Campus Tours

Since you plan on spending four years and possibly $100,000 it's best to see what you are paying for before you commit to anything.  Campus tours can done before you even apply to a school. YOu can always visit a campus after you have been accepted as well. Campus tours are easy if you live nearby, but if you live far away you'll probably need to take some time out and plan your trip there. 

Since I live in NYC and suburbia frightens me, I should probably stick to another major city.  There's nothing like a campus tour to make you wonder if you can really survive 4 years where there isn't a fire truck driving by at 4 in the morning.  Many colleges allow overnight stays at their dormitory so you can really get a feel of what its like to really live there.   

Online Degrees For Undergraduates:

If you can visit a campus try to do it during a weekday when classes are in session.  Some commuter colleges are completely deserted on the weekends.  Call the admissions office for tour times.  It is always suggested that you take a tour with your family, because they may have questions about the school also. 

Look closely at the dormitories.  Would you be comfortable living there?  College dorms vary widely, so ask what the freshman dorms would look like.  Upper classmen usually get first pickings.  Is there a kitchen or a private bath?  Will you be living in a suite?  How many roommates are there?  Is it co-ed?  How secure is the building?  Is it in a rough neighborhood, this is especially important for large cities. 

For online degree students, you should still make an effort to attend a campus tour, since it might be required that you come to the campus a few times a year.  Though it's obviously not as important since you won't be living there, you should still get a vibe for the atmosphere.  It's also a great place to meet other students and find out their opinions about the school.