<p>I'm an international student and I'll be spending a few weeks in California and the New England area this summer, and since I'll have quite a lot of time on my hands, I want to visit a few colleges that I'm looking to apply to. Do I have to sign up for a tour beforehand for the colleges I want to visit, or do I just turn up on the day? </p>
<p>I understand that the summer is not the best time to visit colleges since I won't have the chance to see students on campus, but my time to visit the States during consequent school vacations is limited and I really want to use this summer to explore my options. Also, since it is relatively early as I will only have completed my sophomore year by this summer, will the colleges note down that I've visited, or do they only do that for students who will be applying this year? </p>
<p>It'd be great if anyone who toured campuses the summer before their junior year could share their experiences. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Some colleges want you to sign up in advance for their tours/information sessions, others don’t. Check the admissions website for each college you plan to visit. You’ll need to do that anyway to see tour/info session times and locations. I think the sign-up is mostly for their planning purposes, so they know how many tour guides to line up; I doubt they’d actually turn you away if you just show up, but signing up is a courtesy to them and to others in the tour group, if the college requests it.</p>
<p>Lots of rising juniors do college tours in the summer. The colleges typically ask you to fill out a card with your name, address, e-mail and such, so they can follow up with additional information. They also use that to record you interest, if that’s something they care about. Many smaller colleges take your “demonstrated interest” into consideration, though this doesn’t necessarily require an on-campus visit, and it’s not as if visiting is going to get you admitted. HYPS-level schools, and more large universities for that matter, get so many applications that they don’t much care about such things.</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>Most colleges do not require that you sign up in advance for admissions related events – i.e. information and campus tours. Check the admissions web sites of schools of interest for scheduled events. During the summer, there are fewer official admissions events than during periods when the college is in session. Often there are none on weekends. Colleges often offer a “virtual walking tour” for those who visit on days or times when there are no official admissions events.</p>
<p>Generally colleges do not take down information regarding who visits, and when they do, they don’t verify the information. The visitor details are added to Admissions related mailing lists. The email that you would then get from the college would then advise you of deadlines, local visits by college admissions staff, and the like.</p>
<p>Signing up for college visits has no impact on the selection process.</p>