How to Get the Most From Virtual Campus Tours
Virtual campus tours are no longer a backup option—they’re one of the smartest ways to explore colleges early in your search. From interactive maps to live student Q&As, colleges now offer a wide range of virtual experiences that can help you decide where you truly belong.
If you approach them with intention, virtual tours can help you narrow your list, confirm your instincts, and even uncover schools you hadn’t previously considered.
Here’s how to get the most value from every virtual visit.
How to Explore a Campus Virtually
Virtual campus tours work best when you approach them with a plan. Instead of clicking through passively, take a few minutes to think about what you want to learn, what matters most to you, and how each school compares to your priorities.
Explore all the virtual options available
Most colleges offer more than just a single virtual tour video. Look for interactive campus maps, live or recorded information sessions, academic department spotlights, student panels, and virtual open houses.
Sometimes the best place to start is right on a school’s homepage. For example, Kean University clearly directs prospective students to virtual visit options designed specifically for applicants.
“Virtual tours offer the next best thing to being on campus. They give students a 360-degree view of campus from anywhere and are a great way to start sorting through options.”
An admissions professional at Kean University
Focus on spaces that matter to you
When touring virtually, don’t just watch—visualize your day-to-day life.
- Where will you spend most of your time outside the classroom?
- What facilities support your major or interests?
- Do the spaces feel welcoming and functional?
Athletes should look for recreation centers and training facilities. Artists and performers should explore fine arts spaces. If you already have a major in mind, find the department building and labs where you’d be learning.
Lindenwood University’s virtual tour, for example, combines videos, photos, and panoramic views that allow students to explore academic buildings, residence halls, and specialized labs in detail.
Pay attention to the details
Virtual tours often include clickable hotspots with extra context—short videos, written descriptions, or audio narration from tour guides.
Don’t rush past these. If a guide were sharing this information in person, you’d stop and listen. The same mindset applies online.
Take notes and ask questions
The biggest mistake students make with virtual tours is treating them passively. Stay engaged and write things down.
As you explore, consider questions like:
- What majors and minors are offered?
- What does a typical first-year course load look like?
- What is the student population like?
- What are the residence halls and dining options like?
- What does student life look like outside of class?
“Try making a pros and cons list for each school. Take notes not just on facts, but on how you felt during the tour. And don’t hesitate to reach out—admissions teams genuinely want to answer your questions.”
Kean University’s enrollment staff
Keep an open mind
Virtual tours aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re designed to help you gather information and move your search forward.
Some schools may surprise you in a good way. Others may look great on paper but not quite click. Both outcomes are useful.
Use social media to connect with real students
Social media can be one of the most powerful tools in your virtual visit experience. Many colleges and student organizations share day-in-the-life videos, dorm tours, move-in experiences, and live Q&As.
Search platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for topics such as “day in the life,” “dorm tour,” or “move-in day.” Student-created videos often provide insights you won’t find on official tours.
“Connecting with current students is one of the best ways to understand what campus life is really like. Many schools offer virtual student chats or ambassador programs where you can ask honest questions.”
A member of Lindenwood University’s undergraduate admissions team, who works closely with prospective students exploring campus life and student engagement, explains:
Final Thoughts
Virtual campus tours may not replace walking across campus—but they can help you make smarter, more confident decisions about where to apply and enroll.
Used thoughtfully, they allow you to explore campuses on your own schedule, compare schools side by side, and connect with real students and admissions staff before ever setting foot on campus.
Colleges of Distinction is here to support you every step of the way—from securing letters of recommendation to choosing a major and finding your best-fit college. Explore more helpful guidance in our Advice section.
Last updated: February 2026. Guidance based on current virtual visit practices used by U.S. colleges and universities.
