Tours, Overnights, Class Visits

As Colleges That Change Lives and Princeton Review point out, there are plenty of perfectly rational reasons for choosing Southwestern University: top-notch academics (what your teacher meant when he said, ‘Prepare.’); a sense of history (Texas’ first university, established in 1840); unconventional transportation options (viva Pirate Bikes!).

And then there’s the intangible: what is life here really like?  A college visit is a chance to test-drive Southwestern: you might attend a class, talk with current students, meet with a professor, coach or admission counselor, or even stay overnight in a residence hall.

You Plan the Trip, We’ll Plan the Visit

The Office of Admission will make all the arrangements for your visit to Southwestern. To make appointments for individual day and overnight visits or to register for one of our scheduled campus visitation programs, simply call us toll free at 800-252-3166. If you are scheduling an extended visit, please contact us at least two weeks prior to your visit. If you need special accommodations, please notify us at that time.

Individual Day And Overnight Visits

During the school year, you may schedule visits Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Saturday visits are only available from September through April.

The Standard Visit

(approximately 2 hours) may include the following: an information session or personal interview and a campus tour. Student conducted, walking tours are offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 2 p.m. We prefer that you make your appointment at least two days in advance. (Standard Visit tours during the summer months are at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; information sessions or interviews are at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.)

The Extended Day Visit

(approximately 2 to 5 hours) allows for any or all of the above, and may also include a class visit, faculty/coach appointment and lunch on campus. We prefer that you make your appointment at least two weeks in advance.  (Extended Day Visits are only available from September through April.)

The Overnight Visit

includes any or all of the above, plus the opportunity to stay overnight in a residence hall hosted by an SU student. Overnight visits are only available Sunday through Thursday. We prefer that you make your appointment at least two weeks in advance. (Overnight Visits are available only to high school seniors or current first-year college students interested in transferring and are only available from September through April.)

The Saturday Visit

offers an opportunity to see inside a day at Southwestern. Starting the day at 10 a.m., we will offer a Q&A opportunity with current students, a walking campus tour, and ending the morning with an 11:30 a.m. group information session with an Admission Counselor.  We prefer that you make your appointment at least two days in advance of your visit. (Saturday hours only available from September through April.)

The Residence Hall Room Tour

(approximately 30 minutes) allows any new enrolling student to see the residence halls without going on a full tour. Tour rooms are to be used as an example only—we do not have access to specific rooms, so don’t bring the measuring tape just yet!  We prefer that you make your appointment at least two days in advance of your visit. (Residence Hall Room Tours are only available at 2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday from May to August.)

Group Visitation

Southwestern University offers individual appointments to all prospective students and has instated a group policy that is necessary with our limited staff and tour guides. Due to the large number of group visit requests, appointments are made for high school groups students on a first-come, first-served basis. We appreciate your interest in visiting Southwestern and hope we can accommodate your group.

 

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Campus Visitation Programs

You can participate in any of these programs by mailing in your registration card (see PDFs below) to Southwestern University at least two weeks in advance of your visit; by fax at 512-863-9601; or register online by using the “Sign Up” links below. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis and typically fill about two weeks before the program. Programs for the current academic year are listed below:

Pirate Previews (for Seniors)

Monday, October 17, 2011—This program is full.

Monday, November 14, 2011—This program is full.

Monday, February 13, 2012

• Download: Senior Visits 2011-2012 Brochure PDF
  
• Sign Up

Students will have the option to attend classes, meet with your admission counselor and get to know faculty members at a special luncheon arranged just for you.  We will also have a few panels and opportunity to get to know the current students at Southwestern.  If you would like to come in the night before to stay on campus, just let us know in the “special interests” box.

Parents are invited to attend admission and financial assistance presentations and are encouraged to participate in a parent panel, campus tours and luncheon. 

Southwestern Showcase (for Juniors)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

• Download: Visit 2012 Brochure PDF (available January 2012)
• Sign Up
  

Our Spring Southwestern Showcase is a great way for juniors to get a jump on their college search. You can tour the campus, obtain information about admission, scholarships and financial assistance and meet members of our community! Click on the program title to download a brochure for registration.

Admitted Student Day (for Seniors)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

• Download: Admitted Student Day Registration Information (available October 2011)
• Sign Up

Admitted Student Day is designed to give you a final look at SU. Whether you’ve decided to sport an eye-patch as a new Pirate or if you’re still walking the plank, the Admitted Student Day can help answer any lingering questions.  You can tour the residence halls, meet with a financial aid officer and join us at our student organizations fair.

Southwestern Showcase (for Seniors)

September 2012 (TBD: Check back summer 2012)

• Download: Senior Visits Brochure PDF
  
• Sign Up

Want to know what college is all about? Southwestern Showcase offers an introduction to Southwestern and the college search process. From 9 a.m. (okay, so not exactly “College Central Time”) to 3 p.m., learn about: the college application process, choosing a liberal arts and sciences education, campus life from a student perspective and, especially for parents, how to finance a private education.