It is often said that visiting a college campus is the best way for a student to get to know more about that school. You get a chance to learn more about the culture, meet current students, and really envision yourself spending the next four years there. But college campus visits can be prohibitive for a variety of reasons. Traveling around the country can be expensive, and it’s not always easy for parents to take off work or for students to spend time away from school. For this reason, some colleges offer fly-in programs.
In this blog post, I’ll cover the benefits of college fly-in programs, how to apply to them, and what to expect when you step foot on campus.
What Are College Fly-in Programs?
A college fly-in program is an opportunity for high school seniors to visit a university and stay in a dorm overnight, with all travel expenses covered by that university. These programs are often designed with students from low-income, first-generation, or otherwise underrepresented backgrounds in mind, as a way to provide equal access to campus tours and other admissions resources.
What Are The Benefits of a College Fly-in Program?
Fly-in programs offer prospective students a more immersive campus visit experience. Prospective students will be able to explore campus, meet current university students, eat in dining halls, attend college classes, and spend the night in a real college dorm, giving them a first-person perspective on what a day in the life of a college student looks like. Many fly-in programs also offer workshops and seminars on college admissions and financial aid. Most importantly, these programs are paid for by the university, so parents can rest easy knowing their student’s travel, accommodations, and meals will all be covered—a value worth hundreds of dollars!
Which Colleges Have Fly-in Programs?
The list of colleges that offer these programs changes every year! Ivy Leagues and other highly selective universities are most likely to offer them year after year, but all kinds of colleges have them. It’s best to do your own research by looking up these opportunities online or reaching out to each admissions office. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some colleges that offer fly-in programs in 2024:
- Amherst College
- Bryn Mawr College
- Caltech
- Columbia University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvey Mudd College
- Johns Hopkins University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Oberlin College
- Pomona College
- Tufts University
- Wesleyan College
How Do I Apply For a Fly-In Program?
Each college fly-in program has a short application process that typically includes submitting a transcript from the end of your junior year and answering a few short essay questions, between 100 and 300 words. Here are some of the most common essay prompts:
- What do you hope to gain, explore, or learn through this program?
- Tell us about an event or a part of an identity that has shaped your lived experience or educational journey.
- How do you see yourself benefiting from or contributing to our diverse college community?
Who can apply to fly-in programs?
Some of these programs are exclusive to students of a particular background (for example, Columbia University offers a fly-in program specifically for students from rural areas or small towns). Exclusive programs are designed to encourage students from some of the most underrepresented demographics on campus to gain personal experience with the college and see if it could be a good fit for them. Most program applications, however, are open to all rising seniors who attend school in the United States.
The added benefit of applying to fly-in programs
As a bonus, applying for a fly-in program is great practice for your college applications! In additional to the Common App personal statement, you’ll have to complete supplemental essays, often with similar prompts and word limits to the ones listed above. Applying and being accepted to college fly-in programs is a great piece of encouragement that lets you know your essays are right on track! But if you find yourself needing a little extra help, consider working one-on-one with one of the college essay experts at HelloCollege.
What Can I Expect Leading Up to My Trip?
Once your application to the fly-in program of your choice has been accepted, you can expect to be contacted either by a representative of the college or a travel agent hired by the college. Make sure to check your phone and email regularly so you don’t miss out on any important updates! The travel agent may need some information from you in order to arrange your flight, as well as your transportation from the airport to campus. Once everything is booked, read your travel itinerary carefully to make sure your personal information is correct and that you know when and where your flight will be. Don’t forget to save your boarding pass to avoid any last-minute stress!
What Should I Bring To A Fly-In Program?
College fly-in programs are usually 2–3 days long, so a backpack or light suitcase should be enough! Check the weather to make sure you’re packing appropriate clothes. You may want to bring one business casual outfit in case you have an interview or a meeting with an admissions counselor. Don’t forget your sleeping bag! You may be sleeping on the floor of a college dorm, so a sleeping bag is key to getting a good night’s sleep after each day of excitement.
You won’t have to pay for much, as your dining hall visits will be covered, but if you want to grab a cup of coffee at a cafe on campus or pick up a college hoodie, a little bit of cash is always a good idea.
What Can I Expect When I Arrive on Campus?
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! When you arrive on campus, you will most likely have an orientation where you will meet other students attending the program and receive important materials for your stay. These will include a map of campus, a schedule of the classes you can sit in on, and a little bit of free college swag, ranging from t-shirts to sunglasses. After that, you will meet your host, a first-year student who will be showing you around campus and kindly sharing their dorm with you.
What Should I Ask My Host?
Your host is a current student who knows firsthand what it’s like to attend your dream university, so ask them all your burning questions! You can ask what they wrote about on their college application, what they do for fun on and off campus, where the best coffee shops are, what the teachers are like, where they work out, and more! If your host has any classes that interest you, ask if you can tag along for one session. Your host can also show you their favorite libraries and study spots, so if you have a little bit of homework to catch up on, you can complete it like a real college student would!
FAQs
Do fly-in programs require application fees?
These programs are free to apply to, and the few schools that do request an application fee will offer fee waivers to families for whom a fee would be prohibitive.
Are fly-in programs exclusively for the student?
Fly-in programs are usually just for the prospective student, but some colleges, like Columbia, extend the invitation to one parent or guardian.
Conclusion
College fly-in programs are an incredible opportunity to experience life as a college student for a few days and start finding your place on campus. When college application season comes around in the fall, your experience with that college will leave you prepared to write in depth about what draws you to that school. And the best part is, all that knowledge will come at no cost to you or your family! If a school you’re interested in offers a fly-in program, give applying a shot! You might come away from your trip with a whole new perspective.
