How to make the most of your campus visit

Group of people looking at mountains while on campus tour

At CSU, we believe in embracing the process as much as the result. For that reason, we encourage each of our prospective students to explore their college options before deciding which one is the best fit.

A great way to explore your options is to experience campus first hand. That’s why we offer a variety of ways to visit campus.

Once you sign up for a visit, your next step should be to prepare for your day. Learn what steps you can take to make your visit the best it can be.

Want to see more of a particular major? Add it on.

Our admissions tour is meant to give a broad overview of CSU. Due to time constraints, we do not include specific majors or academic tours in these sessions. However, academic tours and sessions are available to add onto your schedule for the day. Each day offers something a little different, so check multiple days to see what’s offered.

If you don’t see the particular academic area you are interested in, we encourage you to reach out and schedule your own individual college or department tours during your visit day. Directly contacting the department or college that you’re interested in is a great way to get detailed information or schedule a tour.

Pro tip: Colleges and department visits get booked quickly. Allow 2-3 weeks’ notice when scheduling your visit.

Comfort is key

Here in Colorado, the weather can change quickly. Be sure to check the Fort Collins weather forecast and dress accordingly. The difference between wearing boots and a jacket or sunglasses and a T-shirt can happen in mere minutes.

No matter what the weather forecast calls for, there are a few must-have items to bring along: comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and a smartphone or camera for photos. Your campus visit will probably include a walking tour, so expect to be on foot for about 90 minutes.

Bring your questions along

During your visit, you can expect to spend time with both current CSU students and admissions counselors. The experience will provide you with the perfect opportunity to ask questions about the admissions process, academics, student life, and everything in between. Consider writing down a list of questions ahead of time and bringing them along with you.

If you are joining an Admissions info session and tour, you’ll be placed into small groups for the tour. A current student will serve as your tour guide and will have a wide range of knowledge about topics like academics, housing, and extracurricular activities. You can expect to be with your tour guide for 90 minutes. This is a great time to ask questions about life at CSU. If you prefer to ask your questions in private, don’t hesitate to pull your guide aside at the end of the tour.

Admissions counselors also are available before and after your tour to answer questions about the admissions process, CSU resources, and Fort Collins.

Get off campus

CSU has strong ties to the Fort Collins community, so be sure to include off-campus experiences if you have time. Exploring the surrounding area during your visit will give you the full picture of life as a CSU student.

Check out our blog posts about Fort Collins to plan an off-campus experience you’ll love.

That’s it!

Visiting campus is a fun part of the college search process. Rest assured that your visit to CSU will be an enjoyable and valuable one whether you plan it out or not. That being said, taking the extra step of identifying your priorities will make the experience that more valuable.

Think about your top needs and wants from your future college and make them priorities during your visit. Whether that means checking out outdoor recreation options or meeting with staff from a particular major, a little bit of planning will go a long way in deciding if CSU is the right fit for you.

Jill Baylis

Jill was a staff member in the Office of Admissions until 2019 when she moved to Denver. As a first-generation college student, she focused on simplifying the college admissions process and helping future Rams find community on campus.