences the school has to offer., tip #6 - talk to the locals., tip #7 - reflect on your visit as soon as you leave the campus.

• Statistics that stood out to you
• Programs and opportunities that piqued your interest
• Emotions you felt both on campus and in the surrounding area

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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Articles

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.

by CampusCompare.com College Search Website

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Originally Posted: Dec 31, 2011

Venturing on one college visit after another may seem like a drag now, but campus visits can make all the difference in helping you make the right college choice. So strap on your walking shoes, hit the road, and check these 10 critical campus hotspots off your college visit to-do list.

1. Talk to students

This may be the most important part of your campus visits and an opportunity that too many college-bound students do not take advantage of. If you visit colleges while school is in session, you should make a point to approach a few students—in the cafeteria, at the library, or just while walking around campus—and ask them any questions you have or even just about their general experience at the school. You’ll get much more honest answers than you will from tour guides, and most students will be more than happy to stop and chat for a few minutes.

Related:  How to Overcome Anxiety and Talk to College Students on Campus Tours

2. Browse the bookstore

If you are the first child in your family to attend college, you should prepare to dissociate yourself from your parents upon entering the bookstore. As soon as mom or dad spies a price tag on a textbook, they may react with surprise, anger, disbelief, tears, or any combination of the above. After they’ve calmed down, reassure them that you already set up accounts on  Amazon ,  Textbooks.com , and  Half.com , and convince them that your prudence and frugality should earn you one of those nice college hoodies from the bookstore. Just don’t show them the receipt.

3. Visit the office of your academic department chair

If you have any inkling whatsoever about what your major in college might be, you should try to make an appointment to meet briefly with the department chair during your campus visit. The chairperson will be thrilled to meet a potential major, and you’ll get some valuable insight into the courses you’d take, professors you’d study under, and academic opportunities that your school and potential major will offer. Don’t hesitate to schedule several of these visits, especially if you’re unsure about your potential major.

4. Size up the gym and on-campus athletic facilities

Most colleges offer some sort of athletic facilities. In fact, sometimes those facilities are just as good as, if not better than, professional gyms! So if you’re interested in getting into or staying in shape, make sure your college has a state-of-the-art gym. And if you’re into  college athletics , the school’s on-campus fields and other facilities are also something you should visit. Also remember that games on campus can be a pretty big draw, and even if you’re not a huge sports fan, they double as a popular social event.

Related: The Best Ways to Make Your College Campus Visits More Fun

5. Locate the health center

If you’re lucky, you won’t spend much time in the campus health center. However, should you get sick or injured and are in need of anything from emergency care to DayQuil, it’s always reassuring to know you have access to medical care and technology.

6. Stop by the admission office

While you’re on your campus visit, why not put a face to your application? Make an appointment to meet with an admission counselor so that they can get to know you as more than a list of test scores and activities. This is your chance to show your personality, and you can even use the time to ask any questions you might still have about the school. Just be sure that you’re friendly, polite, and articulate, because a first impression is a lasting one.

7. Survey the classrooms

If you think you can ace college exams without ever going to class, think again. Not only do you need to go to class once in a while to make sure you’re up to speed with what’s going on with tests and homework, but a lot of smaller classes also base some of their grades on participation. Granted, you can miss class once in a while, but don’t forget that attendance is often mandatory. Make sure you like the classroom settings of the colleges you’re visiting. Are the classes big or small? Are classrooms flat or stadium-style? Is the technology adequate, or better yet, very advanced? Will you be a nameless face or someone your teacher will be able to interact with?

Related: Smart Questions to Ask Before, During, and After College Visits

8. Eat at the dining hall

You generally won’t have the time or space to prepare yourself a nice lunch or dinner , so the dining hall will be the simplest and most efficient way to eat on campus. The average college student eats at the cafeteria twice a day; it’s possible you'll go less often, but it’s likely you'll go even more than that, whether for a snack or late-night meal. Check for cleanliness, the variety of quality foods, and accessibility (and, you know, taste!). If the campus is big, it may have multiple dining halls, so make sure you see them all.

9. Drop by the dorms

When you’re not in the classroom or grabbing a bite in the cafeteria, there is a pretty good chance you’ll be in your dorm room. While you’re visiting colleges, ask to see the freshman dorms and upperclassman dorms as well. Freshman dorms will almost always be the least impressive digs on campus, but those double and triple shared rooms are part of the freshman experience! That being said, you want to make sure you’ll be moving on up as you progress in class years. Upperclassmen often have access to suite or apartment-style housing.

10. Hang out on the quad

You can’t make friends holed up in your dorm room. That’s why colleges and universities offer quads and other comparable hangout spots. This could be as simple as a nice lawn to read on or an open area to play football or Frisbee. And rest assured, even urban schools have common campus hangouts! If such an area doesn’t exist—or if it does and there’s nobody there—this might be a college you want to rethink because making friends freshman year could be more difficult. You’ll be surprised how important little things like playing catch with your buddies in between classes will factor into your enjoyment of school.

Related:  Ultimate Campus Visit Checklist: Where to Go and Questions to Ask

Campus visits are a great way to get to know a school better before making the big decision to apply—or the even bigger decision to attend. It gives you a feel for what life will really be like living on campus and if that's the kind of atmosphere for you to thrive in.

You can check out the original article at  CampusCompare.com  or find more advice for school tours in our Campus Visits section. 

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Whitworth University

Spokane, WA

Samford University

Birmingham, AL

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, RI

Washington State University

Pullman, WA

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, MI

The University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

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Carrollton, GA

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Beaver Falls, PA

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Baltimore, MD

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Boca Raton, FL

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Waynesburg, PA

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Lakeland, FL

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY

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Loretto, PA

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12 February 2015

Suggested College Tour Itineraries

Here are some suggestions for schools to visit, grouped by region, to get you rolling. Each list includes 5-6 schools that offer a range of sizes, settings and selectivity to help imagine the possibilities.  We also suggest others worth considering and why.  

Cities currently covered include Boston, New York City, Syracuse, Washington DC, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

Click on the Continue Reading link below to see our suggestions, or try our College Tour Planner to build your own custom campus tour itinerary.

Suggested starting point

• Boston College
• Northeastern
• Boston University

These popular Boston area schools represent a good mix of size, setting and admissions selectivity.  All are easily accessed via public transportation, and given their relative proximity you can squeeze in two campus visits a day if necessary.  

For a taste of smaller schools in more rural locations, consider driving to western Massachusetts to visit Amherst , Williams , Hampshire College , Smith or UMass Amherst .  If you're interested in engineering, check out Olin , UMass Lowell and WPI , and if you're interested in entrepreneurship visit Babson .  

• Sarah Lawrence

Though we've contained the list to schools in NYC, it's easy to venture out into upstate NY, Connecticut, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania if you're game.  If you're interested in visiting Ivy League schools, both Yale and Princeton are within relatively easy reach by car, bus or train. Cornell is four hours away, but if you head up that way you can also visit Colgate and Hamilton to give you a taste of small, medium and large schools in rural settings.  

