By Hailey Lawson, Communications Specialist, Florida Virtual School 

Individuals walk together across a college campus during a campus visit while discussing academic and student life opportunities. Visiting colleges in person gives prospective students and families a chance to experience the campus environment and ask important questions before applying.

College visits give students a firsthand look at whether a school truly fits their goals, interests, and learning style. But a meaningful visit takes more than walking around campus, according to Natalie Van Hook, assistant principal at Florida Virtual High School (FVHS).

Whether students are just beginning their college search or narrowing down their final choices, campus visits can be a valuable look into what life at a school is really like and help them find the best fit for their goals and interests.

"It's very easy to like a college because of what we see, but until you visit there and look at the campus and really understand what it's about, you really can't know if it's the right fit for you and for your family," Van Hook said.

Here’s what school leaders say families should consider when planning and taking a college tour.

Choosing Which Schools to Visit

Before scheduling tours, students should narrow their list to schools that match their academic interests, preferred campus size, and non‑negotiables. Examples include distance from home, availability of a specific major, campus size, cost, or whether living on campus is required.

Location matters too. A student who dislikes cold weather may not need to tour a school in the snowbelt. A student who prefers a smaller, walkable campus may want to know up front that a school spans hundreds of acres.

Families can use the priorities identified during junior‑year planning to decide which campuses to visit first. “What FLVS Counselors Want Families to Know About College Planning” outlines how students begin developing those priorities early.

Visiting a mix of school types (large, small, urban, suburban) can help students understand what environment feels right for them.

“Students make stronger choices when they know what matters most to them,” said Anne Flenner, school counseling manager. “A campus can be beautiful, but if it doesn’t offer the major or environment a student needs, it won’t be the right fit.”

According to BHDP, campus visits are a critical factor in college choice, with 95% of enrollment leaders saying tours influence a student's decision to enroll.

Do the Research Before the Visit

Van Hook said the work should start well before a family sets foot on campus. Much of this research mirrors what students begin doing in junior year as they build their college list.

Students should look at:

• How the school ranks in their intended major

• Whether the school offers programs aligned with their interests

• Whether their academic profile matches that of typically admitted students

• The school’s size, setting, and climate

• Whether the campus environment aligns with their non‑negotiables

"Do your research first," Van Hook said. "Plan out schools that you feel you would really like to attend, and then make sure that you know all of that information beforehand."

Families who are still building their college list can review the four‑year college planning guide for help identifying priorities before scheduling visits.

How to Sign Up for Independent Campus Tours

Most colleges require students to register for campus tours online. Families can find sign‑up links on each school’s Admissions or Visit Campus webpage. Tour formats vary. Some include a walking tour and information session, while others offer specialized visits for certain majors.

Tours often fill quickly during high‑traffic times such as spring break, long weekends, and summer months. If a tour is full, families can join the waitlist, attend an information session instead, or explore campus independently. Some schools also offer virtual tours or self‑guided options that can help students get a feel for the campus when traditional tours aren’t available.

Students should sign up early, especially if they’re visiting multiple schools in one trip or traveling out of state.

FLVS Group College Visits for the 2026-27 School Year

In addition to independent campus tours, Florida Virtual School Full-Time students can participate in counselor-led college visits throughout the 2026-27 school year.

The first confirmed visits include:

• University of South Florida: Oct. 29

• University of Central Florida: Nov. 5

• St. Leo University: Nov. 6

• Stetson University: Dec. 2

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Jan. 29

• Lake-Sumter State College: Jan. 29

• Florida SouthWestern State College: Feb. 12

• Florida Atlantic University: March 10

School counselors continue to schedule additional visits through April, with more campuses expected to be added throughout the school year.

Students and families can learn about upcoming tours through the Week at a Glance newsletter, Focus announcements, course homepages, counselor webpages, and homeroom teacher pages. Registration and permission forms are available through the FLVS Campus Life field trip sign-up page. Additional sign-up information will be posted as permission forms become available.

What to Ask During the Tour

Once on campus, students should come prepared with questions, not just observations. 

Topics to raise with tour guides and admissions staff include:

• Housing rules for freshmen, including whether living on campus is required

• Opportunities in athletics, clubs, or other extracurriculars

• Class sizes and how many students the school admits into popular majors

• Whether required classes tend to fill up and shift online

• Campus and housing security

• Distance from home and transportation options 

• What tutoring or academic supports they have for students

• What health or mental health services they supply to students

Van Hook said that class format is one that families often overlook. Some students end up taking a majority of their courses online even after choosing to live on campus, simply because in‑person sections fill quickly.

Look Past the Campus Itself

A school’s surroundings can be just as important as its buildings. Students should consider:

• The character of the surrounding community

• Whether the area supports student life

• Access to internships and professional experiences

• Opportunities that may differ from one institution to another

An Adjustment for Online Students

For students moving from a virtual learning environment into a traditional college campus, the shift can be significant. Online coursework often allows students to work at their own pace; in‑person college requires fixed class times and a more structured schedule.

Students should consider:

• Whether they’ll have access to teaching assistants or professor office hours

• Whether large lecture‑style classes might feel overwhelming

• How they’ll build community and get involved

Van Hook said students seeking a full, immersive college experience must take initiative.

"You've got to put yourself out there and meet people and take that initiative to join things," she said.

She added that college often marks a transition toward greater independence, with students taking the lead in communicating with professors, managing responsibilities, and advocating for themselves, skills FLVS students often develop through virtual learning.

Comparing Schools After the Visit

Once families have toured a few schools, the next step is weighing each campus against the student’s previously identified non‑negotiables. These priorities help students compare schools more objectively and decide which ones feel like the best fit.

“The visit is just one part of the process,” said Amy La Grasta, school counseling senior manager. “Students still need to compare programs, costs, and opportunities after they leave campus. A school can feel great in person, but the details matter just as much.”

Research shows that students who feel a sense of belonging on campus have better persistence, engagement, and mental health outcomes, making it important to consider whether a college's culture and community feel like the right fit. 

“I've learned there isn't one perfect college path,” said Anabel Caballero, a Florida Virtual High School senior in the Class of 2027. “I've had to think seriously about what I want to study, where I want to live, what I can realistically afford, and what kind of environment would help me grow.”

Students should also consider what a school values as an institution, since that alignment can matter later in the admissions process, including in essays and applications.

What Happens After the Visit

After touring campuses, students should review their notes, compare each school to their non‑negotiables, and decide which colleges they plan to apply to. 

Application timelines vary widely. Some colleges use rolling admissions, reviewing applications as they arrive and releasing decisions throughout the fall and winter. Others follow set deadlines for Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision, with most final decisions arriving between December and March.

Once decisions are released, families can compare financial aid packages, scholarship offers, and overall fit. Most colleges require students to make a final choice by May 1, National College Decision Day, when enrollment deposits are due.

Next Step for Families

Families should monitor each college’s admissions and campus‑visit pages for updated tour availability, deadlines, and next steps in the application process. For any questions or further information, families can check out the FLVS Full Time and FLVS Flex counselor pages.