12 February 2015

Suggested College Tour Itineraries

college tours map

Here are some suggestions for schools to visit, grouped by region, to get you rolling. Each list includes 5-6 schools that offer a range of sizes, settings and selectivity to help imagine the possibilities.  We also suggest others worth considering and why.  

Cities currently covered include Boston, New York City, Syracuse, Washington DC, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

Click on the Continue Reading link below to see our suggestions, or try our College Tour Planner to build your own custom campus tour itinerary.

Suggested starting point

  • Boston College
  • Northeastern
  • Boston University

These popular Boston area schools represent a good mix of size, setting and admissions selectivity.  All are easily accessed via public transportation, and given their relative proximity you can squeeze in two campus visits a day if necessary.  

For a taste of smaller schools in more rural locations, consider driving to western Massachusetts to visit Amherst , Williams , Hampshire College , Smith or UMass Amherst .  If you're interested in engineering, check out Olin , UMass Lowell and WPI , and if you're interested in entrepreneurship visit Babson .  

Boston campus visits itinerary

  • Sarah Lawrence

Though we've contained the list to schools in NYC, it's easy to venture out into upstate NY, Connecticut, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania if you're game.  If you're interested in visiting Ivy League schools, both Yale and Princeton are within relatively easy reach by car, bus or train. Cornell is four hours away, but if you head up that way you can also visit Colgate and Hamilton to give you a taste of small, medium and large schools in rural settings.  

New York campus visits itinerary

  • Syracuse University
  • Ithaca College
  • Hobart and William Smith

The schools on this list offer a great mix of size, setting and selectivity. If environmental science and forestry are your thing, check out SUNY ESF , and if you have time to venture to Rochester, check out the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology .

Syracuse campus visits itinerary

Washington DC

  • American University
  • George Washington
  • Johns Hopkins
  • University of Richmond
  • University of Virginia

The schools on this list are medium to large schools in suburban and urban settings. Time permitting, consider also checking out William & Mary , Virginia Tech and Washington and Lee .  

Washington DC campus visits itinerary

  • University of Chicago
  • Northwestern
  • University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
  • University of Wisconsin

These schools are all classic medium-large universities. For a smaller school experience, check out the Colleges that Change Lives in the area, such as Knox , Beloit , Wheaton , Wabash , Kalamazoo and Cornell College .  

Chicago campus visits itinerary

  • Case Western
  • Carnegie Mellon
  • University of Michigan

These schools provide a broad mix of sizes and settings. Kenyon and Oberlin exude a small school, small town feel, Ohio state and Michigan a classic Big Ten college town feel, and Case Western and Carnegie Mellon a more urban feel.

Cleveland campus visits itinerary

San Francisco

  • UC Berkeley
  • UC Santa Cruz
  • University of San Francisco
  • Santa Clara University

Most of the San Francisco Bay area schools tend to be larger in size, but offer great variety in terms of locale/setting. Three popular University of California campuses are within two hours: the more rural, bicycle-friendly Davis, the urban, progressive Berkeley, and the earthy-crunchy Santa Cruz.  

San Francisco campus visits itinerary

Los Angeles

  • Claremont Colleges
  • UC San Diego

These popular Southern California schools offer a good mix of size, setting and selectivity. You'll need a car to see them all, but in certain situations it's still very possible to squeeze in two campus visits a day.  The Claremont Colleges— Pomona , Claremont McKenna , Pitzer , Harvey Mudd and Scripps —are particularly interesting to visit because of their setup as a consortium with distinct campuses but shared classes.

If you're interested in STEM fields, be sure to check out Caltech and Harvey Mudd. If film or animation are your thing, check out Chapman University , Cal Arts and Loyola Marymount in addition to USC and UCLA.

Los Angeles campus visits itinerary

  • Tags: American , Amherst , Babson , Beloit , Boston College , Boston University , CalArts , Carnegie Mellon , Case Western , Chapman , Claremont McKenna , Colgate , Columbia , Cornell , Cornell College , Fordham , George Washington , Georgetown , Hamilton , Hampshire , Harvard , Harvey Mudd , Hobart and William Smith , Ithaca , Johns Hopkins , Kalamazoo , Kenyon , Knox , Loyola Marymount , Michigan , MIT , Northeastern , Northwestern , Notre Dame , NYU , Oberlin , Occidental , Ohio State , Olin , Pepperdine , Pitzer , Pomona , Princeton , Purdue , Rochester , Rochester Institute of Technology , Santa Clara , Sarah Lawrence , Scripps , Smith , Stanford , Syracuse , Tufts , UC Berkeley , UC Davis , UC San Diego , UC Santa Cruz , UCLA , UMass Amherst , UMass Lowell , University of Chicago , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , University of Richmond , University of San Francisco , University of Virginia , USC , Virginia Tech , Wabash , Washington and Lee , Wheaton - IL , William & Mary , Williams , Wisconsin , WPI , Yale , Yeshiva
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Juniors, Now’s the Time to Schedule Your College Visits

Juniors, it’s time for you to get started on college visits.

Whether you’re thinking about knocking out one or two or hitting a series of colleges, here is your go-to guide for setting up a college visit. 

We’ll walk you through a steps to take before, during and after visits to help you find your perfect fit.

And if COVID-19 protocols are still underway, don’t miss our article about what to do when you can’t tour colleges in person .

What Can Juniors Do Right Now? 

Juniors can do a lot right now, including developing a checklist and other things you can put on the family calendar.

Step 1: Start talking.

That’s right. Sit down and have a conversation with your family.

What are you thinking you want to do for college? Do you think you want to go to a large school? A small school? What fits your personality and preferences?

Start talking with adults you trust about schools that make sense for your needs.

Step 2: Brainstorm.

Have no idea where to start? Start a brainstorming session where you write down your visions about what you think your college experience might be like.