• Syracuse University
• Ithaca College
• Hobart and William Smith

The schools on this list offer a great mix of size, setting and selectivity. If environmental science and forestry are your thing, check out SUNY ESF , and if you have time to venture to Rochester, check out the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology .

Washington DC

• American University
• George Washington
• Johns Hopkins
• University of Richmond
• University of Virginia

The schools on this list are medium to large schools in suburban and urban settings. Time permitting, consider also checking out William & Mary , Virginia Tech and Washington and Lee .  

• University of Chicago
• Northwestern
• University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
• University of Wisconsin

These schools are all classic medium-large universities. For a smaller school experience, check out the Colleges that Change Lives in the area, such as Knox , Beloit , Wheaton , Wabash , Kalamazoo and Cornell College .  

• Case Western
• Carnegie Mellon
• University of Michigan

These schools provide a broad mix of sizes and settings. Kenyon and Oberlin exude a small school, small town feel, Ohio state and Michigan a classic Big Ten college town feel, and Case Western and Carnegie Mellon a more urban feel.

San Francisco

• UC Berkeley
• UC Santa Cruz
• University of San Francisco
• Santa Clara University

Most of the San Francisco Bay area schools tend to be larger in size, but offer great variety in terms of locale/setting. Three popular University of California campuses are within two hours: the more rural, bicycle-friendly Davis, the urban, progressive Berkeley, and the earthy-crunchy Santa Cruz.  

Los Angeles

• Claremont Colleges
• UC San Diego

These popular Southern California schools offer a good mix of size, setting and selectivity. You'll need a car to see them all, but in certain situations it's still very possible to squeeze in two campus visits a day.  The Claremont Colleges— Pomona , Claremont McKenna , Pitzer , Harvey Mudd and Scripps —are particularly interesting to visit because of their setup as a consortium with distinct campuses but shared classes.

If you're interested in STEM fields, be sure to check out Caltech and Harvey Mudd. If film or animation are your thing, check out Chapman University , Cal Arts and Loyola Marymount in addition to USC and UCLA.

• Tags: American , Amherst , Babson , Beloit , Boston College , Boston University , CalArts , Carnegie Mellon , Case Western , Chapman , Claremont McKenna , Colgate , Columbia , Cornell , Cornell College , Fordham , George Washington , Georgetown , Hamilton , Hampshire , Harvard , Harvey Mudd , Hobart and William Smith , Ithaca , Johns Hopkins , Kalamazoo , Kenyon , Knox , Loyola Marymount , Michigan , MIT , Northeastern , Northwestern , Notre Dame , NYU , Oberlin , Occidental , Ohio State , Olin , Pepperdine , Pitzer , Pomona , Princeton , Purdue , Rochester , Rochester Institute of Technology , Santa Clara , Sarah Lawrence , Scripps , Smith , Stanford , Syracuse , Tufts , UC Berkeley , UC Davis , UC San Diego , UC Santa Cruz , UCLA , UMass Amherst , UMass Lowell , University of Chicago , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , University of Richmond , University of San Francisco , University of Virginia , USC , Virginia Tech , Wabash , Washington and Lee , Wheaton - IL , William & Mary , Williams , Wisconsin , WPI , Yale , Yeshiva

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College Visits

A college visit is a must when narrowing down your college list. Visiting a college campus is the only way to make sure a college feels right for you.

Many colleges offer free overnight stays in the residence halls and food in the dining hall at the campus. However, some colleges have gone even farther to help students with their visit to campus

• College Fly-In Programs – These programs are competitive visit programs. There are limited spaces available and students must apply to participate in the program.
• Colleges That Offer Travel Reimbursement – List of colleges that offer travel reimbursement for students who visit campus.
• Colleges That Offer Visit Scholarships – List of colleges that offer a visit scholarship or grant for students who visit campus. Students must enroll at the institution to receive the scholarship.

College visits are my favorite part of the college admissions process. As a former admissions officer, I spent a lot of time planning college visits and hosting prospective students on campus. Because of my extensive experience with college visits on college campuses, I have written a lot of articles on the college visit. Check out these articles for tips on making the most of the college visit.

• 18 Tips to Make the Most of Your College Visit
• 30 Questions to Ask Current Students
• 7 Benefits of Staying Overnight When Visiting Colleges
• How to Make College Visits Less Expensive
• College Visit: Open House or Individual Visit? 
• College Visit Tip: Go Off Course and Script
• 4 Tips for Summer College Visits

Don’t forget the surrounding community when visiting a college campus. When you become a college student at a campus, you will visit the community surrounding your campus on a regular basis! This is why it is important to check out the local area during your college visits. College Scoops have put together some great recommendations for local eateries and other points of interest near 120+ college campuses. If you’re visiting one of the colleges on their list, check out their recommendations.

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Best College Road Trip & On-Campus Itinerary Planning

Custom College Visits’ services are tailored to your family’s needs, whether you’re visiting colleges and universities close to home, across the country or overseas.

All itineraries are planned personally by Janice Caine, an experienced travel and meeting planner, and founder of Custom College Visits. Please feel free to schedule a time for a complimentary parent-to-parent conversation with someone who planned college tours for her own kids and who’s done this hundreds of times for other families.

Custom College Visits is now planning multi-day, multi-campus visits for summer and fall 2024.

For more information please see our FAQs and/or reach out to us .

On-Campus Arrangements

At Custom College Visits, we believe that immersive college visits are an important part of a successful college search. Our proven process ensures that your virtual and in-person visits will run smoothly.

Arrangements may include:

• Appointments with faculty members or department advisors
• Meet-ups with current students
• Arrangements for class visits**
• Appointments with athletic coaches, study abroad staff, academic resources advisors etc
• Visits to facilities not included on group tours including theatre facilities, sports facilities and more*
• Reservations for group information sessions and student-led tours
• Scheduling of individual student interviews
• Scheduling of overnight stays on campus (for students only)**

*Arrangements are subject to your travel/visit dates and availability at each college or university

**arrangements available for in-person visits only, travel & lodging arrangements.

Together with our travel partner, Alacrity Travel & Lifestyle™, Custom College Visits can provide multiple travel options based on customized research, and recommendations and arrangements that fit your travel style and specific requests. Travel arrangements may include:

• Airline reservations
• Hotel arrangements
• Airport and hotel transfers
• Train tickets/reservations
• Sightseeing, dining and entertainment recommendations and arrangements **

**   Please note that Custom College Visits’ planning fees do not include costs for: transportation, lodging, food, fees, taxes, and incidentals.

Itinerary planning.

Your itinerary will be customized to meet your specific interests and requests:

• Research and handle logistics for each college, allowing ample time at each campus
• Determine ideal campus visit days
• Establish college tour sequence
• Identify the most convenient means of travel *
• College visit planning tools
• Provide college visit planning tools
• Provide detailed, day-by-day itinerary

* Pertains to in-person visits only

College list development.

