It’s time to pack your bags! We’ve already discussed what a virtual college road trip is and how to plan one, but did you know there are tools that will improve your virtual road trip experience? Just like you would need a map, spare tire, plenty of snacks, and great music and podcast playlists for a physical road trip, there are things you’ll want to “pack” for your virtual trip. Here are a few must-haves for your “digital suitcase:”

CampusReel

What is CampusReel? It’s a great way to take a student-led campus tour, from the comfort of your own home! CampusReel is a website where prospective students can make an account to explore vlogs produced by current college students from across the US. The site is totally free to use, and you can filter schools by location, type of school (liberal arts colleges as opposed to larger universities), Ivy League schools, etc. The vlogs cover a huge array of topics, from academics and campus life to things like staying fit while you study and the best spots on campus to relax, and are a great way to get a taste of the authentic student experience at the schools you’re considering.

CollegeWise

Want to optimize your road trip? Check out CollegeWise! It’s a data-driven college admissions website with over 20 years experience and a team of independent admissions counselors. Speaking with them about your admissions journey and prospective colleges can help you focus on your best-option colleges—even though you’re not limited by geography on your virtual road trip, your time is valuable, and advice from the pros can help you make the most of it.

LinkedIn

Most people think of LinkedIn as a place to get a job, not apply to college, but this site is more versatile than you think. With a handy search engine and a messaging system, LinkedIn is a great way to reach out to current students, and even faculty, whom you have questions for. Making a profile will also show you “degrees of connection” with different people on the site, so you can find common ground in your messaging. Not only is this a good way to connect with people at your prospective schools, it’s also great practice for networking!

Campus Social Media

This may sound like it goes without saying, but be sure to follow the schools you’re interested in on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok. Not only is this a great way to get fun content, campus photos, videos, etc., but it’s also an important tool for staying up to date with campus goings-on. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, many schools are using social media to announce reopenings, plans for the autumn, and more. Since these can change very quickly, it’s important to keep abreast of them and how they might affect your application plans, or even plans to make an in-person visit if it’s safe to do so.

And lest we forget….

A-List Education offers amazing College Advising Services as well! Our experienced experts are ready and waiting to answer your questions and steer you in the right direction, with knowledge of every step of the application process, from testing to Decision Day. When planning your virtual road trip, think of A-List as your ideal travel agent!

Once you’ve “packed your bags,” your virtual college road trip should be an easy, enlightening, and most importantly, fun and valuable experience!