Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Are College Visits Necessary? The Real Impact of Campus Tours on College Choice
Jan 7, 2026
The hosts dive into the debate over the necessity of college visits, with one asserting they're overrated. They explore how technology, like virtual tours, reshapes the college search process. Discussions reveal that visiting elite colleges can create skewed expectations. However, they acknowledge exceptions where campus visits can be beneficial, especially for first-gen students and those facing unique challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for college counselors to reflect on traditional beliefs and adapt their advice.
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Visits Are Often Overrated
- Cathy Chen argues college visits are overrated and not essential to successful college outcomes.
- She points out visits are expensive and privilege-driven, so lack of visits doesn't doom a student.
Technology Replaces Some Visit Needs
- Meredith Herrera notes technology has expanded ways to learn about colleges beyond in-person visits.
- Virtual tours, social media, and admissions reps offer rich substitutes for assessing campus culture.
Touring Only Elites Distorts Reality
- Cathy gives a concrete example of families scheduling marathon visits to elite schools across regions.
- She warns that comparing only top-tier campuses distorts expectations about typical college life.