For many families, this is the first, very important step. If your teen needs assistance, Janice can help them to:

• Pinpoint their individual college criteria by exploring together their high school background and extracurricular activities, academic goals, and other personal interests
• Research and discuss the colleges that meet these criteria and then build a primary list of reach, target, and likely schools.
• Based on your preferred dates, college calendars, priority schools, location and other variables, narrow down the list and build a workable college visit itinerary. 

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We had a wonderful experience with Janice and Custom College visits. With Janice’s experience, attention to detail and understanding of our son’s strengths and weaknesses she led us through this confusing time with care and support. Highly recommended.

I really thought your custom college visits business would be so useful to parents of college bound kids, especially during the pandemic.

The college visits were also a lot of fun for us as a family and very informative on so many levels. More importantly, Janice helped make the college selection process manageable, not so daunting after all, and we felt no stone was left unturned in this important decision!

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Here's Exactly What to Wear on Your College Visit or Tour

A college tour is one of the best opportunities you have to learn about what a campus is really like. Reading promotional material, or even student blogs, isn't the same as seeing and experiencing it for yourself, but, like any other aspect of applying to college, you need to make sure you're prepared for a college visit—and that means wearing the right outfit!

Most of the time, dressing for a college tour is a casual affair. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the best way to go about it—comfort and classiness are key .

This guide will walk you through the best way to dress for many different college visit scenarios . A bit of planning will help you have the best possible experience, as well as prepare you for interviews, auditions, and just exploring your dream campus. Read on to find out how!

What to Wear to a College Visit

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when considering what to wear to a college visit is that, in most cases, a college tour is for you to see the college, not for the college to see you .

For the most part, you can dress casually. But there are special considerations if you won’t just be touring the college, so keep that in mind as you’re planning your outfit.

What to Wear on a College Visit If You’re Just Walking Around Campus on Your Own

If you’re not on a guided tour and are just checking out the campus, you can wear pretty much whatever you want, within reason . It might look weird if you’re strolling through campus in a suit—whether three-piece or bathing—but if you’re just there as a visitor, you’re on your own.

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re on a Guided Tour

If you’re on a guided tour, it’s absolutely okay to be a little casual. You don't need to be impressive, though you should aim for comfort and self-confidence . 

Comfortable shoes are a must, though maybe choose something nicer than your rattiest pair of sneakers . Whatever shoes you wear should be broken in so you don't have to deal with pinching and blisters midway through the day. If your feet are hurting, you're less likely to be paying attention to the tour!

Jeans are fine, as are t-shirts, but be wary of anything with a slogan or image that might be offensive. Even if a curse word or scantily clad person doesn't bother you, it's probably not the right fit for your first impression!

You don’t have to dress fancy, but do put in a little bit of effort. Present your best self—the self you’d want people to see as you venture off to college .

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re Meeting With a Professor

Many students take advantage of being on campus to schedule appointments with advisers or professors in their field of study. If you’ve chosen to do so, it’s a smart idea to dress it up a little bit. Dress clothes are unnecessary, but do dress a little nicer than you would for just a tour .

Polished shoes are a good choice, but you still want them to be comfortable. If they’re going to pinch as you walk around campus, you may want to go more casual with a nice boat shoe, loafer, or boot. Whatever you choose, be sure that your shoes are broken in.

Dark, nice jeans are appropriate for a meeting with a professor. You could also opt for corduroys or khakis— whatever is going to make you feel most comfortable and confident .

A meeting with a professor is more professional than a tour, but not as professional as a college interview . Instead of a t-shirt, go for something a little classier—a  button-up shirt or blouse is always a good choice. You don’t need to reach for a blazer, but if it makes you feel good, do it!

Most importantly, come prepared with questions and a good attitude . This is your chance to find out more about the school you want to attend, and that’s going to matter far more than looking like a model.

What to Wear to a College Visit If You Have an Interview

Business casual is your go-to for dressing for a college interview . You want to look both confident and professional, so spend a little more time on choosing your shirt and pants than you might for just a guided tour or meeting with a professor.

If you’re walking around campus as well as doing an interview, however, you’re going to want to be sure your shoes are going to hold up to lots of walking as well as looking sharp . Loafers may be a better choice than a dress shoe, unless you’re absolutely certain you’ve broken in the dress shoes and they’re still going to be comfortable after an hour or two.

Opt for a skirt, khakis, corduroy pants, or similar, paired with a button-up shirt or blouse. Dresses are fine, provided you cover your shoulders with a sweater or blazer. Keep your skirt length to around your knees (especially if you’re walking around!), but don’t worry about pantyhose or tights if they’re not comfortable or seasonally appropriate.

Choose an outfit that's right for the season and climate . Layer your clothes if you're touring in the fall or winter so you'll be presentable during your interview, but stay warm enough outside. In the spring and summer, wear light, breathable fabrics so you're not overheating outside—you don't want to show up for your interview all red-faced and sweaty.

If you’re doing an interview on top of taking a tour, consider bringing a change of clothes . You want to be at your best during the interview, so changing into a fresh set of clothes might be your best option, if possible. If not, see if you can schedule your interview for before the tour—that way, you’re not already tired and disheveled from a day of wandering.

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re Auditioning

Business casual is a good baseline, but, depending on what you’re auditioning for, you might make some additional tweaks to your clothes .

For example, what would a professional musician wear? How about an actor attending an audition? What would you wear to a gallery opening (though don’t get too fancy!)?  Don’t overdo it, but do base your outfit choice on what makes sense for your field.

Comfortable shoes are still an absolute must, as you may be standing during your audition as well as walking around campus.

Choose an outfit that suits the weather—don’t wear a sweater for a summer campus tour in California—or add layers that you can remove when you’re done auditioning so you don’t overheat. The reverse is true, as well; bring a warm coat and gloves if necessary.

If walking around in your audition outfit will be too uncomfortable, consider bringing a change of clothes. Though you may have to carry a change of clothes, it’s far better to be comfortable and confident for your interview, and simply comfortable for the tour !

How to Pick What to Wear on a College Tour

What outfit you should wear depends in part on what you’re doing. Unless you’ll be doing an interview or audition, don’t rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe .

Try on lots of combinations and try to find what makes you feel good about yourself as well as comfortable. Again, you’re going to be focused on learning more about the campus, not on impressing your guide . Put in effort, but don’t overdo it.

It can’t be overstated: you’re going to be walking a lot , so wear comfortable, broken-in shoes.

Bring a bag, whether it’s a nice messenger bag or a clean, classy backpack. You’re going to be given lots of information, pamphlets, and so on, and having a place to put it will make walking around much easier. A bag can also hold a water bottle, snacks, and a notebook, which you can use to write down questions and notes you might have while touring.

Don’t worry too much about your outfit . You’ll be part of a group—unless you’re interviewing or auditioning, your main concern should be what you’re going to learn from the visit. Look clean and confident and you’ll have everything you need.

Sample Outfits For a College Tour

With clothes, seeing is easier than reading. Here are a few sample outfits (including some that won't work) to give you the fashion inspiration you need to plan your college tour !

