College touring is exciting for some and terrifying for others. It’s a sign that the end of high school is swiftly approaching and a long, strenuous but magical chapter is coming to a close. The looming feeling of saying goodbye. Goodbye to our teachers, classmates and most importantly, our friends. Or maybe not?

Over spring break, after much planning, my family, my best friend Addison “Addy” Richie and I embarked on our journey along the East Coast to tour college campuses. Although we realized early on that our ideas of the perfect college differed, Richie and I wanted to share the experience.

This trip was about visiting dream colleges, ones we were interested in and ones we didn’t know much about. Touring with friends can be risky, especially if you are easily influenced by each other, but it can also be a great opportunity to talk about opinions and share honest feedback that might be uncomfortable to talk about with parents.

— Marist University —

Stats:

• Acceptance Rate: 62.8%
• Avg. GPA: 3.6
• Test Optional
• Tuition & Fees: $47,750
• Avg. Food and Housing: $21,000
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,545
• Sports Division: NCAA Division I

The first University we visited was Marist College. Richie and I hadn’t heard much about Marist. At first, I worried that the undergraduate population might be too small, but as soon as we arrived, I was completely blown away.

Marist’s campus is absolutely stunning. Perfectly placed along the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, it offered incredible views, and the architecture was some of the most beautiful I’ve seen on any campus tour.

I was especially impressed with Marist’s study program in Washington, D.C., as an aspiring Political Science major, which allows students to intern and take classes in the nation’s capital. Marist also recently transitioned from a college to a university, meaning it’s expanding its graduate programs and research opportunities.

While I left the tour genuinely in awe, feeling like it might as well have been fate as my favorite animal, Foxes, are the Marist mascot, Richie left feeling more optimistic about smaller schools. Although she appreciated the school, she felt wary about the lack of obvious school spirit. Like many students, including myself, Richie desires big sports games, crowds and an electric campus energy which is something Marist isn’t focused on. Although holding a D1 status, the university is not a big sports hub– something that some are willing to sacrifice and that others aren’t.

— University of Vermont —

Stats:

• Acceptance Rate: 60%
• Avg. GPA: 3.85
• Test Optional
• Tuition & Fees: $44,646
• Avg. Food and Housing: $13,776
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,168
• Sports Division: NCAA Division I

I loved the University of Vermont. Located in Burlington, a lively and artsy city surrounded by the Green Mountains, the school has a relaxing, open-minded atmosphere that I really connected to. UVM is obviously known for its strong environmental science and research programs, having a strong emphasis on sustainability and student involvement.

Richie and I both felt it was a place where we could grow both academically and personally, knowing that what we were a part of would make a difference.

Something special about UVM was its learning community dorm model. Students can dorm in themed housing based on their specific interests. On the tour, Richie and I saw wellness dorms which featured their own gym and scheduled wellness activities. I thought it was such a creative way to meet people beyond your coursework.

Richie, on the other hand, was not a fan of the cold. Burlington temperatures can be intense which didn’t make Richie ecstatic as someone who prefers Southern school temperatures.

— University of Massachusetts —

Stats:

• Acceptance Rate: 64%
• Avg. GPA:
• Test Optional
• Tuition & Fees: $41,639
• Avg. Food and Housing: $9,432
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,936
• Sports Division: NCAA Division I

UMass Amherst honestly surprised us both. In the best way possible. We had heard lots of talk about how the campus was “ugly”, but that couldn’t be further away from the truth. Granted, when we first drove into Amherst, there was a definite brutalist architecture vibe from the outside. But once the tour started, our perspectives totally changed.

Inside the main campus, UMass is actually beautiful. There’s loads of open green space, a mix of modern and beautifully traditional buildings, and a real sense of community. Though maybe just our luck, UMass was the first college that had the bustling, electric campus Richie and I were both looking for.

For Richie, an infamously picky eater, the dining options are a dream come true. UMass is nationally ranked for its food and sits at #1 in campus dining according to the Princeton Review.