Rather than throwing a dart at a map and jumping in the car, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions: 

  • Do you see yourself going to a large or small school?
  • Do you want a lot of personalized attention? 
  • Are you looking for a more selective institution? 
  • How far away from home do you want to live?
  • When you envision college, what do you think of?

In other words, think broadly about your college visit choices, then think more narrowly about the colleges you’d like to visit. 

Put a premium on relationships when you make this list.

What kind of people do you want to meet? What type of individuals do you want to learn from?

Remember, college is about way more than pretty residence halls, beautiful buildings and other aesthetic things. It’s about the people who influence you along the way.

Step 3: Research at least one college.

Choose at least one college and do as much research as you can. Learn more about that particular school’s:

  • Admission criteria
  • Results — how many students go to graduate school, get a job after graduation, etc.
  • School profile 
  • Academics and selectivity: Are you looking for a serious academic environment? Would you rather go to a school that focuses on undergraduate teaching — or research? 
  • Potential majors
  • Housing information
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Athletics opportunities

After you narrow down some of the “big” things, like distance from home and general experience, then you can start thinking about things like major, requirements and more.

Does this college college or university you’ve researched fit the bill? If not, look for another one. If that one makes sense, move toward school as your first visit.

Step 4: Check the calendar.

Once you’ve honed in on your first college to visit, figure out what visit day fits into your schedule. Check your calendar and your family members’ calendars too. Remember, mom and dad likely have to drive you to your visit or coordinate flights. You need to plan the visit with your parents, and you might need to make sure your brothers’ and sisters’ schedules are open too. 

How to Set Up a College Visits

First of all, make sure you (the student!) call the schools where you’re interested in setting up a visit.

Your mom or dad should not make the call. It’s time to put some of those adulting skills into practice.

Step 1: Think through what you want to do on your visit. 

Who are the must-see people on your radar—the soccer coach, tutoring center, a financial aid advisor? It’s OK if you’re not sure. You can work through some of these questions when you make your phone call to the admissions office.

Step 2: Call the college or university’s admissions office. 

Don’t set up a visit online. Talk to an actual person.

Or, if you do set up a visit online, call and make sure the admissions office received your scheduled visit—and that it didn’t get lost in cyberspace.

Have a detailed conversation about what you’d like to do when you’re on the visit.

Step 3: Ask for a personal campus visit. 

Try to steer clear of group visit days. 

Naturally, you’re an individual and have specific interests and needs.

When you’re stuck on a group visit, no one student will have the same interests as you. You could get stuck touring the gym for 25 minutes of your hour-long tour (even if you’re not an athlete or hate the thought of a treadmill). Who wants that?

A personal campus visit ensures your visit is all about you and nobody else.

Step 5: Get ready! 

You don’t want to start a college visit without doing some preparation. You want to know as much as possible about the college you’re visiting before you visit. 

Simple. You don’t want to waste time learning stuff you already know. If you already know the basics, like the size of the college, majors available and costs, why spend time relearning stuff you already know? 

Plus, it brings camaraderie with the admission staff or chemistry professors when you say, “Yeah! And that biochemistry secondary major—that sounds cool.”

You’ll never believe how much people’s eyes light up when you know something about the college or university already.

What to Do During/After Visits

When you arrive at the admissions office, go to the campus visit coordinator’s desk and introduce yourself. That individual will help you get your day started in the right direction. 

While you’re on your visit, do your best to ask great questions. You want to think of questions before you visit and ask everyone questions. Get each person talking about the college or university you’re visiting. It’s best to get candid thoughts from each individual you talk to.

This may sound like a pain, but it’s a good idea to get all your thoughts together and take a minute or two to jot down all your initial reactions to the college you’ve just visited. Grab your phone and type in some notes on the card or plane ride home.

Believe it or not, it’s difficult to remember each individual school after your 10th college visit.

Now’s the Time!

Juniors, we’ve offered everything you need to know about how to schedule a college visit .

It’s a matter of sitting down with your family members or other trusted adults, pouring over Niche’s 2021 college rankings and making lists of what matters to you.  

It’s going to be a great time, so have fun with the process. 

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Author: Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is the founder of College Money Tips and Money editor at Benzinga. She loves helping families navigate their finances and the college search process. Check out her essential timeline and checklist for the college search!

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While many current college students tout the importance of being able to actually step foot onto the campus you might go to, sometimes the circumstances just do not work out.

At Niche, we know a college is more than its stats or buildings. We also know it can be hard to figure out a college’s vibe or how students feel about it from its website alone. Using our comprehensive college profiles and social media accounts, you can get a sense of what life at a college is really like. Here are three simple ways to do that.

In case you haven’t heard yet, Niche has an amazing new opportunity for high school seniors. Niche Direct Admissions is a program that allows participating colleges to accept students and offer scholarships based on their Niche Profile. That’s right — no application needed.

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Perhaps with all of your other responsibilities as a parent, you don’t have the time to plan an in-depth, multi-day, multi-campus college visit itinerary. Or maybe you’ve started planning and have found the process just too confusing. No matter the reason, no matter the stage of the planning process you’re in, Custom College Visits can help.  Get in Touch Now for summer/fall 2023 campus visits!

College Tours for Families

An itinerary designed for you, by us.

You choose the dates that are most convenient for you and select the specific colleges and universities that your teen wants to visit. Our services include:

  • Arrangements for one-on-one customized meetings geared specifically to the interests of your teen
  • Assistance with travel and hotel arrangements
  • Individualized, Teen College Goals Assessment

A Detailed Itinerary at Your Fingertips

Some of the institutions our clients have visited.

  • UC Berkeley
  • Boston University
  • Columbia University
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • University of Chicago
  • Brown University
  • Syracuse University
  • Stanford University
  • Purdue University
  • Smith College
  • Florida State University
  • Harvard University
  • Rice University
  • Dartmouth College
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Duke University
  • Cornell University
  • Lehigh University
  • University of Denver
  • College of Charleston
  • Oxford University (UK)
  • Tulane University
  • Wake Forest University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Princeton University
  • Yale University
  • University of Miami
  • Skidmore College
  • University of Alabama
  • Wesleyan University
  • University of Oregon
  • McGill University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

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A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Most of Your College Visit

How to Plan & Prepare for Your College Visit

When you think about where you want to go to college, you’ll want to consider what it will be like to actually spend your time there, day by day. Does it not only offer the program you want, but also the resources to support it? And what about everything outside of the classroom? What other opportunities are available? Are you comfortable with the social environment, and can you handle the size of the student body? The climate?