You don’t have to get fancy, but look at how confident and comfortable she looks . That’s the kind of air you want to strive for, whatever that means to you in terms of clothes!

These looks are great if you’re doing something a little more formal, such as an audition, interview, or meeting with a professor. Don’t feel like you have to do the whole suit and tie, but notice how each outfit looks tidy and well put-together . Pay special attention to the shoes, too—they’re all different styles, but each is great for a business casual setting.

This outfit definitely suits the model’s unique style. In summer, these short sleeves and sunglasses are perfect. It’s okay to be unique, as long as it makes you comfortable .

This look is extremely simple and casual, and also perfect for a college tour . A clean t-shirt, a favorite pair of pants, and tidy hair are all it takes.

While great for going to the beach, this look isn’t the best for a college setting. It’s a little too attention-grabby; remember, you’re there to learn about the school, not to stand out . The combination of the shirt's low-cut sides and bright pattern are a bit much, especially with the razor blade necklace and sunglasses. The print would be acceptable on a t-shirt, by try to strive for a style that’s understated rather than loud.

Don’t feel like you can’t be your quirky self on a college visit, but those shoes are a definite no with how much walking you’ll be doing . Again, don’t worry about standing out—you’re not at a college visit to make a big splash, but rather to learn more about the place you could be living in for four or more years. If this is your everyday wear, by all means, go for it, but be sure you’re feeling comfortable and confident.

How to Make the Most of Your College Visit

Now that your outfit is settled, you can focus on the important stuff: getting as much as you can out of your college visit .

Come prepared with questions you'd like answered , including questions for current students, academic advisers, and admissions officers. You may have the opportunity to ask them, and it's better to be overprepared than underprepared ! 

If there's anything in particular you want to see, leave a little time during your visit to check it out in case it's not part of the tour . You can always ask your guide if it's okay to visit the library, for example, or to see the gym, art museum, or football field. Though you may not be able to get into all of them, there's no harm in asking! Looking at a map and list of facilities will help you plan what you want to see ahead of time.

Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations on your tour, either. Stopping by a local restaurant recommended by a student is a great way to get a sense of what student life is like. See what the area has to offer besides your future school !

What's Next?

Touring campus is just one part of the college application process . This complete guide to college applications will help you plan your application step by step!

There are over 5,000 colleges in the United States—how can you possibly decide which ones you should apply to? Using a college finder tool can help you sort through your options and find your ideal school without having to tour every single campus.

Once you've found a bunch of schools that sound good, you then have to figure out which ones to apply to. This guide will help you narrow down your list to the essentials —safeties, matches, and reach school.

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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When to Visit Colleges

Event: for parents: how to plan a college visit, how to schedule your campus visits.

Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps in choosing a college. It’s best to visit colleges before your applications are due. That way, you can be confident you'd be happy at any college you're applying to.

It's also best to go when the college is in session. You'll see the campus when classes are meeting and day-to-day activities are in full swing.

How to Pick a Date

Here are some guidelines on when to visit. Plan your visit well ahead of time. That way you can make sure you see what you need to see and meet with the people who can tell you what you need to know.

During the Week

Mondays through Thursdays are ideal for visits because you can get a good idea of what campus life is like. Visiting on a Friday may not be as practical. Students, faculty, and staff might be busy with social activities starting Friday afternoon.

High school holidays that fall on Mondays are often perfect opportunities for making college visits. Many colleges are in session on these days─and you won't be missing any of your high school classes.

The Best Seasons

The spring of your junior year is a good time if you've already researched colleges. Spring break is also good if you play fall sports or are considering applying under early action or early decision plans, which usually have application deadlines in November of your senior year.

Early fall is also a good time for seniors to visit. That timing can help seniors narrow their college lists.

After You've Been Accepted

Colleges where you've been accepted might invite you to spend a few days on campus before the May 1 reply date. Many schools do this to encourage students they've accepted to enroll. This is an excellent opportunity to make in-depth comparisons between the colleges that have accepted you. If possible, visit with current students who attended your high school.

However, if you're waiting to visit colleges after you've received acceptance letters, remember that you may have only a few weeks to visit and decide. Most colleges mail acceptance letters in April and expect a reply by May 1.

When Not to Go

Check specific dates with each college so you don't arrive when the campus is deserted. You can call the college or look on its website for the academic calendar to find out when breaks, reading periods, and exam periods are scheduled.

Colleges are not in session during:

• Thanksgiving weekend
• Christmas week
• Winter and spring breaks
• Summer, unless there is a summer session

College classes don’t meet during:

• Reading period
• Saturdays and Sundays

The admission office may be closed to visitors at certain times.  For example, admission officers may be too busy to meet with you in May and April — that’s when they’re reviewing applications. Check with the college.

Adapted from   Campus Visits and College Interviews   by Zola Dincin Schneider.

When is the best time to visit colleges?

The best time to visit colleges depends on individual preferences, but typically, spring and fall are popular seasons for campus visits. In spring, you can witness campuses come to life with blooming flowers and vibrant energy. At the same time, fall offers the opportunity to experience the start of a new academic year and the excitement of campus activities. By choosing these seasons, prospective students can immerse themselves in the college atmosphere and gain valuable insights into campus life.

What’s the best time to schedule an individual campus visit?

Schedule an individual campus visit during weekdays when classes are in session, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the campus atmosphere and get a firsthand experience of student life. Interacting with current students, attending classes, and exploring campus facilities during these times can provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about the college.

How many college visits should I make?

The number of college visits can vary based on individual circumstances, such as the number of colleges you're considering and your availability. However, you’ll want to visit a handful of colleges that align with your interests and goals. This can help you make a well-informed decision about your future education.

At what grade level should I start visiting colleges?

Generally, it’s recommended to start visiting colleges during your junior or senior year of high school. By then you should have a clearer idea of your interests and goals. The college visits will be more purposeful and allow you to assess how well each college aligns with your academic and personal goals.

Related Articles

Related topics.

Exploring Fly-In Programs and Visit Experiences

Fly-in programs offer a unique opportunity for prospective students to experience campus life firsthand. These programs, typically sponsored by the institution, are designed to provide an immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional campus tour. They often are for students from underrepresented backgrounds, first-generation college students, or those who may not be able to afford a visit to campus on their own.

What Are Fly-In Programs?

Fly-in programs are short, often overnight, visits to a college or university that are fully funded by the institution. These programs cover travel expenses, lodging, meals, and sometimes even provide a stipend for extra costs. The goal of these programs is to give prospective students a comprehensive view of the academic, social, and cultural environment of that college or university.

The Benefits of Fly-In Programs

There are a variety benefits to participating in a fly-in program. Firstly, students get the opportunity to get an immersive college-like experience. They offer students a place to experience the campus atmosphere, attend classes, meet current student and faculty, and participate in various activities. This experience can help students in the future to make an informed decision about whether that college or university is a good fit.

