Even if you’ve taken a guided tour or listened to an admissions officer talk about a school, overnight college visits can show you a completely different side of a university than what you see on a daytime campus tour.

Staying at a college overnight is a great opportunity to live in the dorms, eat cafeteria food, and see what students do in their free time and when they’re just hanging out. Checking out the social life at a college can greatly affect your impressions and ultimately help you choose your home for the next few years.

Still wondering whether an overnight college visit is right for you? Think about these frequently asked questions:

Why stay at a college overnight rather than visit during the day?

Daytime campus visits offer a lot of possibilities to prospective students, and can give you a good sense of how the college runs and what the facilities are like. But overnight visits let you get closer to the students and find out for yourself how you would fit in with them.

On your overnight college visit, you’ll be able to participate in campus activities, listen to what current students talk about, and check out the nightlife in the surrounding town. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to ask students any questions you have, and they can give you honest answers!

You might also consider an overnight visit if you’re submitting an early decision application to a college. Spending time at the college overnight and seeing how students interact can make you feel more comfortable about making a commitment to one school.

What should I bring on my overnight visit?

Bring a pillow and sleeping bag with you on your college overnight stay – your host might have an air mattress or couch you can sleep on, but it’s best to be prepared for sleeping on the floor.

You’ll also need pajamas, a change of clothes for the next day, and whatever toiletries you need to get ready in the morning. And don’t forget a towel!

Keep a book or some homework in your suitcase as well. You might have some downtime on your overnight visit, and you want to stay caught up in your own classes!

What will happen when I get there?

On an overnight visit, the college will match you with a student who will host you in his or her room for the night. Your host may take you to a campus dining hall to have a meal, and might show you around campus or ask what activities you prefer.

If you’re particularly interested in an activity – like a singing group or debate team – ask your host if there’s a meeting you can attend during your stay at the college overnight. Most college activities, clubs, rehearsals, practices, and parties will be open to you, and your host will probably be able to find out where to go.

What if my host is busy?

You might want to just follow your host to see what a typical night is like at the college, or chat with your host and his or her roommates. But keep in mind that even if you don’t have school the next day, your host might have schoolwork or an activity that takes up the evening.

If your host is busy on your overnight college visit, ask him or her to introduce you to a friend who shares some of your interests. You might learn even more about the areas of the college that interest you.

In addition, you also can walk around the college on your own to make sure you feel safe and get comfortable talking to other students.

It’s easy to judge a whole college by your one host. Remember to keep an open mind and observe what’s going on outside of your host’s room on your overnight college visit. You can still have a great time and learn a lot about a college even if your host is busy.

How can I schedule an overnight college visit?

Because overnight trips require more than a full day, wait to schedule your overnight college visit until you’ve narrowed down your top choices to a few schools. Check out the schools’ admissions websites to see what days the colleges host prospective students overnight.

Colleges usually have limited availability for overnight stays, and their schedules might be full. If so, talk to some students during your daytime visit and spend time getting to know the campus. Although an overnight college stay can tell you a lot about a school, a daytime visit can be much more than a guided tour if you make an effort to explore!

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