One of the most helpful ways to answer these questions is to visit the schools you’re considering. Stepping on campus before you attend is a great way to predict what it would be like to step on campus as a student. A college visit can give you a first-hand experience that will ultimately help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect school for you.

Why Should I Go on a College Visit?

A college visit will give you the chance to get an up-close-and-personal preview of what your future experience at a school could look like. Visits typically include an information session and a tour of the campus itself.

Information sessions provide an overview of a college’s academics and culture—its strengths, resources, and what makes it unique. This is the perfect chance for you to ask questions and learn about the history, traditions, and fun facts that are specific to a school. The campus tour is exactly what it sounds like—you will be shown important locations like the dining halls, library, student union, and examples of classrooms and dorm rooms. It’s the time for you to get a glimpse of the culture—class sizes, clubs and organizations, the quality of the facilities, and the general atmosphere of the school.

If you take full advantage of your visit, you’ll be able to leave with a pretty clear idea of what life as a student looks like. College visits also give your family the opportunity to take part in your selection process. Bringing parents, siblings, or extended family along for the ride allows them to gain an understanding of the environment, provide their input, and share in your excitement! It may also help ease some of their own fears and apprehensions about your potential new home.

A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Most of Your College Visit

Step 1: decide which schools to visit.

Although they’re helpful, college tours can be expensive and time consuming. You might want to narrow down your options if you have a lot of schools on your list of options. Do some research and try to figure out which colleges have the greatest potential of meeting your needs. Much of the academic information you need can usually be found on the college’s official website, but you may want to explore other resources as well. Consider the location, size, cost, and academic programs of each school, then compare all the options on your list and see which ones are worth traveling to.

Questions that you may want to ask:

  •     Does this college provide the program I may want to study?
  • It’s crucial to find a college that offers high-quality programs for your major .
  •    What’s the likelihood that I will be accepted into this school ?
  • If you know this college is a big stretch for you, you will have to decide whether the expense of a visit would be worth it.
  •    Am I comfortable with the size of this campus?
  • Though it definitely varies by school, smaller colleges may provide more one-on-one interactions with the professors and a tight-knit community, while larger colleges may provide more choices of majors, activities, and other opportunities than those with fewer students.
  •    Where is the college located?
  • Do you want to be able to drive home on the weekends, or would you rather stay in a unique environment far from home?
  • Do you want to experience an urban environment, or a small, “college-town” life?
  • How does climate factor into your decision?
  •    How much is tuition?
  • If you are accepted into a school, the next question to ask is whether you can afford to enroll! This factor can also vary depending on the location of the college; going to a school out of your home state can affect the price of tuition.
  •     What kind of financial aid can I leverage at this school?
  • Although tuition cost may be an issue, you may be able to rationalize the cost with the help of financial aid. Look into your options and determine whether tuition, room, and board will fit within your budget. For more ways to make attending the school of your choice more affordable, check out these guides:
  • How to Find—and Win—Scholarships: Your Complete Guide
  • Money Matters: Thinking About Financial Aid

Hopefully, these considerations can help you keep costs low while still benefiting from something as useful as a college visit . And if you want to visit a certain college but are unable to, check its website to see whether it offers a virtual tour. It may not give you the first-hand experience that an actual visit could provide, but a virtual tour is nevertheless a free, convenient way to see the campus from the comfort of their own homes.

More Guides for Conducting Your College Search

Step 2: Make a Reservation

College visits have limited space, so it’s important to make your reservation early. If you have a desired day and time in mind, you should reserve your spot before it fills up and then make your travel plans accordingly. Will you be able to drive, or do you need to book a flight? Will you need to stay overnight? To make your reservation, visit the college’s website and find the page that is dedicated to prospective students. The webpage will be filled with information about planning and reserving a campus tour, which may need to be done through the website, email, or phone.

Step 3: Prepare Questions for your College Visit

You will learn more than you can remember about your potential colleges during your visit, but it’s so important to do your research first and then come up with any questions or concerns you want to resolve while you are there. Just in case the information you want isn’t automatically part of the campus tour, you should have your must-know questions in mind. And, of course, bring along a notebook to keep track of what you learn. Here’s a handful of questions you might be curious about:

  • What is the average class size for courses in my major of interest?
  • Are most classes lecture based or discussion based?
  • What type of career services do you have?
  • Do you have a learning community or other freshman experience?
  • Do most freshmen live on campus? What about upperclassmen?
  • How is parking on campus?
  • What is your four-year graduation rate?
  • How do students interact with professors outside of class?
  • Do you have any advice on ways to get around campus?
  • How do you provide academic advice to students?
  • What clubs and organizations do you have on campus?
  • How soon can I meet with an admissions advisor?
  • What and where are the best places to eat on campus?
  • What do students typically do in their free time?
  • What facilities are available? (gyms, libraries, etc.)

Step 4: Schedule Your Day

Whether you’re staying for a single day or a whole weekend, your college visit will only last for a limited time. To stay efficient and get the most out of your visit, we recommend that you create a schedule of the activities that are important to you. Carve out time to explore the campus on your own or connect with any current students you know; this will help personalize your experience and give you a more in-depth idea of what student life is like.

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If possible, you could also consider attending a class, eating at the dining hall, or spending the night on campus—whatever will help you best understand what’s important to you as a student!

Step 5: Find a Map of Campus

A map can help you find specific areas you want to see, such as the buildings where the majority of your classes will take place in a specific major, athletic facilities you will want to use, or different libraries and study centers. It’s also helpful to know the size and layout of the school beforehand (especially if the campus is large!) to make navigation a little easier and faster while you are there.

