To really get a taste of New York City and its campus culture - you need to come visit!

Most colleges and universities offer daily or weekly tours, so check out schools' Web sites for visitor information and to plan your itinerary - be sure to find out if you need to schedule tours or admissions interviews beforehand. The timing of your visit can be very important; think about what aspects of student and City life you'd like to observe and try to avoid visiting during final exams, holiday breaks, or when the admissions office is closed. Most people plan visits any time from April to November: Spring and Fall feature campuses in full-swing, while summer in NYC is jam-packed with free concerts, festivals, and spectacular recreation, and schools are still brimming with students taking summer classes or pursuing internships.

Be sure to read up beforehand on schools' academic programs, athletics, admissions, housing, and financial aid, so that you can come prepared with a list of questions. When you're here, try to speak with a variety of admissions staff, administrators, and most importantly, students, to get a better understanding of what life in the classroom and in the community is like. Try to attend a class or a meeting of a club or sports team you might be interested in, or even stay in a residence hall overnight. Explore schools' surrounding neighborhoods: Eat at a neighborhood restaurant, check out housing options and local parks, ask students how they spend their weekends, and try to imagine how you might shape your experience on campus and in NYC.

Above all, you'll get the most out of your visit if you can gauge what your day-to-day life at a particular school and in a particular neighborhood might be like AND it's never too early to consider what opportunities a college and its location will afford post-graduation.

Use the resources below to get help planning your campus visits and to find out how to make the most of your stay in NYC!

NYC Colleges and Universities
Browse a complete list of NYC's universities and colleges, connect to schools' Web sites, and plan your itinerary.

This is New York City
The official NYC tourism site: Access travel & hotel info, check out guides for all interests, and much more!

The City of New York: Visitor Information
Explore all of the excitement the Big Apple has to offer, including parks, seasonal events, historic tours, and fun for the whole family!