Personal Experience : Fly-in programs offer students a place to experience the campus atmosphere, attend classes, meet current student and faculty, and participate in various activities. This experience can help students in the future to make an informed decision about whether that college or university is a good fit.

Access and Opportunity : For many students, especially those from low-income families or rural areas, visiting a college campus can be financially challenging. Fly-in programs remove this barrier by covering the costs associated with the visit.

Support and Resources : Fly-in programs often include application and financial aid workshops and information sessions to help prepare you for the college application process. This can be particularly beneficial for first-generation college students who may not have access to this information elsewhere.

Building Connections : Participants of these programs have the chance to meet other prospective students, current students, and faculty. These connections are not only helpful throughout the application process but can be beneficial as you start your college journey.

How to Apply for Fly-In Programs

The application process for fly-in programs varies by institution but generally includes an application, essay, transcripts and recommendations, as well as financial information. All of this information is helpful to institutions to determine the students that are the best fit for the program. But remember, even if you aren’t selected for a fly-in program doesn’t mean that you aren’t a good fit to apply to that college or university when the time comes.

Coalition Members and their Fly-In Programs

Expanding college access to communities that have been historically under-represented in higher education is a shared goal among Coalition schools. Below, check out some of our member schools and their fly-in and virtual* access-focused visit programs.

No Deadline

Mount Marty University (South Dakota) - Fly-In Program : Year-round

August Deadline

Amherst College (Massachusetts) - Access to Amherst (A2A) : Sept. 28-30

Babson College (Massachusetts) - Access Babson : Oct. 6-7

Barnard College (New York) - Barnard Bound *: mid Sept. to end Oct.

Bates College (Maine) - Prologue to Bates : Oct. 13-15

Bowdoin College (Maine) - Explore Bowdoin : Sept. 19-21 or Oct. 24-26

Bucknell University (Pennsylvania) - Journey to Bucknell : Oct. 3-5 or Oct. 24-26

CalTech (California) - CalTech Up Close : Oct. 12-15

Claremont McKenna College (California) - CMC Fall Preview: Oct. 6-8

Colorado College (Colorado) - Experience Colorado College : Oct. 12-14

Davidson College (North Carolina) - Access Davidson : Sept. 15-17

Emory University (Georgia) - Emory LEADS Experience : Oct. 17-19

Haverford College (Pennsylvania) - Have-A-Look : Oct. 27-29

Pomona College (California) - Perspectives on Pomona (POP) : Oct. 6-8

Washington and Lee University (Virginia) - DIVE at W&L : Sept. 22-24 or Sept 29-Oct. 1

Wesleyan University (Connecticut) - WesExplore : Oct. 13-14 or Nov. 10-11

Williams College (Massachusetts) - Window on Williams (WOW) : Oct. 6-8

September Deadline

Case Western Reserve University (Ohio) - Diversity Overnight : Oct. 13-14 or Nov. 10-11

College of the Holy Cross (Massachusetts) - Perspectives Day Program : Sept. 29

Columbia University (New York) - Engineering Preview : Oct. 13-15

Columbia University (New York) - Small-Town and Rural Students (STARS) : Oct. 19-21

Denison University (Ohio) - Dialogue with Denison : Oct. 27-29

Hamilton College (New York) - Home at Hamilton : Oct. 6-7

Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) - Diverse Achievers Program : 2024 dates coming soon

Miami University (Ohio) - Bridges Program : Oct. 20-21, Nov. 3-4, Nov. 10-11 or Nov. 17-18

Middlebury College (Vermont) - Discover Middlebury : Oct. 20-22

Oberlin College (Ohio) - Oberlin Overnight : Oct. 10-12 or Nov. 7-9

Olin College of Engineering (Massachusetts) - Olin MIX & Mingle Fly-In : Nov. 10-11

Pomona College (California) - Perspectives on Pomona (POP) *: Oct. 24 and 26

Smith College (Massachusetts) - Women of Distinction Program : Oct. 18-19 or Nov. 8-9

Union College (New York) - Getting to Know Union : Oct. 13-14

University of Vermont (Vermont) - Discovering UVM : Oct. 22-24 or Nov. 5-7

Wellesley College (Massachusetts) - VOICE : Sept. 28-29

October Deadline

College of the Holy Cross (Massachusetts) - Perspectives Overnight Program : Nov. 9-11

Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts) - Mosaic 2024 : Sept. 28-30 or Nov. 2-4

Northwestern University (Illinois) - Exploring Northwestern : Oct. 13

University of Rochester (New York) - Multicultural Visitation Program (MVP) : Nov. 7-9

November Deadline

Reed College (Oregon)- Senior Scholars : Virtual portion* in Nov./Dec. with visit opportunity in March/April.

May Deadline

Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri) - WashU Preview : Check back for 2025 dates

June Deadline

University of Michigan (Michigan) - All-Access Weekend : Check back for 2025 dates

University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania) - Penn Early Exploration Program (PEEP) *: Check back for 2025 dates

July Deadline

Carleton College (Minnesota) - Taste of Carleton : Check back for 2025 dates

Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania) - Discover Swarthmore : September and October 2025

Tufts University (Massachusetts) - Voices of Tufts : October 2025 with virtual option*

Yale University (Connecticut) - Yale in MOHtion : Oct. 4-6

February Deadline

Williamette University (Oregon) - Access to Excellence : March 14-15, April 4-5 or April 18-19 2025

March Deadline

Reed College (Oregon) - Junior Scholars *: Check back for 2025 dates

Updated: August 15, 2024

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Hometown Grants

Get up to $50,000 to bring your community project idea to life.

We’re investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Together, we can help upgrade tech at your local library, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and so much more.

What to know about Hometown Grants.

What kinds of projects will t-mobile fund.

We’ll help fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.

What is needed to apply for a grant?

T-Mobile awards up to $50,000 for shovel-ready projects. Applicant’s proposal must include plans, budget, timeline, anticipated impact, and up to five letters of support.

Who can request a grant?

Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000 can apply.

“The process was simple and straightforward, and our interactions with T-Mobile staff were very pleasant. These funds have made a real difference in our community!”

Matt Wechtel – Chair of the Madison County NC Commissioners – Marshall, NC

Apply for a Hometown Grant for your town.

We award 25 grants each quarter to small towns just like yours. Let us know what project you’d like funding for.

A colorful mural created by community members in Murray, KY.

Here's how to apply:

Step 1: Click here (or click the “Apply now” button below) to create an account with our partner, Main Street America™. Step 2: You’ll be taken to an application page with detailed steps, drop-down menus, fillable forms, and places to upload documents. Hometown Grants are intended for “shovel-ready projects”. Information required for your application includes: • Project plan proposal with a detailed budget and timeline • Up to 5 letters of support from stakeholders in the community • Examples of in-kind donation possibilities/additional funding to cover the remainder of the project • Details on permits needed or already obtained Step 3: After submitting your proposal, you’ll get a confirmation email that your application was received. Within 60 days of the application window closing, every applicant will be notified via email whether their project proposal is a winner.

Winners will also receive a call to begin the funding and planning process with T-Mobile and our partners.

