7 Things You Should Look Out For During College Info Sessions

As a former admissions officer at Washington University in St. Louis, I can tell you that while college information sessions are meant to be helpful, they’re often the least exciting part of the visit. You’re stuffed in an auditorium packed to the gills with your fellow future applicants, following along an old-school PowerPoint filled with jazzy phrases that eventually blend together – academic flexibility, close-knit communities, low student-teacher ratios, and great support systems. While all of that matters, it doesn’t always make it easier to tell one school apart from another.

So if you’ve ever left a session thinking, that sounded great, but I’m not sure why this college is different from the one we left three hours ago, you’re not alone. Part of the challenge is that information sessions are designed to give you a clear, positive overview of the college that will appeal to most students and families. They’re not meant to overwhelm you with detail or highlight the most unique parts of the student experience. Even when you’re paying attention, it can be hard to walk away with a strong sense of what actually makes a school feel different on a day-to-day basis.

For example, if you’re checking out a school known for STEM opportunities but are deeply interested in Comparative Literature, you’re not likely to hear about all the incredible elements of the CompLit community at that college in an info session designed to appeal to the average applicant. That doesn’t mean that university isn’t a good fit—it just means you’ll need to ask more questions about support for the humanities on that campus.

To get the most out of your next round of college visits, it’s important to go in with a game plan for both listening intentionally and asking the questions that matter. Here are seven tips to help you leave your visits feeling more confident about your next steps.

Step 1: Get Curious Before the Visit

Do a little homework before you step on campus. Look for unique traditions, student-led initiatives, or special programs that catch your eye. At WashU, for example, students ran a water balloon Holi, applied for grants to launch social-change projects abroad, had student-owned businesses, and hosted midnight breakfasts and 24-hour study sessions with snacks. We didn’t always have time to highlight these cool experiences during info sessions, but would happily expound upon them if asked during the Q&A. So ask away! Hearing about these experiences in the admissions presenter’s own words can make the college feel more real and give you something specific to focus on during your visit.

Step 2: Pay Attention to What the College Considers Special

Notice the phrases, mottos, and traditions that get repeated. While some phrases will feel repetitive, others are truly unique to an individual school. At WashU, our goal was to know every student “By Name and By Story.” That motto, created by the late Dean James McLeod, was infused into every element of student life—from our admissions office greeters printing individual name tags for visiting families to professors studying photos of incoming freshmen so that students would never feel unseen, even in a large intro Bio class. These signals tell you what the school values and what admissions officers look for when reviewing applications. Highlight and jot down recurring key words or ideas—they’ll help with essays and give you a sense of what makes this school unique.

Step 3: Notice What Doesn’t Come Up

Equally important is what the school avoids mentioning. If sports, research, or certain programs never come up, that absence is a clue about student life. What’s not highlighted can be just as telling as what is.

Step 4: Don’t Overindex on Academics

Your classes matter, but your overall experience matters too. Think about what you loved or disliked about high school. Did you thrive in informal conversations with teachers, or prefer structured, independent work? Listen for signs that the school will support you socially, emotionally, and academically—not just in your major.

Step 5: Get Nitty-Gritty About Access to Opportunities

Colleges will always talk about their incredible opportunities for research, clubs, or internships—but how many students actually participate? As an undergrad at WashU, I was drawn to certain unique clubs, only to realize many had competitive application processes I hadn’t expected, and I was disappointed when my extracurricular slate wasn’t what I’d planned.

Conversely, I was pleased with how easy it was to get involved in undergrad research and found myself in a paid psych lab experience the summer after freshman year without much prior experience—something that wouldn’t have been possible at schools where research is reserved primarily for graduate students. Asking these questions in advance can save surprises later and give you a clearer picture of how much access you’ll have to the activities that matter most to you. Knowing the real odds helps you understand where you’ll have room to explore, grow, and take advantage of opportunities.

Step 6: Don’t Be Afraid to Talk One-on-One

It can be nerve-wracking to raise your hand during a big Q&A, but don’t let that fear keep you from getting questions answered. Admissions officers, faculty, or current students can answer questions that a group presentation never will, so don’t hesitate to ask to meet one-on-one if possible or request a connection via email. These conversations often give the clearest picture of campus life and culture.

A bonus: smaller schools that take demonstrated interest into account will often notice who is asking questions, and that can make a meaningful difference in the admissions process. Even if you’ve had all your questions answered, it doesn’t hurt to come up and say thank you. Admissions officers may meet hundreds of students and families, but they often remember the very small handful that take the time to say hello or make meaningful conversation.

Step 7: Take Meaningful Notes

Don’t just sit there “taking it all in.” Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down what stands out, what excites you, and any lingering questions. Talk to your family after the session to see if your impressions match theirs. Reviewing your notes afterward helps you compare schools and remember details that make each campus unique.