What not to wear on a college tour?

Jeans are fine, as are t-shirts, but be wary of anything with a slogan or image that might be offensive. Even if a curse word or scantily clad person doesn't bother you, it's probably not the right fit for your first impression! You don't have to dress fancy, but do put in a little bit of effort.

Does it matter what you wear to college tours?

Dress Attire

Admission counselors understand families and students want to make a great first impression on admission staff, but it is all about comfort and showing lots of confidence. Since college visits are more informal, be reassured that dressing casually is okay.

What should you wear to an official college visit?

You want to look neat and clean throughout your entire trip. For men, bring a collared shirt with nice jeans or khakis. For women, a skirt, dress, nice slacks or jeans are acceptable. Avoid wearing sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip flops and ripped jeans.

What should parents wear to a college tour?

While most college visits do not require you to dress out of the ordinary, you should still look presentable if you seriously plan to attend. Make sure your clothes are clean, stain-free, and not wrinkled. Your outfit should still be appropriate even if it's casual.

What should you not ask on a college tour?

Your tour guide is usually a respected member of the college who most likely attended the school in the past or is a student themselves. You may be tempted to ask personal questions about their applications, SAT or ACT scores, or GPA, from high school or college. Stay away from those types of questions.

What NOT to do on your College Official Visit

How do you make a good impression on a college tour?

Should I bring a backpack to a college tour?

You may also bring one personal item. We suggest a backpack. You will use your backpack during touring days for water, sunscreen, etc. All liquids need to be stored in a 1 quart, clear, Ziploc bag.

What should a girl wear to a college tour?

If you're on a guided tour, it's absolutely okay to be a little casual. You don't need to be impressive, though you should aim for comfort and self-confidence. Comfortable shoes are a must, though maybe choose something nicer than your rattiest pair of sneakers.

Do parents go on college tours with their kids?

It is common and even expected that parents be part of visits to their children's prospective colleges. After all, someone needs to book the trip, be a chaperone for overnight visits and more.

What should I bring on a college tour?

Can I wear ripped jeans to a college tour?

Just because you don't want to overdress doesn't mean under-dressing is okay, either. It's not. Anything ripped or torn (even fashionably so) is off limits.

Can I wear shorts on a college tour?

There are no hard and fast rules about what to wear to a college visit. While you do not need to dress formally, and shorts, T-shirts, and jeans are acceptable, you do not want to wear inappropriate clothing.

Does an official visit mean an offer?

An official invite does not guarantee an offer, but you should definitely be prepared for the best case scenario. If you have additional visits scheduled, it might make sense to ask the coach when the offer will expire and if it's possible to take some time to think about your answer.

Do people dress up for college tours?

Keep It Casual, but Not Too Casual

While a college tour certainly doesn't call for a tuxedo or a prom dress, ripped jeans, ratty t-shirts, or stained sweats may not make the best first impression on the people you meet. And first impressions often make lasting impressions.

Should you bring a notebook to a college tour?

When you visit any college, it's a good idea to take your smartphone or camera, notebook, and a small backpack. You'll want to make a record of your experience with pictures, videos, and notes. You may want a jacket or packable umbrella in your backpack to prepare for weather changes.

What age is best for college tours?

Generally, it's recommended to start visiting colleges during your junior or senior year of high school.

Can siblings go on college tours?

Although it can be fun and cost-effective to schedule a campus visit as a family, unless the other sibling is in high school, having a younger sibling tag along on a college tour can be a distraction to you as well as your older child.

Do siblings go on college visits?

It's also a great time for younger students like freshmen and sophomores to do some casual college visits while on short fall breaks or even accompany an older sibling on their own visits.

Are campus tours worth it?

To Sum Up...

Not only will you learn a ton of important info about the school, but you'll get to see and sense the general atmosphere of the campus and its surrounding area. Since this is the place where you could learn, live, and grow for four years, you want to make sure it fits your goals and personality.

Should you dress nice for a college visit?

If you're in for the standard campus tour, then casual is just fine—maybe some nice jeans and a college t-shirt. But if you're planning to nail a college interview with admissions, meet with a professor, or chat with department heads, you definitely want to dress up a little more.

What do you wear to an unofficial college visit?

You want to look neat and clean throughout your entire trip. For men, bring a collared shirt with nice jeans or khakis. For women, skirt, dress, nice slacks or jeans are acceptable. Avoid wearing sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip flops and ripped jeans.

How do you dress preppy in college?

Tennis skirts, V-neck sweaters and sweater vests, blazers, and polo shirts are some of the most famous pieces of prep clothing, but there are also fabrics and patterns that are instantly recognizable as prep-approved: plaid, argyle, stripes, and almost anything cable knit or pleated also falls into the preppy outfit ...

How long do college tours usually last?

Typically, campus tours last about an hour and include the library, an academic building, the student center, a dining hall, and a dorm room. But the visit isn't only about seeing the sights. It's also about seeing how you relate to the campus and the students, and if you feel like you'd fit in.

What happens during a college tour?

Your visit is an opportunity to ask about anything that's important to you, including academics, academic and social support, extracurriculars and more. You may also want to ask specific questions if you'll be meeting with a tour guide, financial aid officer, admissions officer, or professor.

What to do before a college tour?