Check out how Los Fresnos, TX used its Hometown Grant.

By building a stage at the rodeo grounds, they brought live music to the community and laid the groundwork for more affordable local events.

"Our community is sincerely grateful to T-Mobile for providing the funds for this incredibly impactful project, that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to make happen."

Shawnda Rooney, Economic Development Director and Project Lead – Guthrie, OK

Our nonprofit partner

T-Mobile is proud to partner with Main Street America on our grant selection panel.

T-Mobile partners with Main Street America to administer the grant program and assess applications based on their level of detail, community impact, feasibility, and other considerations. Learn about Main Street America’s  work to advance shared prosperity, create resilient economies, and improve quality of life here.

Got Questions about Hometown Grants?

What is the t-mobile hometown grants program.

T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million through 2026 to support small towns, villages, and territories across America by funding community projects.

The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding.

Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to: adaptive uses of older and historic buildings into community gathering spaces, improvements to outdoor parks or trails, and technology projects for the public library.

Funds may not be used for: engineering and architectural plans or fees, salaries or annual operating expenses, or reimbursement for projects that are already completed.

How does the T-Mobile Hometown Grants program work?

• You can submit an application at https://www. t-mobile .com/HometownGrants
• Small towns with populations less than 50,000 are eligible to apply
• Recipients are selected and awarded on a quarterly basis
• Grants are up to $50K per town
• Selected winners will provide status updates on their projects at 6 and 12 months
• Plans must be able to be executed within 12 months of receiving funds

Who can request a grant?

We are looking for elected officials, town managers and employees, tribal leaders, or non-profit organizations to submit a proposal for their project using the Hometown Grants application. The project must be located in towns with less than 50,000 people and should provide a community benefit where it might otherwise be difficult to secure funding.

What should I submit during the application process?

A full proposal should be three (3) to five (5) pages:

• Describe the scope of work to be completed using the requested funds. Shovel-ready plans including site maps, architectural drawings, and photos may be included.
• You will be asked to describe the need, how this grant will help the community overcome a challenge, and who specifically will benefit from this project.
• Explain how impact will be measured, demonstrating how the project will lead to the anticipated result/change.
• Outline the budget. If the full project budget exceeds $50,000, please describe remaining funding sources. T-Mobile funds must be used, and work completed, within 12 months of award. Please explain exactly what T-Mobile ’s grant will cover. Matching funds are not required.
• To ensure timelines are met, you need to provide details on permits needed/obtained, if applicable. Plus, list additional businesses or partners to be contracted for the work.
• Up to five letters of support from local government and/or community organizations, partners or members, demonstrating community alignment, engagement, and consensus for the project.

What are key submission deadlines?

Applications will be open on a quarterly basis with the following schedule:

• Spring: Applications open January–March
• Summer: Applications open April–June
• Fall: Applications open July–September
• Winter: Applications open October–December

The portal will close on the last day of each quarter and reopen for the new quarter on the first of the month.

All Hometown Grants applications will be notified 30–60 days after the end of each quarter on the status of the submission. 

How are towns selected?

T-Mobile partners with SmartGrowth America  and  Main Street America  on our grant selection panel. Both trusted nonprofit organizations have deep expertise in building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. Together, we determine the grant recipients based on the details and fullness of the submission, scored against the following criteria:

• Community need: The proposed project should fill a demonstrated need in the community. This grant funding is intended for shovel-ready projects, or portions of shovel-ready projects that would not otherwise be possible to implement through municipal funding. Proposal and letters of support should demonstrate strong community support for the project.
• Community impact:  The project should connect the community in meaningful and innovative ways.
• Partners, engagement, and resources leveraged for the project: Strong applications actively involve local organizations by incorporating them into the planning and execution processes and engaging the community in activating the project site. Letters of support should come from a variety of stakeholders within the community.
• Feasibility: If selected, y ou should be able to complete your project within your budget and plan and within 12 months of receiving funding.
• Alignment with T-Mobile 's small town strategy: We are committed to be a force for good—empowering more people with essential, digital connections, championing equitable opportunities for all, and driving towards a more sustainable future.

How will winners be notified?

Grant recipients will be contacted directly by a T-Mobile representative of their acceptance or denial within 60 days after entries have closed for the quarter. No status will be available before that communication.

More From Forbes

The bonsai theory of innovation....or, reflections of an interim college president.

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If you want to make change, break something.

If you want to sustain change, bind and bend a branch — and keep on binding and bending.

Ann's owl in a mortar board sitting in a bonsai tree

That’s how bonsai trees are created. On a recent bucket list vacation to Japan, I had a close encounter with a bonsai that sparked some thoughts about change and innovation, from the perspective of my year as interim president of Hunter College, the largest college within the massive City University of New York system.

The trip was inspired by my admiration of Japanese culture, especially the intentional emphasis on coaxing order and beauty out of every moment: greetings and farewells, wrapping a package, placing chopsticks, the serenity of a rock garden. I also hoped that travel would shake loose some of the preoccupations of this year.

On my visit to a bonsai garden, I sat with other visitors at a low table, a small, scraggly potted plant, and some unfamiliar tools in front of each of us.

Bonsai, we learned, starts with imagining a future design: a creative vision. Next, you remove branches that disrupt its anticipated shape: the pruning. Then comes the most interesting part: planning for permanence.

If you bend the branches, they will break. But if you spiral a thin, flexible wire carefully around each branch, you can gently reposition it to grow in the desired direction.

Ann's fledgling bonsai

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A miracle! Following the master’s lead, I trimmed and twisted my way into something that kinda/sorta resembled a baby bonsai. But I could not accomplish too much in an hour; cultivating a bonsai takes years.

As the plant grows, the branches have to be matched with training wires of ever greater thickness, while the bonsai artist continues to prune and bend and reposition. Eventually, change becomes organic.

Back home, finished with my term as an interim college president, I have been thinking about how the three steps of vision, pruning, and permanence can help us plan for innovation in higher education.

To be sure, at a college, expressing a vision is a lot more complicated than imagining your way into a handsome potted plant. The bonsai need only be beautiful in the eyes of its creator and admirers. Higher education leaders must answer to a long list of multiple stakeholders, each promoting their vision as compelling rather than competing. Students, faculty, donors, alumni, unions, trustees, elected officials, accreditors, federal and local regulators — did I leave anyone out?

Interim leaders have a mandate to restore stability and prepare for permanent leadership. It falls to their successors to articulate a north star that inspires the whole community, while also leaving ample room for debate and dissent, the Olympic sports of an academic community. Confident leaders seek diverse perspectives and experiences, not sycophants. They know that questioning and experimentation will sharpen and strengthen their ideas.

Do most universities even aspire to a distinctive vision? If so, it’s rarely evident from their mostly interchangeable mission statements. In this era of epidemic college closures, the lack of differentiation is a tell. In the immortal words sometimes attributed to Yogi Berra, sometimes to the Cheshire Cat: "If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else."

