A college exposure trip is more than just a chance to visit a campus; it’s designed to give students an in-depth look at different types of colleges and universities. These trips help students understand the many options available and experience aspects of campus to find out what they do and don’t like before they submit an application.

The college search can feel overwhelming. By visiting schools of different sizes, in different urban, suburban, or rural locations, and with different academic offerings, students can start to identify what matters most to them. Exposure trips give students the information and experience to think about their next steps.

All About a College Exposure Trip

 Why should I go? 

To give students a sense of the variety in school size, geographic location, and type (eg. college vs. university), and to build their college vocabulary.

When should I go?

College exposure trips at Holderness take place during Fall Parents’ Weekend, Mid-Winter Break, and March Break. To keep the experience manageable, we never visit more than two schools per day or more than three consecutive days in a row. Any more than that, and the trip can become overwhelming, and schools start to blend together.

Families can take both official and informal tours, but registering with college admissions is always recommended—it’s a small but important way to demonstrate interest, and they may have suggestions for relevant off-campus places to visit.

How many schools should I visit?

No more than two per day for no more than three days in a row. Make sure you are selecting a variety of schools in size, program offerings, and location, not just the ones you think you’ll like.

Should I schedule an official tour, or can I visit on my own?

It can be great to have a family friend tour with you or do the self-guided tour, but always register to demonstrate interest.

 Lessons From the Road 

What do students really take away from these trips? A lot more than just campus brochures. Here are some of the lessons learned:

Academic & Campus Insights

• The difference between a college and a university
• Direct entry programs vs. liberal arts pathways
• Housing styles: doubles, quads, suites, apartments, even themed communities
• Opportunities for study abroad and accelerated degree programs
• Which schools allow flexibility to change majors
• Specialized offerings like a pre-med advising track or access to a Bloomberg terminal

Cultural & Practical Discoveries

• What it’s like to attend a Catholic school as a non-Catholic
• How dorm culture shapes campus life, including options like wellness housing and expanded weekend programming
• How political activism shows up in real student life

City Smarts & Subway Skills

• Mastering Metro North and subway swipe cards, and learning that the subway has its own entertainment
• Discovering that some restaurants are cashless
• And yes—finding the Starbucks on campus can be its own small victory
• The best off-campus restaurants and hangouts

College exposure trips allow students to get a more in-depth look at various schools, even if that particular school isn’t on their list. It’s about finding out what you do and don’t like and discovering other things you didn’t know you were looking for.

From classroom offerings to campus culture—and even subway survival skills—these trips help students build the confidence and curiosity they’ll need for the journey ahead.

About the Author

Kelsey Berry
Director of College Counseling

Kelsey joined the Holderness community in 2011 as a history teacher and coach. After a brief stint away, she returned in 2012. She served as the History Department Chair, then worked for five years as the Director of Teaching and Learning. In 2022, she started leading the College Counseling Office. She lives in the Pichette dorm with her two small children, her husband, Mike Carrigan (incoming Dean of Faculty and physics teacher).