Finally, take pictures! The more you document your visit, the easier it will be to reference all your likes and dislikes about the campus.

Get Excited

College visits are an important part of the selection process. What better way to understand student life than by living it yourself? Your experience on campus can make or break your decision, so it’s important to be as prepared as possible to learn everything that’s important to you. With a satisfactory college visit, you can leave each prospective college one step closer to your final decision!

More Helpful Guides: 

Accepted to Multiple Colleges? Here’s How to Confirm—and Reject—Your Admission

What is College Room & Board?

Who, When, and How to Ask for the Best Letter of Recommendation for College Admissions

High School Checklist: Freshmen through Senior Year

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14 Tips for an Effective College Visit

Visiting a college can help a student determine if he or she wants to spend the next four years there.

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Finding the right fit.

For high school students in the process of researching a variety of colleges and universities , admissions professionals recommend scheduling campus visits to get a better feel for the schools. Some colleges track whether prospective students make an in-person visit and count it as "demonstrated interest," which could help admissions chances. For both students and families, campus visits are an important part of the process when choosing which college to attend. "They are very likely to show you things that you didn’t know you cared about. That’s a great first step," says Rachel Rubin, co-founder of admissions consulting company Spark Admissions. "It’s really important for families to think about what they want to know.” Here are 14 tips for how students can get the most out of college visits.

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(Getty Images) |

  • Start planning early.

As students get closer to the final year of high school, their schedules are filled trying to balance school and a social life – all while exploring potential college campuses. To ease the stress, students and families may want to make visits sooner, ideally before senior year. The College Board recommends spring of junior year as a good time to visit campuses for students who have already done the research on those colleges. College visits are a good use of downtime over spring break, as well. Late summer and early fall before senior year are also convenient times, the College Board website notes, adding that classes may already be in session, allowing prospective students a fuller glimpse of campus life.

The young adult female guidance counselor listens carefully to the young adult female student.

  • Ask questions.

A campus visit is a great chance to not only see the campus, but also to ask questions about the school and what the experience is like on campus. While some information can be found on a school's website, speaking with student ambassadors or school officials while visiting campus can provide additional important information necessary for making a smart college decision. "I think the best way to make the most of the tours is to ask a lot of good questions of the tour guide and to engage with any current students to get their opinion on life on the campus,” says Satyajit Dattagupta, chief enrollment officer and senior vice chancellor at Northeastern University in Massachusetts.

Diverse group of smiling young college students talking while walking together down stairs at school between classes.

  • Get student perspectives.

The largest population on any college campus is the student body. Given their collective experience, it's likely they'll have opinions to share on academics, facilities, dining services , student life and more. Talking to current students is a valuable part of vetting a college and can provide prospective students with unfiltered perspectives about the school and the student experience. "Talk to as many students as you can to get a flavor of the student population," says Liz Doe Stone, a senior private counselor for Top Tier Admissions, an admissions consulting company. "Email students from your high school who attend that school and ask to get together for coffee when you’re on campus."

college visit planner

  • Explore college through the lens of campus media.

Student newspapers can be a valuable source of insight into what's happening at a college. But don't stop there. The College Board's campus visit checklist also recommends tuning in to the campus radio station and reading other campus publications such as literary reviews and department newsletters. This allows students to find out what issues are popular on campus, controversies happening, new programs being created, what students are excited about and trends to be aware of, Stone says. "The more that you can do ahead of time to get to know the campus culture so that you can ask good questions to current students, that’s another great way to get a more authentic sense of what’s going on or what it would be like to be a student there."

High school or college students doing math problems on the whiteboard

  • Visit academic departments.

Along with being comfortable with the campus environment, students should explore academic departments that interest them. A great way to start can be touring facilities, sitting in on a class and meeting professors . This is a good way for students to learn about the areas where they might be spending the most time if they choose to attend school there, and it's also valuable information when comparing schools. For best results, email professors or administrators ahead of time to set up a meeting, Stone says, but even informal visits can be valuable.

Autumn Yellow Gingkoes Trees tunnel and pathway to the historical auditorium at the University of Tokyo, Japan

  • Check out other campuses nearby.

When visiting a college in person, prospective students should consider visiting other campuses nearby. Many major metro areas are home to multiple colleges, and even rural areas may have colleges that are surprisingly close together. As students plan their visits, families should take note of other options near the schools they intend to visit. "If you're going to spend some time traveling, whether it be across the state or across the country, you might as well try to maximize that and investigate other opportunities that are close and convenient," says Collin Palmer, associate vice president of enrollment management at Kent State University in Ohio.

Two men and a woman talking and laughing in a coffee shop while drinking coffee and eating breakfast together

  • Learn about the local community.

While the college is the main attraction, students shouldn't overlook the surrounding community where they may live and work when off campus. Take time to discover coffee shops, restaurants and other places you might enjoy visiting frequently, and consider how the community might factor into your education aspirations, says Kent Hopkins, vice president for academic enterprise enrollment at Arizona State University and ASU Global. Determine whether the community will provide internship or externship opportunities or serve as a potential career launch pad, he says. Palmer adds that students should also consider whether they're looking for an urban or rural experience , or what size city they prefer.

Clean cafe with empty chairs and tables

  • Visit a dining hall or student center.

The college dining hall is not only a place where many students consume a majority of their meals, but it also tends to be a community hub where students congregate to study or meet for clubs. Given the likelihood that much of a student's time will be spent in the dining hall or student center, experts say students and families should plan to eat at least one meal on campus to get a sense of available food options and other amenities. "That can be a great way not only to sample the on-campus food options, but also to have informal conversations with current students in line or at a nearby table,” Stone says. Some schools have particularly tasty options , and those with dietary restrictions should get a sense of whether the school can cater to their needs.

female student in silhouette looking at the books from the bookshelf

  • Explore the campus library.