Pruning reveals the vision and defines the priorities. The bonsai master identifies the main branches of the plant and trims carefully to encourage healthy growth. Universities should ask the same question: what’s our strongest branch? What offshoots should we keep, and what others should we trim? How do we minimize distractions and ambiguities that could compromise the vision and divert precious resources?

It is notoriously difficult to commit to university priorities. Sacred cows roam free on campus. Even the weakest academic initiatives seem to attract the loudest champions. When a university does shut something down, the howls are heard from coast to coast. The death of the humanities! The triumph of vocationalism over intellectual rigor! The end of shared governance!

Maybe we could howl less and think more about ways to support struggling programs, through interdisciplinary strategies, partnerships with other universities, improving curriculum, connections with employers, or deploying technology to lower costs while improving outcomes.

Permanence, the last lesson of bonsai cultivation, is the hardest to achieve. Permanence requires system change and ongoing support, the equivalent of wrapping and training the bonsai branches. Disrupting the status quo is merely the first step toward that transformation. “Culture change eats strategy for breakfast,” said management guru Peter Drucker, and he was talking about companies, not about hoary colleges and universities defending hundreds of years of history and tradition. Without continually refreshing and reinforcing the vision with concrete action, the organization will revert to old habits. You must do the hard work of changing the institution’s design if there is to be any chance of long-term success and culture change.

The art of bonsai originated in China. This is an early illustration, circa 706.

Alas, permanence is not the province of the interim executive, who has only a short stint in the bonsai garden. No time to wrap and re-wrap those wires — the essential support for innovation and system change.

These days, whether serving as interim or permanent president, the pressures on academic leaders are real and intense. No wonder there are so many open positions at the top. Being a college president has gone from one of the most respected and joyous executive roles to Mission: Impossible .

To those who hope to cultivate the next generation of academic leadership, my advice is pretty simple.

Believe that vision and innovation and change management are essential.

Think about recruiting executives with different experiences, backgrounds, and skills.

Ask your candidates for their big ideas about the institution and about the future of higher education — and pay special attention if you find someone who has tended a bonsai.

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4 Tips for College Success

Success in college rests largely on the mindset and path a student decides to pursue while in school.

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Students who have an idea of how to make the most of their time in college tend to find the most success.

Key Takeaways

• Success in college looks different among students.
• It's important to balance time between school and personal life.
• Building connections in college can enhance your education and well-being in school.

College can be intimidating, and earning an associate or bachelor’s degree can be a daunting task that requires certain skills developed during the college years.

Although the transition from high school to college can be overwhelming, sound advice is available.

Consider the following tips to succeed in college. These four tips are not just for first-year students – they can provide guidance regardless of where students are in their academic career.

What Makes a Successful College Student?

Success in college takes different forms depending on the student. However, a constant among successful students is the ability to take control of their education.

Students should understand that college can be a transformative experience, so it's important to be the “primary architect of that experience," says Tom Mullaney, a professor of history at Stanford University in California and an academic influencer who gives advice on social media platforms.

The college experience is like a pearl necklace, he adds. The school, professors and curriculum offer students the pearls of a successful education, but it’s each student's responsibility to thread the string and create something great.

Students who are grounded in their education and have an idea of how to make the most of their time in college will find the most success, experts say. Here are four tips for success in college.

A student's role is to learn, so be curious. Adopting an inquisitive mindset lays the foundation for a successful college experience, experts say.

Sara Beakley-Mercill, a full-time resident faculty member and chair of the computer information systems department at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona, says students should ask “why?”

Experts say a sense of wonder helps students actively participate in their education.

“Being curious, asking questions, trying to understand, I feel like that’s one of the mindsets I want students to have,” Beakley-Mercill says. “It’s not the only thing, (but) that alone lets them try things that they haven’t tried before.”

Trying new things in a new environment opens the door to a realm of possibilities for college students. For instance, taking courses you may not ordinarily choose could uncover new interests and passions.

David Quigley, provost and dean of faculties at Boston College in Massachusetts, recommends “leaning into the possibilities and not only defaulting to something one is good at or knows. Taking those chances and risks early on in college has a way of outsized, positive results in the long term.”

Practice Time Management

College students can feel overwhelmed with their new schedules and lifestyles, causing them to feel that time is passing too quickly.

“Those first months and weeks on campus, you realize you’re in charge of time," Quigley says. "It’s up to you to figure out how to take advantage of all that time.”

Time management is essential to being successful in college. Balancing time for your education and for yourself is imperative.

“Get sleep. Get rest. Take some time for self-care,” Quigley says. “I think that desire to keep burning the candle at both ends has a way of not working out too often.”

Not only is it important to consider time in the day-to-day hustle of college, but also over the course of an undergraduate experience, experts say.

“If someone just passively assumes that this 10-week experience or 15-week experience is going to transform (them), they are really not setting themselves up for success," Mullaney says. "Instead, the transformative experiences can take time.”

Mastering time management in college means finding a consistent focus in your education. Working on a long-term research study or project, or pursuing a passion, can create a holistic college experience rather than dividing up your education based purely on the semester or quarter system, Mullaney says.

“There has to be something, some tissue, some connective thread, that runs across spring break and Thanksgiving break and winter break and summer break," Mullaney says. "That is the tissue that is the architecture of (a college) experience.”

Attend Your Professors' Office Hours

College professors strongly urge students to take advantage of hours when they will be available in their offices for students to visit. It's each student's responsibility to follow through.

“Make sure you go to office hours," Mullaney advises. "Go 30% of the time, so if it’s 10 weeks of classes, go three times.”

Thirty percent is a "sweet spot" between seeing your professor too few times and taking too much time from both people's schedules, he adds.

Office hours can be beneficial not just in building relationships with professors, but in improving the student's learning ability, experts say. Mullaney says that when students tell their professors what they don't know, good advice should follow.

Build Lasting Relationships

Some describe college as a marathon, not a sprint. College can also be compared to a relay race, so students should build a great team, experts say.

The relationships and connections students build in college can enhance their educational experience and well-being while in school. This network can act as a support system, experts add.

Seeking faculty members who fit your academic goals is one way to build a strong network. Mullaney recommends taking classes “based on some research of who the instructor is and whether or not you want them to help you.”

Beyond classes, personal relationships can help insulate students from the low points, when stress creeps up on them. Quigley recalls the relationships he fostered in college during his job at the college switchboard, calling them “lasting conversation partners” who supported him in various ways.

“Very often college students, during the moments of burnout, close in on themselves,” he says. “Finding conversation partners across (the) generation-spectrum on a college campus I found to be incredibly helpful.”

It's also important to remember the relationships and connections that helped you get into college in the first place, including your family, experts say.

“Family should always come first,” Beakley-Mercill says. Her advice to students who have to drop a class for family reasons is, "don’t apologize. You can’t come here and be successful if all those other things are on your mind."

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IUD insertion pain is complicated. Doctors say the new CDC guidelines are only a start.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued new guidance on managing pain during IUD insertion , but doctors say the updated advice — while a step in the right direction — doesn’t tackle all of the sources of discomfort during the procedure.

