Campus Tour FAQs

Will my school consider a trip to visit a college campus an Excused Absence?

It varies from school to school but a recent survey National Association for College Admission Counseling found that a typical high school does consider a visit to a college campus an Excused Absence and allows up to three excused absences per year. Be sure to check your school's policy. Academic Ventures can provide necessary paperwork that may be required for the Excused Absence.

Do I need a guardian/chaperone if I am 18 years or older?

No, but you cannot serve as a chaperone. You would sign up as the "First Additional Student" and list yourself as the chaperone.

What is the minimum age of a guardian?

To serve as a chaperone you must be at least 21 years of age.

Do additional students need to sign-up at the time of the student with the guardian?

No, the first additional students can be added later and the second additional student can be added even after that as long as the guardian is indicated at the time of registration. Please be sure to correctly register as the First Additional or Second Additional Student.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch on campus is included (but not breakfast or dinner). In addition we will have a light snack served on the way down and on the way home.

Is there a discount on items purchased in the bookstore?

We do have a relationship with some of the bookstores around the campuses we service. Please check the itinerary of the specific trip you are considering to see if a bookstore discount is available.

What is the deadline to register for a tour?

You can register for a tour up to 48 hours before the tour is scheduled to depart as long as seats are available. Tours are filled on a first come, first served basis and payment must be received at the time of registration.

What is a typical schedule for the day during a tour?

Click here to see a typical itinerary for the various campuses we service.

What should I bring?

To make the most of your day on campus you should be prepared for the weather. Tours occur regardless of the weather so make sure you have comfortable (and, when necessary, warm) shoes. Be sure you are dressed comfortably and appropriately for the weather. This may mean hats, scarves and earmuffs! Walking tours of campus can be 60- to 90-minutes. Be sure to dress in a way that will let you focus on the campus and not on the weather.

Umbrellas are always a good idea as well.

And don't forget your cameras! Take a few photos to various parts of campus that you saw so can can recall them later. This is especially useful to differentiate campuses in your mind if you are looking at several schools.

While lunch and a snack is included, you are welcomed to bring additional munchies or snacks. However, we do prohibit milk products on the bus as it could ruin the upholstery.

Digital music devices, portable video games, mobile phones and other devices are encouraged.

Can my other parent come on the tour?

Absolutely! We simply treat the additional parent as we do an additional student and can add them for just $59.00. If you are registering on-line just add the parent's name in the additional student field followed by "parent". For example "Joe Smith - Parent". If you are registering via fax then write "parent" after the name in the additional student section of the registration form.

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