Another place where students spend significant time is the campus library. Many campuses have more than one library, and there's often variety in what each library offers. Some have coffee shops and restaurants. Stone notes that some are open-stack libraries, meaning students can browse, select and check out books themselves. Others are closed-stack, meaning library staffers retrieve the books for students. Similarly, some campus libraries offer a slew of private study rooms with modern technology available to use for various projects. Prospective students should use the campus visit to make sure the school library fits their academic needs.

Teenage boy using laptop on table at home

  • Explore various virtual tour options.

Some colleges may be too far from home for students to make an initial visit. Online tools allow prospective students to take virtual tours from the comfort of their couches. Students can take self-guided virtual tours or sign up for more interactive options such as 360-degree video and virtual reality. Experts say virtual tours are good substitutes for those unable to visit in person. Some guided in-person tours may not take students to all the places they want to see, but through virtual tours students can investigate other aspects of campus. Virtual tours are especially valuable for international students, experts say.

Emergency blue light pole in quiet wooden foot path area

  • Ask about campus safety.

With the amount of time traditional college students spend on campus, feeling safe on school grounds is an important factor to consider when exploring colleges. Prospective students should ask tour guides about campus safety policies. In virtual campus tours, students can ask guides or the admissions office for more information. Federal law requires colleges to release information related to crime on and around campus. Families can check annual security reports to see recent incidents on campus. If anything stands out as a cause for concern, ask the school for more information on campus safety . While on campus, asking students how comfortable they feel at the school is a good way to gauge how safe students generally feel, Hopkins says.

Shot of a young woman using a mobile phone and laptop while working from home

  • Get financial aid information.

Along with understanding the culture of a school and the academic options it provides, students should research financial aid opportunities at a college. A campus visit is an opportunity to do just that. Finding out the types of aid available, such as merit-based and need-based, is one of the first questions students should ask when speaking with the financial aid office, Rubin says. “Students can also bargain for more money once they’re accepted, and that’s where they really have a leg up," she says. This can also help students budget for attending that school, Hopkins says, noting that families should be aware that cost of attendance is not the sticker price. Families should factor in room and board, travel expenses for students attending away from home and any aid or income that could help offset costs.

Sitting at the same table, the two male teenage friends talk during class.

  • Ask about disability accommodations.

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, any school that accepts federal money is legally required to provide accommodations for qualifying students with disabilities . Some do the bare minimum, but others have strong programming for students with disabilities because they have a high number of students needing services. Some charge fees for certain services, like tutoring, so experts suggest taking time on a college visit to meet with the disabilities services office to ask what’s available and at what cost. “It’s really important for students to understand to what extent they need to fight for these services and always be on top of their teachers and make sure their accommodation plan goes out to everybody at the start of each semester," Rubin says.

Relaxed group of Hispanic classmates smiling and talking in electrical engineering lab. Property release attached.

  • Meet with clubs and organizations.

A big part of the college experience is the social component, and experts say students should make sure they attend a school where they can get involved in clubs and organizations. For example, students who are interested in joining a fraternity or sorority should check out Greek life housing and meet with the campus administrator overseeing Greek organizations. Those who enjoy sports recreationally should reach out to presidents or leaders of club sports organizations or someone who organizes intramural sports, Stone says. “I always tell students to talk to any extracurricular leaders tied into your interest,” she says. "So if you’re a violin player, speak to someone in the music department. If you love drama, talk to someone who is the head of the theater club."

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Learn more about colleges.

Get more advice about how to choose a college and check out the complete rankings of the Best Colleges to find the school that's best for you. For more advice and information on selecting a college, connect with U.S. News Education on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook .

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When to Visit Colleges

Find the right college for you..

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How to Schedule Your Campus Visits

Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps in choosing a college. It’s best to visit colleges before your applications are due. That way, you can be confident you'd be happy at any college you're applying to.

It's also best to go when the college is in session. You'll see the campus when classes are meeting and day-to-day activities are in full swing.

How to Pick a Date

Here are some guidelines on when to visit. Plan your visit well ahead of time. That way you can make sure you see what you need to see and meet with the people who can tell you what you need to know.

During the Week

Mondays through Thursdays are ideal for visits because you can get a good idea of what campus life is like. Visiting on a Friday may not be as practical. Students, faculty, and staff might be busy with social activities starting Friday afternoon.

High school holidays that fall on Mondays are often perfect opportunities for making college visits. Many colleges are in session on these days─and you won't be missing any of your high school classes.

The Best Seasons

The spring of your junior year is a good time if you've already researched colleges. Spring break is also good if you play fall sports or are considering applying under early action or early decision plans, which usually have application deadlines in November of your senior year.

Early fall is also a good time for seniors to visit. That timing can help seniors narrow their college lists.

After You've Been Accepted

Colleges where you've been accepted might invite you to spend a few days on campus before the May 1 reply date. Many schools do this to encourage students they've accepted to enroll. This is an excellent opportunity to make in-depth comparisons between the colleges that have accepted you. If possible, visit with current students who attended your high school.

However, if you're waiting to visit colleges after you've received acceptance letters, remember that you may have only a few weeks to visit and decide. Most colleges mail acceptance letters in April and expect a reply by May 1.

When Not to Go

Check specific dates with each college so you don't arrive when the campus is deserted. You can call the college or look on its website for the academic calendar to find out when breaks, reading periods, and exam periods are scheduled.

Colleges are not in session during:

  • Thanksgiving weekend
  • Christmas week
  • Winter and spring breaks
  • Summer, unless there is a summer session

College classes don’t meet during:

  • Reading period
  • Saturdays and Sundays

The admission office may be closed to visitors at certain times.  For example, admission officers may be too busy to meet with you in May and April — that’s when they’re reviewing applications. Check with the college.

Adapted from   Campus Visits and College Interviews   by Zola Dincin Schneider.

When is the best time to visit colleges?