IUDs, or intrauterine devices, are an increasingly popular form of long-term birth control in the United States. 

The insertion of an IUD — a small T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus — can be painful. As TikTok has grown in popularity, so too have videos of people detailing their experiences of getting an IUD , describing cramps, bleeding and passing out, sometimes even making videos in the exam room. 

The CDC’s new guidance, published earlier this month, includes a new recommendation: patients should be counseled on pain management before the procedure.

Because they are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, the challenge for doctors is helping individuals who want an IUD to manage the pain, said Dr. Deborah Bartz, an OB-GYN at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

“A lot of us have recognized that historically, women’s pain has not been adequately addressed, that we’re trying to be much more cognizant of pain that patients feel during procedures,” Bartz said. 

The updated guidelines also expand options for pain management for the first time since 2016. That year, the agency recommended as an option a lidocaine injection into the cervix as an option to numb the area and reduce pain. This latest update expanded that to include topical lidocaine, in the form of gels or sprays. 

This, however, only targets a part of the pain felt during an IUD procedure.

Why are IUD insertions painful, and what can help?

IUD insertions begin with a pelvic exam , after which the health care provider accesses the cervix using a speculum, the same tool used in pap smears . Next, a tool called a tenaculum is used to hold the cervix in place while the provider measures the depth of the uterus and then inserts the IUD. 

The insertion process itself usually takes under three minutes. 

Depending on the person, pain is felt differently throughout the procedure, but doctors say that measuring the depth of the uterus and inserting the IUD often causes an intense cramp. 

However, much of the scrutiny — and solutions — focus on the tenaculum, the medieval-looking device with two hooked ends that holds the nerve-heavy cervix in place as the uterus is measured and the IUD is inserted. 

Bartz said this portion of the procedure can cause discomfort, but it’s usually not the most painful part.

Swiss medical device company Aspivix has developed a new tool, called the Carevix, intended to replace the tenaculum and cause less pain. It was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2023 and uses a suction method to grasp the cervix instead of pincer-like forceps.

Results from a study conducted in Switzerland run by the company suggested the Carevix may decrease pain and bleeding for some patients, and another clinical trial is currently underway in the U.S., led by researchers at Indiana University.

Aspivix already has a warehouse and manufacturing plan ready for a commercial rollout before the end of 2024, said Ikram Guerd, the company’s U.S. managing director. Right now, it’s partnered with about a dozen clinics, mostly private and university hospitals, to “soft-launch” its product.  

Dr. Beverly Gray, an OB-GYN at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina, said she’s curious to try any new device, as long as it’s as effective as the current tools. But she cautioned that no current solution will erase pain for all patients.

Even lidocaine, as recommended in the CDC guidelines to ease pain, has limits. 

“The numbing or the anesthetic medication is not like a silver bullet,” Gray said. “It is not something that universally helps everyone’s pain experience.”

Bartz said that lidocaine injections can be painful and noted that, in her experience, local anesthetic really only helps with tenaculum-related pain. Evidence is ambiguous on whether lidocaine injections or gels relieve cramps from placement itself. 

Doctors say they’re working from a limited toolbox.

Currently, the only options to target placement cramps are through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or conscious sedation, neither of which the CDC included in its recommendations. 

“The standard for me is to recommend ibuprofen, which was not discussed in the CDC guidelines, 600 or 800 milligrams — sort of a whopping dose at least a half hour prior to the procedure is most apt to help with cramping,” said Dr. Susan Reed, a gynecologist at UW Medicine in Seattle.

When doctors do recommend ibuprofen before the procedure, some women may think their concerns aren’t being taken seriously.

Alessa Rodriguez, 37, held off on getting an IUD for three years because of the pain. Part of that process, she said, involved finding a gynecologist who was willing to answer her questions and validate her decision. 

“I remember I had a long piece of paper of just question after question — trying to understand what exactly is the kind of pain I’m feeling?” Rodriguez, of New York City, said. “I understand that it’s different for everybody, but I didn’t want somebody to just say, take ibuprofen.”

In underserved areas where contraceptive care is scarce, available options to manage pain may be fewer.

“Definitely higher resourced settings are more equipped,” said Dr. Kerry Caputo, a complex family planning fellow at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

'A lack of good options'

The CDC guidelines rely on existing research, which often isn’t there yet for contraceptive pain. 

“That’s the million-dollar question to me,” Reed said. “Do we do enough research in women’s health in general? The answer is absolutely not.”

Updating the guidelines is a multiyear process. Dr. Antoinette Nguyen, a medical officer in the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, said the group constantly monitors new research, then determines what is significant enough to issue a recommendation. 

Amid a lack of research, Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz, a complex family planning specialist and professor at the Yale School of Medicine, said gynecologists feel like they’re missing a piece of a puzzle.

“It’s been very frustrating in our field, the lack of good options,” Lazorwitz said. “We’re trying to find new tools that we can use because right now the tools are just not adequate enough.”

Taking pain counseling seriously

Pain during gynecological procedures can intersect with experiences of discrimination, trauma and anxiety, which is why doctors say an individualized conversation is so crucial. 

“To hear from so many women that they weren’t getting vital information even before stepping into the room was discouraging and disheartening,” Rodriguez said. She eventually got an IUD and felt side effects for months, but said it was the one of the best choices she’s ever made.

Nguyen said the new CDC guidelines capture this more expansive view of pain, but acknowledged clinical trials are limited and can’t speak to every experience.

Madeline Morcelle, a senior attorney at the National Health Law Program, a legal and civil rights advocacy nonprofit, said discrimination and “coercive practices” over pain management are baked into the health care system. She’s not surprised at the public outcry over IUD pain being dismissed by doctors, especially for marginalized groups.

Even if doctors have limited tools, counseling is nonnegotiable, Morcelle said.

While the CDC’s guidelines aren’t binding, Morcelle said continuing to deny pain counseling — especially if providers selectively issue pain management based on identity — could violate anti-discrimination measures in the Affordable Care Act .

“I think there is an argument to be made that refusals to counsel patients about pain management options for IUD insertion, or refusals to provide access to an evidence-based pain management option as supported in the CDC guidelines that were just issued last week, could be a form of prohibited sex discrimination,” Morcelle said.

Newer generations of gynecologists are taught to take pain seriously, Lazorwitz said, but only after centuries of ignorance in the medical profession. If a doctor dismisses pain concerns, he said it’s time to find someone new.

Many providers said pain counseling is already routine in their offices. Dr. Aparna Sridhar, an OB-GYN at UCLA Health in Los Angeles, said counseling should come naturally to well-trained doctors.

“I think having CDC’s recommendation makes it more of a validation of good practice,” Sridhar said. “But any doctor, if a procedure is known to be painful, it’s only a matter of logic and common sense and our caring ability that makes us think, ‘should we be offering something for pain?’”

Alexandra Byrne is a New York City-based reporter and incoming intern with the NBC News Business and Economy Unit.