Five campuses, 1,800 miles, 4 plane tickets, 3 tanks of gas — and lots of meals out. Depending on which schools you're considering, campus visits can really add up. And though they might be touted as something you absolutely shouldn't miss, they aren't always possible. If cost or time constraints preclude you from taking a trip to campus, don't despair. There are a few non-traditional ways to visit which will enable you to make a final decision. They can't entirely replace the real thing, but they can help broaden your perspective on a college and fill in some of the blanks.

Virtual reality comes home
If you can access the Internet, you can take a virtual tour of almost every campus in the country. Hundreds of schools instantly link you to photographs, facts and figures, and plenty of other information ranging from course syllabi to cuisine. There are even some that offer 360-degree virtual tours from the comfort of your armchair.

Of course, just as travel brochures won't let you hear the traffic on the Champs-Elysées or feel the warm sand of Waikiki, photos found on typical Web pages can't compete with a real stroll through the library or dining commons. However, you can access many student publications on the Web, and you may find them a more telling resource about a school's culture and social climate.

Make the scene by screen
Most colleges put a lot of time and energy into developing recruiting videos t...

Author: Amy Ambler

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