One thing that stood out to me was the energy of the tour guides. Both were seniors, clearly passionate about the university and made me feel like I could genuinely see myself there. They talked about their strong academic support programs and a massive range of student activities. Richie was so impressed that she bought her first school merch on the trip, cold weather and all.

UMass was the first university that checked both our boxes: diverse, socially and academically strong. It’s big, but not overwhelming. It was encouraging to see so many different types of people all seemingly finding their place there.

— Boston University —

Stats:

• Acceptance Rate: 14%
• Avg. GPA: 3.89
• Test Optional
• Tuition & Fees: $71,372
• Avg. Food and Housing: $19,970
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,926
• Sports Division: NCAA Division I

Seeing Boston was liberating. BU has been my dream university for as long as I can remember. I used to think I wanted New York City as I feel at home among the buzz, the skyline and the unexpectedness. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the lack of a true campus and the chaos of NYC isn’t what I want for my college experience. So I was nervous I’d have the same realization about Boston. Luckily, it didn’t.

Richie, a fellow Boston fan, despite the both of us being hardcore Yankees loyalists, was excited too. The city felt like a chiller, cleaner, and safer NYC, with a similar energy and room to breathe. By the time we got to the tour, we were already falling in love.

BU’s campus is definitely urban… and linear. You won’t find the traditional quad, but somehow it actually makes it more welcoming. Having limited greens for students to lounge on made the available ones more populated and created an exciting feeling of community. The streets were busy with students, each impressing with their individualistic style.

I expected to feel uneasy about the lack of structure, but instead, it felt freeing. Richie and I both agreed it felt like a place you could become whoever you wanted to be.

Of course, academically, BU lived up to its reputation. Their study abroad programs– some of the best offered in the country– offer full semester options in places like London, Sydney and Paris.

Although it’s a prestigious school, it didn’t feel cold or intimidating. Richie and I even saw students laughing outside, smashing whipped cream pies into each other’s faces.

My parents were definitely not loving the price tag, and I can’t blame them. However, for me, the tour was a huge relief. Richie and I left feeling very hopeful about Boston.

— Providence College —

Stats:

• Acceptance Rate: 53%
• Avg. GPA: 3.54
• Test Optional
• Tuition & Fees: $63,400
• Avg. Food and Housing: $17,150
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,363
• Sports Division: NCAA Division I

Providence College wasn’t on our original list. We stopped by while in town so my dad could show Richie and his alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design. Richie and I hadn’t heard much about Providence before, but when we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. The campus was beautiful with classic collegiate architecture.

We visited the day before Easter, so the campus was quiet, and we didn’t get a strong sense of day-to-day student life. However, we did run into a Canadian student who was kind enough to chat with us. She told us she absolutely loved it there. Although it’s a smaller college, she said it was easy to make feel large thanks to the tight-knit and lively community.

Providence is known for its close student-faculty relationships. It’s also a catholic college, which may appeal to some students and could potentially feel limiting for others, depending on what you’re looking for socially and culturally.

Since we didn’t get to experience a full tour, there’s still a bit of mystery around the school for us but visually, it left a lasting impression. Richie and I both agreed it’s a school we’d want to learn more about.

— Final Thoughts —

If there’s one thing Richie and I learned from college touring, it’s that there’s no one-size-fits-all. It’s completely okay to find yourself drawn to places that are totally different than what those closest to you want. There’s no right answer, it’s what feels right to you.

Heading into this trip, Richie and I were nervous that our opinions might influence each other and that we’d feel pressure to agree when we didn’t. But luckily, we really didn’t have to worry. We followed our instincts and ended up liking some very different things which turned out to be more fun than frustrating.

If a college tour with a close friend is in the cards, it’s worth doing. It becomes less about making choices and more about supporting each other in one of the biggest decisions so far.

College decisions can be overwhelming. But somewhere out there is a campus that sparks a gut feeling, a sense of belonging. With a little help from the right friend, everything else will start to make sense.