The Ultimate College Tour Checklist: Everything Parents Need to Do Before Hitting the Road

Spring of junior year is a pivotal time for high school students and their parents, but planning those tours can feel stressful for parents. Getting in front of the process by touring target campuses helps ease anxiety for the entire family. Campus visits provide glimpses into everyday college life to help students determine the best academic, social and financial fit. This checklist helps take away the headache of planning the tours. It helps make sure your family gets a feel for what colleges are the right fit too. Putting in the effort over the next few weeks means the Spring Break tours will give everyone helpful and fun memories for years.

 ✅ Finalizing Target College Options 

Have your student draft their initial list of 8-10 schools based on the vital factors of programs, culture, location and affordability. As a parent, suggesting 1-2 outside their comfort zone pushes broader thinking. 


Narrow options doing virtual tours first. Solidify the final target list balancing dream schools and likely acceptance options. Build tour dates and driving routes around this draft list but leave wiggle room for possible additions. 



Signing Up for Official Campus Tours

Once the list is confirmed, make sure to sign up 1-2 months ahead on college admission websites for their student-led tours. Trying to navigate solo means missing key details offered through structured programs. Often student tour guides candidly offer their own perspectives on college pros and cons too.


Review tour timing as some colleges offer academic department open houses or special overnight prospective student events. Attending these exposes families to topics like internships, research or study abroad central to your student’s interests.


Research Lodging and Transportation

Give your high schooler ownership of trip planning, comparing hotels near campus but have them book early before rooms disappear. Alternatively, contact the admission office to coordinate overnight stays in dorms with current student hosts.

Brainstorm together whether driving or flying allows more time for college stops, weighing costs. Road trips build connection through long conversations. Map possible routes hitting different colleges then reservations for rental cars or flights.


Packing Must-Haves

Create a packing list including professional attire for admission meetings, jackets for unpredictable weather and comfy walking shoes. Charge devices nightly for capturing photos of iconic landmarks and student interactions to later recount nuances between colleges.

Bring along notebooks for jotting down answers to strategic questions about academic programs, internships and study abroad opportunities. Compare detailed responses with your student afterward to determine where they envision themselves on campus long-term.



Approaching the looming college search process may stir up overwhelming emotions for parents and students alike. Leveraging spring campus tours builds connection while demystifying the transition ahead. Keeping your high schooler in the driver’s seat while applying your organizational diligence leads to an unmatched road trip steeped in inspiration and insights.