How to Get the Most from Your College Campus Tour: Thinking Through the Right Questions

Summary

• Learn how to make the most of your OLLU campus tour by thinking about what matters most to you.
• Discover how visiting in person helps you compare colleges in San Antonio with confidence.
• See how OLLU’s personal attention, small classes, and $1,000 visitation scholarship make a difference.
• Find out how to connect with admissions, counseling, and even sit in on certain classes during your visit.

 

Why It’s Worth Preparing Before You Visit

Visiting a college campus is exciting, but it’s also one of the most important steps in choosing where you’ll spend the next few years of your life. When you tour Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), you’ll get a real feel for the community, the classrooms, and the support systems that help every student thrive.

The best tours don’t just happen, but instead are shaped by your curiosity. Before you arrive, take a few moments to think about what truly matters to you in a college: class size, career readiness, community, or campus life. When you know your priorities, you can focus on what will help you feel at home and confident in your decision.

 

Start with What You Value Most

Every student has different goals. For some, it’s preparing for a career or graduate program right after earning their degree. For others, it’s finding a place where they’ll be supported personally and academically.

At OLLU, success begins with individual attention— an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures you’re known by name and supported by professors who care about your progress. As you tour classrooms and academic buildings, think about how that kind of connection might help you grow. Ask yourself: Can I see myself learning here? Will I have the space to ask questions, collaborate, and be challenged in the right ways?

When you approach your tour with those thoughts in mind, you’ll notice details that speak to fit, like classroom energy, how students interact with professors, and the sense of community that defines OLLU among colleges in San Antonio.

 

Explore the Resources That Will Support You

Choosing a college is about more than just academics, so asking questions about what support systems exist on campus to help you succeed is important. During your visit, think about the types of support that will make your transition smoother.

At OLLU, students can book appointments with counseling and wellness services, connect with academic advisors, or stop by career services for résumé and internship help. If you’re interested in graduate or MBA programs, ask whether you can sit in on a class during your visit. Seeing professors in action gives you a glimpse of the kind of mentorship and discussion that shape OLLU’s programs.

You might also take note of how approachable staff and students feel. Are people willing to answer questions? Does the campus feel like a community that wants you to succeed? Those observations often tell you as much as any brochure can.

 

Look for the Details That Reflect Opportunity

An OLLU campus tour is also a great time to learn about the many ways the university invests in its students’ futures. For new incoming freshmen and transfer students, the $1,000 Campus Visitation Scholarship is one of those opportunities—a way the university thanks visitors for taking time to experience campus firsthand.

During your tour, ask about the programs that interest you most. If you’re passionate about education, ask more about how OLLU’s teaching programs achieve state certification rates consistently above the Texas average. If you’re drawn to business, social work, or cybersecurity, explore how the university’s community partnerships open doors to internships across San Antonio.

These aren’t just facts, but rather reflections of OLLU’s mission to combine academic excellence with purpose and service. On our campus or elsewhere, asking questions specific to your programs of interest are important when it comes time to make a decision about where to apply.  

 

Turning a Visit Into a Vision

By the end of your tour, you will certainly have seen some of the best buildings on campus, but with the right questions, you’ll also have a clearer sense of where you belong. Write down your impressions while they’re fresh. What stood out? Which moments made you feel excited? Which conversations helped you picture yourself here?

The OLLU visit team is happy to answer any remaining questions before you leave campus or in a follow-up call. And if your visit confirmed what many students already know—that OLLU offers a truly supportive environment among colleges in San Antonio—your next step might be to request information, start an application, or plan a second visit focused on your academic program.

 

FAQs

Q: How can I prepare for my OLLU campus tour?

A: Think about what’s most important to you in a college experience and bring a few key questions about academics, support, and student life.

 

Q: Can I meet with advisors or counselors during my visit?

A: Yes. Visitors can often schedule meetings with admissions, academic advising, or counseling services before or after their tour.

 

Q: Is there a scholarship for visiting campus?

A: Yes. New incoming freshmen and transfer students who complete an official visit may qualify for the $1,000 Campus Visitation Scholarship.

 

Q: Where can I schedule my campus tour?

A: Start your registration through the Individual Campus Tour Form or explore all options at Visit OLLU.