The best time to visit colleges depends on individual preferences, but typically, spring and fall are popular seasons for campus visits. In spring, you can witness campuses come to life with blooming flowers and vibrant energy. At the same time, fall offers the opportunity to experience the start of a new academic year and the excitement of campus activities. By choosing these seasons, prospective students can immerse themselves in the college atmosphere and gain valuable insights into campus life.

What’s the best time to schedule an individual campus visit?

Schedule an individual campus visit during weekdays when classes are in session, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the campus atmosphere and get a firsthand experience of student life. Interacting with current students, attending classes, and exploring campus facilities during these times can provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about the college.

How many college visits should I make?

The number of college visits can vary based on individual circumstances, such as the number of colleges you're considering and your availability. However, you’ll want to visit a handful of colleges that align with your interests and goals. This can help you make a well-informed decision about your future education.

At what grade level should I start visiting colleges?

Generally, it’s recommended to start visiting colleges during your junior or senior year of high school. By then you should have a clearer idea of your interests and goals. The college visits will be more purposeful and allow you to assess how well each college aligns with your academic and personal goals.

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How to Plan the Ultimate College Visit Road Trip

May 28, 2021

by Bryan Wendell

Photo by Emily Paine, Communications

When planning a road trip, your options extend for miles in every direction.

You could traverse Route 66, eating only at roadside diners along the way. You could follow the Mississippi River, stopping at historic markers as you go. You could even head straight for Cawker City, Kan., to visit the world's largest ball of twine.

But if your family's vacation planning intersects with your college search timeline, then there's only one type of road trip for you.

With a full tank of gas, the perfect playlist and a well-crafted plan, you'll have everything you need to organize the ultimate college visit road trip.

A college visit road trip, typically planned during summer vacation or spring or fall break, allows families to visit several schools in a condensed period. Unlike some road trips where spontaneity is the plan, college visit road trips work best with careful planning. That way, you'll maximize every moment and get a better feeling for the schools on your list.

Follow the steps below, and you'll be on your way.

Listen to our College Admissions Insider Podcast Episode

Step 1: finalize your list of schools.

By now you've probably created a list of schools that have caught your attention — perhaps because they offer your major, are in a good location or you know someone who had a positive experience there.

Now it's time to make the first cut. You'll want to identify which schools deserve a closer look through an in-person visit. Ask yourself: Am I interested enough in this school to want to spend at least two hours there — plus travel time? If the answer is yes, that's a good sign.

If you still have too many schools on your list, consider assigning each one a grade — 1 to 10 — based on your level of interest. Then determine which grade a school must receive to warrant an in-person visit. Perhaps every school with a 7 or higher makes the cut. Still too many? Raise the floor by another point and count again.

Remember that your cuts aren't permanent. You can always plan later one-off visits to schools you skipped if you think they deserve another look.

Step 2: Group Your Finalists Geographically

Whether your finalists number seven or 27, you'll want to put them all onto a map to see if any natural geographic clusters emerge.

Choose an offline or online solution based on your preference. You could plot the schools as dots on a printed map or atlas. Or you could use a free tool like Google My Maps to create a custom map you can share with family and friends.

With your finalists plotted, try to look for schools you can group together. Find the driving times between schools in a similar cluster. How long will you need to visit all the schools in that cluster? Are there any natural "pairs" of schools — perhaps two in the same city — you could visit in the same day?

Step 3: Make a Spreadsheet

Create one spreadsheet for each geographic cluster of schools.

Make one column for the school's name and another for the address of the Office of Admissions, or wherever tours begin. Make seven more columns — one for each day of the week.

Next, visit that school's Admissions page to see when tours and scheduled visits are offered. Plot that information into the columns on your spreadsheet.

Taking time to create this spreadsheet will save you time when planning your route in the next step. You'll be able to easily see whether your plan to visit School A on Friday, Schools B and C on Saturday and School D on Sunday could even work.

Step 4: Design Your Route and Plan

With all the pieces assembled, it's time to put the puzzle together. Start designing the route so you can visit as many schools as possible without doubling back or going too far out of your way.

To minimize stress and allow yourself time to explore the school and surrounding area — maybe even grabbing lunch on campus and visiting some shops downtown — try to plan one school visit per day. Two in a day is doable, but any more than that and you risk everything blurring together in your mind.

This is also the stage when you'll want to begin registering for visits and tours — even before booking hotel rooms.

While some schools welcome unannounced or walk-in visitors, many require reservations in advance — especially for experiences that have limited capacities, such as information sessions, tours and lunches with students.

You might find that school visit schedules don't align perfectly with your plan, and that's fine. For a few schools on your list, perhaps those a little lower in your rankings, you might need to plan for an unannounced visit.

That might mean you don't book an info session or campus tour but still spend an hour walking around the campus. Many schools, like Bucknell, offer self-guided tours or driving tours for this exact purpose.

One more note about planning your route: Once you've booked your campus tours, start planning other ways to get to know the town. Scout out a local lunch spot, museum or state park to get a better feel for what college life might be like in each community you visit.

Step 5: Maximize Each Stop

During your college visit road trip, make the most of each college you visit. Here are some ideas:

  • Follow the school's social media accounts . A college or university's official social media channels can give you a good idea of what life on campus is like as well as the latest news. If the school has any Admissions-specific accounts, follow those, too. These can be a great way to get to know a school — plus they might alert you to any last-minute changes to campus visit offerings.
  • Ask the right questions . Choose some ideas from this list of 80 questions to ask on your college tour , or come up with your own.
  • Take notes . All those college visits can start to blend together — especially a few weeks after you get home. Prevent that by taking good notes, writing down things you liked and didn't like. You might even jot down some details to jog your memory later, such as what the tour guide was wearing, what you ate or something funny that happened during the tour. Many students say the best time to take these notes is right when you get in the car after the visit.
  • Talk to students . Your tour guide is an expert in answering your questions and giving you a comprehensive overview of life at that school. But, in most cases, they're also getting paid to do that job. To make sure you also get an unfiltered view, ask a few students what they like and don't like about that particular college. It might be awkward to approach a stranger like that, but you'll be glad you asked.

