Listing of College Open Houses on the East Coast

College Open Houses are extended day events held on college campuses in the fall and spring semesters. Open Houses in the fall are usually targeted toward seniors, however juniors are also welcome. Spring Open Houses are tailored for juniors who start the college search process before their senior year. An Open House differs from a general information session and tour in that prospective students and their parents get a more in-depth and thorough look at what a college is really like. The day’s events often include:

1. a registration and reception period
2. an address by the dean of the university or college
3. a presentation by the admissions office of an overview of admissions criteria, academics, campus, and housing etc.
4. a financial aid office presentation
5. separate information sessions by individual departments, programs or colleges within the university
6. an athletics department presentation and/or opportunity to meet with coaches
7. lunch with current students
8. tour of campus

Open house listings are for select schools on the east coast from Maine to Florida. Should you be interested in Open Houses at colleges in other parts of the United States, go to the college’s website. Next, go to the link for admissions, prospective students, or visiting campus and if a college is hosting an Open House, it will be listed on the website. On-line or telephone registration is usually required, as Open Houses fill up very quickly. Contact the college admissions office directly for more information.

For helpful information on college visits, see College Visits at Collegeboard.com

Note:  Also, some colleges add open houses or other events for visitors, after this list has been compiled or updated. We strongly recommend visiting the college web site for Open House details, as some colleges limit the number of attendees at their events or have other requirements.