How Virtual College Tours Are Making a Difference

College tours are one of the most important factors in finding a university. You can get a feel for the campus, see what buildings and dorms look like, and even understand how to get around.

When you have a list of schools across the country, though, this may be difficult to achieve. In the 21st century, however, virtual tours provide the opportunity to explore college campuses with the click of a button and from the comfort of your home.

Keep reading to learn more about how this technology can impact your school search process!

The Convenience of Virtual Tours

The U.S. spans thousands of miles and offers over 4,000 higher education institutions. With so many options, visiting every campus in person is not realistic. This is where virtual college tours are a game-changer. 

In just a few minutes, you can go from exploring Michigan's Hope College to browsing Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Not only does this technology help reduce the transportation and financial challenges of visiting schools far away, it also allows you to enter and leave at your leisure, spending as much or as little time in a certain area. 

So, what is a college virtual tour? It's a digital experience that replicates an in-person campus tour. Whether it's a series of videos or interactive software, it enables you to navigate the campus virtually. You can explore the interiors of buildings, admire the landscape, and even virtually meet faculty and staff from various programs. Similar to a real-life tour, you'll have an online guide leading you from one place to another, providing insights into amenities, departments, and the historical significance of each location.

For those still deciding what college they want to attend or visit, this convenient tool provides further insight, allowing you to make informed decisions about your academic future or prioritize colleges you want to visit.

The Benefits of College Virtual Tours for Students:

From a student perspective, virtual college tours have plenty of benefits. Let's take a look at the benefits:  

• You can revisit campuses as many times as you’d like.
• You can take your time exploring the campus at your own pace.
• Accessible no matter where you are in the world.
• Free and can eliminate travel expenses to visit schools.
• Allows you to explore aspects of campus that interest you most, including specific departments, sports facilities, or housing options.

Things to Consider Before, During, and After College Virtual Tours 

As exciting as applying for college is, there's plenty to consider before making your choice, like the school's top majors, financial aid information, and whether enriching activities you're interested in are offered, like athletics or study abroad programs. 

Virtual college tours are accessible 24/7 worldwide. However, there's a specific window for applying. You'll want to plan your virtual college tour before you plan on applying to schools. We recommend exploring schools in the summer after your junior year to prepare for application season in the fall of your senior year. Many schools accept applications from September to February, with decision day being May 1st.

It may be helpful to take notes during the virtual college tour. This way, once it’s complete, you can use your notes as a starting point to continue your research. If you have questions, you can email a college representative, and, depending on how much you enjoy the virtual tour, you may want to schedule or organize an on-campus visit to make sure it’s really the right fit.

Where Can I Find Virtual Tours of Colleges?

Through Find Your Christian College, you can discover institutions in specific states and tailor the search to meet your requirements, such as school size and what subjects and sports they specialize in.

It's vital to remember that while most colleges offer virtual tours, not all do. Colleges that offer them often advertise them on their homepage or under the 'Visit' tab.

Finding a college that resonates with you and your beliefs can take time and effort. That's why THE Guide, a free online resource, features easy-to-read information on 100+ Christian Colleges.

Which Colleges Host Virtual Tours?

 Many universities offer virtual campus tours, which are as informative as they are engaging. These tours provide insightful information about the establishment's history and various offerings. 

These are just a few of the Christian Colleges that offer virtual tours: 

1. Cairn University: Situated in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, its top 5 majors include business administration, elementary education, psychology, computer science, and sports management. Take a virtual tour.
2. Charleston Southern University: Found in South Carolina, this college specializes in nursing, biology, education, kinesiology, and business. Explore the campus.
3. Biola University: Nestled in sunny California, its top 5 majors are business administration, cinema and media arts, nursing, psychology, and biological sciences. Experience a walk-through. 
4. Jessup University: Located in Northern California, this university offers financial aid to 99% of its students, who often major in biology, business, kinesiology, liberal studies, or psychology. Visit the 125-acre campus. 
5. Gordon College: Surrounded by the idyllic Coy Pond and lush wilderness, its top 5 majors are psychology, biology, business administration, communication arts, and kinesiology. Take a tour. 
6. Evangel University: Based out of Springfield, Missouri, it specializes in business management, biology, psychology, elementary education, and allied health. Explore the virtual college tour.
7. Fresno Pacific University: Another institution located in California, its top 5 majors include nursing, liberal studies, kinesiology, psychology, and criminology. It boasts another 100 areas of study. Check out the campus. 
8. Geneva College: A Pennsylvanian university founded in 1884, it specializes in business, engineering, computer science, special education, and psychology. View the campus.

Final Thoughts

The innovation of virtual college tours has been a welcomed addition among students and parents. They have become a lifeline for international students and those who cannot visit each of their desired colleges, allowing you to view campuses from Florida to Washington without leaving the front door. These tours not only alleviate the financial cost associated with visiting colleges, but they also foster a sense of inclusivity, connecting prospective students and colleges like never before.