Step 6: Remember That You’re on Vacation

In many ways, a college visit road trip is like a business trip. You're there to complete a task: find out firsthand which colleges feel right.

But just because the trip has a defined purpose doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable, too. In some families, this might be one of the last times everyone gets to take a trip together before you're off to college.

Enjoy the moments you have together. Resurrect an old driving game you used to play as a kid, like finding license plates from as many different states as you can. Schedule some days where you don't visit any schools but do some sightseeing instead. Take turns being the in-car DJ.

College is the ultimate journey, so why not plan a college visit road trip to match?

Reminders and Tips

  • Take the journey with a friend . If you have a friend whose college list is similar to yours, see if your families can take the trip together. You'll have fun, be able to compare notes with your friend and could even save on lodging or gas.
  • Pace yourself . Try not to overschedule or plan unrealistically. For example, if a campus tour ends at 5 p.m., you might not want to drive three hours to get to the next hotel in the city where you have a 9 a.m. tour the next day.
  • Stay hydrated . You'll be outside a lot during this college road trip, so prepare like an athlete. Eat high-energy food, drink lots of water and get some rest.
  • Take pictures . Just like notes can jog your memory (Step 5), pictures can have the same effect. After each visit, take a few minutes to move your favorite photos into a special album on your phone. When you get home, you'll have a complete slideshow you rewatch as needed.
  • Talk to your high school counselor . Check with your high school's college counselor, if there is one. This person might have some road trip planning trips specific to your area. There's a good chance someone from your high school has planned a trip similar to the one you're about to enjoy.

Portrait of Ashlyn Ramos

We did this whole marathon road trip — two or three schools a day, all over the East Coast. A lot of the schools were more in the city, but I got to Bucknell and I thought the town was so cute.

Ashlyn Ramos ’22, a computer science major from Sammamish, Wash.

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College Visit Checklist

Are you getting ready to visit colleges in person or plan on “visiting” them virtually? Wondering how you approach and prepare for this? As with so many things in life, planning is the key to success. Visiting a college, be it virtually or in person, is no different. Here are some tips to get the most from your visits.

What to Do BEFORE Your Actual Visit

Let’s begin with what you should do before you get in the car and begin your drive to that college that has made it onto your list of potential schools to which you may want to apply. Your anticipation is palpable, the excitement mounting, but have you done your due diligence at home, in front of your computer, to fully understand this institution prior to even deciding to spend the time to visit? You should do so.

Below is a list of varying ways you can research schools to see if they make the initial cut to even warrant a visit. Remember, the college search is a journey. Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life to date and this is where you will decide to make your home away from home for at least 4 years. Do your homework. It’s never more important that you do so.

Your Pre College Visit Planner To-Do List

1. visit the college’s website and assess the programs offered and curriculums for a best academic match..

Even if you don’t know what you want to major in (and in reality more than 80% of students don’t) it will provide you with a view of what the school offers and if it appeals to you

2. Take virtual tours.

Go to YOUVISIT.com, CAMPUSTOURS.com, CAMPUSREEL.org, and type in your search bar “YouTube “X” College Campus Tour”. Some of these won’t be the most produced or prettiest videos, but they tell the real story. Note: some schools now have virtual tours that you sign up for on their website. This can show demonstrated interest and provide a perspective that the other virtual tours do not. How does the school present themselves? What are they highlighting?

3. Sign up for virtual information sessions.

Check to see if the schools in which you are interested offer virtual information sessions – if so, attend them. Again, it provides insight to what the college wants to tell you about the school and many times they will also have information sessions on specific programs. You may also be able to ask questions, so be prepared and do your research prior to the session to understand what it is you want to get out of this information session.

4. Read the Fiske summary.

You can purchase the book or, if you have access to a program that includes this, read it. It is filled with valuable information. Fiske is an independent company that provides varying perspectives on approximately 400 colleges. How does the school rate socially and academically? What are their strongest programs? Who are their crossover schools? There is a 10 minute review on the school, it’s personality, social life, vibe, academics, professors and more. Note that not all schools have a Fiske summary.

5. Research school overviews.

Go to colleges.niche.com and unigo.com for an overview providing different perspectives from current students on varying topics such as academics, dorms, food, social life, outside environment, and more. Caution: don’t take any one comment for fact! Look for trends.

6. Follow social media and sign up for emails.

Subscribe to each college’s social media platforms and for the admissions contact list – and open those emails and follow the links, which is one way of indicating demonstrated interest and for you to view what the college is communicating to prospective and current students.

Make Your Planning Even Easier with Our College Visit Checklist

So now that you have decided which schools you want to visit, in person. As you begin to head on your journey to get there, you wonder what do I look for when I am on campus? Well, Signature College Counseling has come to the rescue! We have an online College Visit Checklist form, which is phone and tablet ready, that covers all aspects of your visit (see link below to access it). I always tell my students and families that you have to look deeper than the well manicured landscaping and architecturally beautiful buildings to understand if this is the school for you. Our Campus Visit Checklist covers all of the topics listed below AND also provides a space at the end for you to enter your comments and thoughts. This submitted form can be sent to 2 emails of your choosing. When you receive it file it in a folder in your email titled “Campus Visits”. In addition, take photos and file those in an album on your phone with the title of the school name. This way you can always go back and revisit your thoughts and pictures. There are no required fields, other than your email, but what these questions do is allow you to become aware of all the varying touch points when on campus. NOTE: make sure you let the person who is presenting at your information session or tour guide know that you are not texting but taking notes on your phone.

What Our College Visit Checklist form covers:

• Preparing and planning for your visit (which we covered above) • School facilities • Academics • Current environment • Outside environment • Admissions • Does this college fit me? Note: if you complete nothing else, answer this question! Click here for Signature College Counseling’s Planning and Visit Checklist

I wish you good luck on your college search journey to find the right set of colleges for you and hope this planner helps you prepare for and track each campus visit.

