What I Learned Touring 9 Colleges with Two High School Students

College Tour Lesson #10: Always check the gas gauge. Getting stranded on a Los Angeles freeway in 101° heat wasn't part of the plan!

This summer, I took my niece, Izzy, and her boyfriend, Jack, on a whirlwind tour of nine California colleges in just seven days. We walked miles of campuses, spent hours in the car, navigated Southern California traffic, explored the surrounding cities and beaches, and learned a lot along the way.

We intentionally spent time beyond each campus because choosing a college isn't just about the classrooms. It's also about the community you'll call home for the next four years. Visiting downtown areas, grabbing meals at local restaurants, and experiencing nearby beaches helped the student’s picture what everyday life would actually be like.

As a life coach, I thought I was helping them evaluate schools. Instead, I watched them discover what they truly needed in a college. It wasn't always what they expected.

Here are my biggest takeaways.

1. Students Don't Know What They Want Until They Experience It

Before the trip, both students had researched colleges online and had clear favorites. But neither really understood what a college campus felt like or what kind of environment would make them happy.

One of the biggest advantages of our trip was that we intentionally visited a variety of schools. Some were large universities, while others were smaller. Some had a strong residential culture, while others were known as commuter campuses.

Not every college visit looked the same. Some schools offered guided, in-person tours, while others only had virtual tours that we followed as we walked the campus ourselves. A few didn't offer tours at all, so we explored on our own, visited key areas, and gathered information from the admissions office, campus signage, and our own observations. Even without a formal tour, we were still able to get a good feel for each campus.

Since we visited during the summer, the campuses were much quieter, so we relied on what we learned from the admissions presentations, tour guides, and our own observations to understand what student life would be like during the school year.

As we visited each campus, they began noticing things they had never considered before, including:

• Campus culture: Did students stay on campus after class or head home? Was it primarily a residential or commuter campus? We also looked at Greek life, student clubs, honors programs, recreation centers, intramural sports, and other opportunities to get involved outside the classroom. These experiences can have just as much impact on a student's college experience as academics.

• Housing: Some schools guaranteed on-campus housing for multiple years, while others had very limited housing, meaning students often needed to find apartments much sooner than expected.

• Strength of their major: Was the university known for their intended major? What research opportunities, specialized facilities, faculty expertise, and alumni success did the program offer?

• Career support: Career centers varied greatly. Some campuses offered extensive internship programs, employer partnerships, networking events, career fairs, and strong job placement resources.

• Industry partnerships and funding: Some departments benefited from significant external funding, grants, and partnerships with businesses, hospitals, nonprofits, or government agencies. These often translated into more research opportunities, internships, updated facilities, and valuable real-world experience.

• Hands-on learning: Some universities emphasized labs, internships, clinical experiences, and real-world projects, while others relied more heavily on classroom lectures.

• Campus environment: Was the campus inviting? Were there green spaces, places to study, and areas where students naturally gathered? We also found that dining options varied considerably. Some campuses relied primarily on national fast-food chains, while others featured local restaurants, chef-inspired dining halls, and rotating meal concepts that offered much more variety.

By the end of the week, some of their original favorites had fallen down the list, while unexpected schools rose to the top.

One of the greatest lessons from the trip was that students don't really know what they're looking for until they experience different types of campuses. Comparing a variety of colleges helped them identify the environment where they could truly see themselves thriving.

2. Complete a Survey After Every Tour

This may have been the most valuable thing we did.

After each visit, we completed a short evaluation rating campus beauty, academics, housing, student life, safety, walkability, and one important question: "Can you see yourself living here for the next four years?"

After nine campuses, those surveys became invaluable. Without them, many of the details would have blended together. They also gave us a way to compare schools side by side and understand how each campus made the students feel while those impressions were still fresh.

3. The Best Conversations Happened Between Campuses

Some of our most meaningful conversations didn't happen during the campus tours. They happened while driving to the next college and over meals.

Without the distractions of everyday life, we talked about careers, independence, finances, friendships, and even which states outside of California they could picture themselves living in. Those quiet moments gave them the opportunity to process what they had just seen, ask questions, and reflect on what was really important to them.

Those conversations ended up being just as valuable as the campus tours themselves.

4. Expect the Unexpected

No road trip goes exactly as planned.

We found ourselves stranded on a Los Angeles freeway after running out of gas in 101-degree heat. It became a valuable lesson for Jack about driving someone else's car always take a minute to learn the basics, like checking the fuel level before you hit the road.

Thankfully, we also discovered the California Highway Patrol's Freeway Service Patrol. They came to our rescue with a complimentary gallon of gas just enough to get us safely to the nearest station. We never knew the service existed until we needed it.

Not all surprises were stressful. We also splurged on one of Erewhon's famous $22 celebrity smoothies. I was skeptical, but after one sip, I understood the hype. It became one of those fun memories we'll always laugh about.

Sometimes the unexpected moments become the highlights of the trip.

5. It's About Finding the Right Fit

After visiting nine colleges, one thing became very clear. There isn't a "perfect" college. There is only the right college for each student.

A website can tell you about rankings, majors, and graduation rates. But it can't tell you whether a campus feels like home. That's something you can only discover by walking the campus, exploring the surrounding community, talking with students, and imagining yourself there.

If you're planning a college tour, don't just visit campuses. Experience them. Explore the town, eat where students eat, walk through the neighborhoods, complete a simple evaluation after each visit, ask questions, and give yourself time to reflect. You may be surprised by what you discover and how much your priorities change once you step foot on campus.

Thinking About Planning a College Tour?

A little planning can make a big difference. I help students and families create personalized college lists, plan meaningful campus tours, and find schools that are the right fit.

Not every parent can take a week off work to visit colleges, and sometimes students are more open to exploring their options with another trusted adult. Whether you need help planning the trip or would like someone to guide your student through the process, I'd love to help make the college search easier, less stressful, and more rewarding.

Bonus:

College Tour Survey

One evaulation for each campus you visit. Complete it immediately after your tour while your impressions are still fresh.

School: ______________________________________

Date: ______________________________________

First Impression

What were your first thoughts when you arrived?

Three words that describe this campus:

Campus Feel (Rate 1–5)

• Campus beauty:

• Students seemed happy:

• Students seemed friendly:

• Campus felt safe:

• Easy to get around:

• Overall atmosphere:

Student Life (Rate 1–5)

• Clubs:

• Greek Life:

• Honors Program:

• School Spirit:

• Recreation Center:

• Intramural Sports:

• Dining:

• Campus Events:

Academics & Career Preparation (Rate 1–5)

• Strength of my major:

• Hands-on learning opportunities:

• Career Center:

• Internship opportunities:

• Industry partnerships:

• Research opportunities:

Housing & Campus Resources (Rate 1–5)

• Dorms:

• Availability of on-campus housing:

• Study spaces:

• Library:

• Dining halls:

Location (Rate 1–5)

• Surrounding area:

• Walkability:

• Things to do nearby:

Overall

Could you see yourself living here for four years? (Rate 1–5)

Would you apply?

Would you attend if accepted?

Reflection

Favorite thing:

Biggest surprise:

Anything else you'll remember?

The Gut Check (Don't overthink these.)

My overall excitement level leaving campus (1–5):

Could I picture myself making friends here?

Could I picture myself walking to class every day?

Does this school feel like home?

Until next time,

Wendy Wheeler