Is it too Early to Start Touring Colleges as a High School Freshman?

Touring colleges can be an exciting time for students! As they think about the next steps in their future and what life could be like after high school, many students wonder: “When should I start touring colleges?” 

It’s common for upperclassmen to start touring colleges, with 85% of seniors reporting that they have visited a college campus. But for high school freshmen, is it too early to start touring colleges? In this blog post, we’ll provide our best tips and advice for students starting to tour colleges.

Should High School Freshman Tour Colleges?

Ultimately, it depends on if the timing is right for the individual student. Some high school freshmen may already know what they want to do after high school. For these students, it may be a great time to start touring colleges! “[Touring colleges] helped me realize school was more than just a school, but an experience, and would be an important decision,” said Matthew, a rising high school sophomore. Visiting campuses can be an exciting and informative experience for students!

However, other students may need some time to think about their opportunities and the next steps they want to take before they should start touring colleges. For these students, starting college tours too early can be stressful and put unnecessary pressure on them. After all, these students are only in their first year of high school, so they might not be ready to go on a college tour just yet.

We recommend that students and their families discuss whether or not they feel ready to start touring colleges before beginning the college search process. However, there are advantages to visiting colleges as a freshman, and it can help motivate students to work hard throughout their high school years. Here are some of the top benefits for freshmen who are interested in touring colleges.

5 Benefits of Touring Colleges as a Freshman in High School

1. Learn About College Life

Attending a college tour as a freshman can help students get excited and stay motivated about planning for college. While freshmen still have a few years before graduation, visiting colleges can help some students set goals and get a head start on their college search.

2. Learn About Different Types of Colleges

Students are not just choosing a major and a college; they’re also choosing the environment in which they want to live. 

There are many different types of colleges: private, public, community, technical, religious, and more! And, each college also has a different campus size, population, class sizes, classroom styles (lecture halls vs. smaller classrooms), and location (urban vs. rural). 

Finding the right college can be important, especially if a student has a particular lifestyle. For example, a student who wants the social aspect of living on campus may find it hard to make friends at a school with a high commuter population. That’s why it’s helpful to tour colleges early; students can start to think about which type of college best aligns with their future goals.

3. Start Understanding the College Admissions Process

By attending college tours, college freshmen can start preparing for when they apply to colleges. As they tour colleges they are interested in applying to, they can ask questions about the campus to gain some insight and knowledge about the school’s application and testing policies before they apply. 

4. Start Brainstorming a Major

While touring colleges, students should consider what they want to major in. Many colleges offer similar majors, but not all schools will have the exact same offerings. For example, some colleges will offer an American Studies major, while others may just offer a general History major. Before touring a college, get familiar with what type of majors they offer so you can choose colleges to tour that better align with your overall academic goals. 

5. Develop Organizational Skills

By touring colleges early, freshmen can begin to develop good organizational skills. By researching, brainstorming, and preparing for college, students can start documenting the colleges they are interested in. This can help them start to think outside of the classroom and stay on top of deadlines.

Completing a research project with Polygence allows students to continue learning outside of the classroom and develop organizational skills. With Polygence’s experienced mentors, students can complete a project about a topic they are interested in and build valuable skills to prepare for college.

6 Tips for Freshmen Visiting Colleges:

To make your college search a success, here are our 6 best tips:

1. Tour colleges with someone you trust: Bringing a parent, older sibling, or guardian to college tours can help students get a different perspective from someone who has their best interests in mind. 

2. Research the college before you attend: College websites and social media accounts can give students a great insight into what it’d be like to attend that school. It’s helpful to do some research prior to a campus tour so you know what questions to ask.

3. See if there are special tours or events available: Some colleges have special tours for students interested in certain fields, open house events, or even overnight programs that give students a different feel for campus life than a standard campus tour. These can provide an immersive experience for students and help them solidify what they’re looking for.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Tour guides and admissions counselors are very knowledgeable about their campuses. Feel free to ask them questions or clarify anything you’re curious about.

5. Take pictures of the campus: If you tour multiple campuses, it can be easy to get them confused. Taking pictures you can reference later will ensure high school freshmen can remember what they liked about a campus before they apply in their senior year.

6. Take notes about each college: Similarly, having notes to reference can help students make sure they choose the right college. Especially for students who tour colleges early, these notes can be very helpful to refer back to.

To further explore your options, try using the College Finder tool, a great resource to identify the colleges that best align with your interests and goals.

So, when should you start visiting colleges?

Visiting colleges early in high school can be a fun experience, but the best time for students to start visiting colleges is when they feel ready. For some freshmen, it isn’t too early to start touring. Ultimately, it depends on the student’s goals and comfort level.

If you are wondering when you should start touring colleges, it’s most common to start when you are in your junior year or visiting campus during summer vacation. But every student is unique, so start touring colleges when you are ready! 

Final Thoughts

Touring colleges as a high school freshman can be a valuable experience for students ready to explore their future. Whether you're eager to start early or prefer to wait until later in high school, the key is to take your time, stay informed, and make the decision that's right for you. Remember, college is a journey, and starting when you feel confident will set you on the path to success. Happy touring!