Looking for help with the college search and application process? We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search , applications and essays to interview prep , financial aid consultation and final school selection .

Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946 . We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.

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BREAKING: Denver Broncos release quarterback Russell Wilson

Biden administration cancels student loans of more than 150,000 borrowers under new plan

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday is canceling $1.2 billion in student debt for a bout 153,000 borrowers who took out relatively modest student loans and have been repaying it for the last decade or more.

A borrower can qualify for the forgiveness if they're enrolled in the administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan and "have been making at least 10 years of payments, and have originally taken out $12,000 or less for college," a White House fact sheet said. It also said that "for every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments."

Demonstrators march from the Supreme Court to the White House after the court stuck down President Biden's student debt relief program on June 30, 2023.

As an example, the fact sheet said, "a borrower enrolled in SAVE who took out $14,000 or less in federal loans to earn an associate’s degree in biotechnology would receive full debt relief starting this week if they have been in repayment for 12 years."

Those who receive the relief are expected to receive an email with a message from President Joe Biden saying, "I hope this relief gives you a little more breathing room."

"I’ve heard from countless people who have told me that relieving the burden of their student loan debt will allow them to support themselves and their families, buy their first home, start a small business, and move forward with life plans they’ve put on hold," the email says.

The White House said Wednesday that the relief provided under the plan, which was launched last summer , was originally planned for July and the loans are being canceled about six months early.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told reporters Tuesday that the forgiveness will happen automatically and brings the total amount of student debt canceled by the Biden administration to nearly $138 billion for nearly 3.9 million borrowers.

"These are historic efforts that reflect the president’s commitment, again, to deliver as much relief as possible to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible," he said. "Bottom line is this: We’re providing real, immediate breathing room on an unacceptable reality where student loan payments compete with basic needs, like putting food on the table and accessing health care."

The Department of Education plans to directly contact other borrowers next week who are also eligible for early relief but are not enrolled in the SAVE plan, the White House said.

Biden said 7.5 million people are now enrolled in the plan of the 30 million who are eligible . The debt relief program was introduced last year after the Supreme Court  struck down Biden’s original student debt relief program , which aimed to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for about 43 million borrowers.

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Rebecca Shabad is a politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington.

Tara Prindiville is a White House producer for NBC News.

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

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The Bartlett Development Planning Unit Virtual Open Day

19 March 2024, 2:00 pm–3:00 pm

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Join us for a virtual open day where you can experience what it's like to be a student at The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) with a taster lecture from Director of the DPU, Professor Michael Walls.

This event is free.

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What is it like to be a student on a postgraduate degree at  The Bartlett Development Planning Unit  (DPU)? 

In this event, which will take a virtual Zoom webinar format, you will gain a preview into a postgraduate lecture with  Professor Michael Walls , who will share with you:

  • How you can put the theory of urban development into practice with the DPU’s annual overseas practice engagements,
  • Scholarships and funding opportunities to support your studies, including the DPU70 Scholarships, and
  • The importance of studying sustainable development in the Global South. 

Professor Michael Walls Michael is Director of UCL's DPU, and Professor of Development Politics and Economy. He lectures in 'market-led approaches to development' (a module titled 'Society and Market: Private Agency for Development').

At the end of the taster lecture, we will have a Q&A (question and answer) session where you will have the opportunity to ask Michael your questions about the content of  our postgraduate courses  you'll be learning when you come to study at The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, how you can put the theory of urban development into practice with our annual overseas practice engagements, and about scholarships and funding opportunities to support your studies.

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Lt. Gov. Davis talks Shapiro’s investment in higher education during visit to Erie

The Shapiro-Davis Administration is working to fix decades of disinvestment in post-secondary education for Pennsylvanians.

The lieutenant governor made an appearance at the Erie County Community College to share the plan. According to the administration, this plan unites public universities under a new governance structure and caps tuition costs for eligible students.

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor made a visit to Erie County Community College Wednesday to recognize the work being done in the state higher education system.

This is in response to the governor releasing his recent budget that proposes a 15 percent increase to the state’s investment in colleges and universities.

That’s $975 million for our community colleges and the Pennsylvania state system of higher education universities.

“We spent a lot of time over the last year building consensus, bringing folks together and putting out a produce that we thought benefits both the state schools system and our community colleges with the idea of making Pennsylvania more competitive,” said Austin Davis, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Governor Davis said that Pennsylvania ranks 49th out of the 50 states in spending on higher education and 48th in affordability.

Students across the commonwealth carry some of the largest debt load per borrower in the nation. On top of that, the state seeing a drop in enrollment.

The administration believes that the state deserves better and has set up this new ‘blueprint’ for growth and prosperity for decades to come.

“Lieutenant Governor Davis as well as Governor Shapiro have been amazing here, really focusing on some effort in northwest Pennsylvania. That’s great because sometimes we feel forgotten up here,” said Dr. Christopher Gray, president of Erie County Community College. “They’re really reliant on us in Harrisburg when they are asking for input on education policy.”

During his visit, the lieutenant governor had the opportunity to hear success stories from students who decided to make EC3 a part of their journey.

“It is possible to dream big and make that dream a reality,” said Tara Murphy, Erie County Community College graduate. “Being able to earn credits for college in a way that was affordable and accessible made this possible for me.”

In order to implement their plan, the lieutenant governor said they couldn’t get it passed through the legislature alone.

“As we go through the budget process in Harrisburg through June I’d encourage folks in the community in erie who are worried about college affordability to reach out to their legislators and let their voices be heard,” Davis went on to say.

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The lieutenant governor hopes this plan is laying the foundation to make Pennsylvania a national leader.

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Lt. Gov. Davis talks Shapiro’s investment in higher education during visit to Erie

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  26. Lt. Gov. Davis talks Shapiro's investment in higher education ...

    The lieutenant governor made an appearance at the Erie County Community College to share the plan. According to the administration, this plan unites public universities under a new governance ...