The virtual tour is the start of your college experience. You don’t have to hop on a plane or take time off school to start exploring colleges. A virtual college tour can help you get a real feel for a campus without ever leaving your room. The key is knowing how to watch, what to look for, and how to follow up with deeper research.
1. Know Where to Find the Good Stuff
Most colleges have a “Visit” or “Admissions” section on their website with a virtual tour link. These tours may include 360-degree walkthroughs, videos hosted by students, drone footage, or narrated guides. Don’t stop at the homepage, look for departmental videos, dorm overviews, and student Q&A panels too.
2. Set Yourself Up Like You’re Really Visiting
Instead of casually scrolling through a virtual tour while multitasking, block out time to focus. Grab a notebook, turn on captions if available, and treat it like a real visit. Take screenshots or notes about anything that stands out.
See: What to Do During a College Visit
3. Pay Attention to Student Energy
Watch how students interact on camera. Do they seem genuinely excited? Are they sharing personal stories or scripted talking points? Student-led tours give you a glimpse into what life is actually like, and you might spot details that resonate with (or turn off) your vibe.
4. Fill in the Gaps with Research
A virtual tour shows you visuals, but doesn’t always tell you what you need to know. Follow up with independent research to dig deeper into majors, student organizations, and academic culture. Use Google to find blogs or videos of unscripted reviews of the individual dorms or classes in your major. Also use Google Maps to look at the surrounding area and get a feel for the community.
We have an article series that gives you all the details on how to Research Colleges.
5. Use Virtual Tours to Modify Your List
Virtual tours are a great way to explore colleges you’ve never considered or even to eliminate colleges from your list. They’re free, low-pressure, and can expose you to a broader range of schools. If a college stands out, you can always plan an in-person visit later. Or maybe it doesn’t have the vibe you’re looking for and you don’t have to waste time and money on an in-person visit.
See also: How to Compare Colleges After You Visit
6. Take Notes You Can Use Later
Whether you’re visiting virtually or in person, impressions fade fast. Write down what you liked or didn’t, anything surprising, and how it compares to other schools. These notes will help you refine your college list.