11 Amazing College Fly-In Programs So You Can Visit the Colleges of Your Dreams

Participating in college fly-in programs offers several benefits for prospective students, here are some great options!

College fly-in programs offer prospective students a unique opportunity to experience campus life firsthand, explore academic programs, and connect with faculty, staff, and current students. Whether you're a high school junior starting your college search or a senior finalizing your decision, understanding the benefits and opportunities offered by fly-in programs can provide valuable insights and guidance as you navigate the college application process.

These programs, typically hosted by colleges and universities, provide an immersive experience that goes beyond campus tours and information sessions. In this blog post, we'll delve into the details of college fly-in programs, their benefits, and how they work plus tips for making the most out of these experiences.

Fly-in programs offer a glimpse into the transformative college experience, and they empower students to envision their futures in higher education. Here are some great fly-in programs that you can browse through.

This post is all about great college fly-in programs.

1. Macalester College

I believe the Macalester College Multicultural Fly-in program is for admitted students. It happens in the spring and is a great way to tour the school before you have to make a college decision. Since it's for admitted students I don't think there is a full formal application like some of the fall fly-in programs.

Macalester is a great school and its multicultural fly-in program is just another thing that sets the school apart from other schools. I went on this fly-in program and it was a great opportunity to see the school, sit in on class, and explore St. Louis and Minneapolis before I had to make a college decision. It made my school decision a lot easier and I felt more confident in the school I chose.

2. Washington University in St. Louis

WashU Preview is a great fly-in program. To be eligible to apply you must be a high school senior attending high school in the U.S. or its territories. Here are the things you need in your application:

• Copy of your transcript showing completed coursework through junior year (unofficial copies – including screenshots – are accepted)
• List of confirmed or expected senior year coursework
• Resume or extracurricular/activities list
• A brief essay in response to a prompt on the application (250-word count)
• School profile (optional)

It's truly a great opportunity to meet professors and tour a school for free, so try to make your application as compelling as possible.

3. Bowdoin College

Exlore Bowdoin is Bowdoin's fly-in program. Bowdoin's fly-in program is for interested high school seniors or other students (US citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students living in the US) intending to enter college in Fall 2025 are welcome to apply. Similarly to Wash U, you need to submit:

• Family/ Household Information
• 2 small essay responses to prompts
• List of confirmed or expected senior year coursework along with a transcript
• School profile (optional)

4. Pomona College

Pomona College has two different fly-in programs, Perspectives on Pomona (POP) and Explore Pomona. Pop is open to all high school seniors but has a focus on underrepresented groups. In order to apply you need to turn in:

• Completed application, including all *Required questions

• An unofficial high school transcript that includes final grades from 11th grade. Students without a full transcript including all final grades from 9th, 10th, and 11th grades will not be considered.

Explore Pomona has relatively similar requirements, but it's nice that you'll have two opportunities to visit instead of just one fly-in opportunity.

5. Tulane University

PreviewTU (PTU) is Tulane's fly-in program. Similar to Pomona any high school senior is eligible to apply however the program is more tailored to students with underrepresented identities, such as those first in their household to attend college, LGBTQIA+, students from low-income backgrounds, students from rural or small towns, and/or students of color.

PreviewTU will reimburse students and one guest up to $500 for their visit and it also has an application or registration process. Preview TU also has a virtual program for people who still want to know more about the school, but can't attend the in-person program. It's a great opportunity to see the school and talk to students and professors in person, for free!

6. Tufts University

The Tufts University fly-in program is called Voices at Tufts. Voices at Tufts also has an in-person and virtual program so that everyone who wants to attend can. Like the other fly-in programs, all high schools are encouraged to apply with a special focus on underrepresented groups.

Tufts will waive your Common Application fee if you apply to Voice at Tufts. This is a huge bonus that a lot of other fly-in programs don't offer. It's an amazing opportunity if you want to apply to Tufts because even if you don't get to do the fly-in program you'll still be able to apply for free.

7. Case Western Reserve University

Diversity Overnight is CWRU's fly-in program. CWRU describes the applicant criteria as high school seniors from diverse backgrounds. AND, The program overlaps with CWRU's fall open house which is a great opportunity. Fly-in programs that overlap with other functions geared toward prospective students are always great because they allow you to see so much more than a fly-in program alone could.

This fly-in program gives you insight into the school and the neighboring city, Cleveland, Ohio. You can assess both the University and the neighborhood to decide if CWRU is the best place for you.

8. Miami University in Ohio

The Miami University Bridges Program is for high school students from underrepresented communities. Most students who are accepted meet the following requirements:

• High school students graduating in 2024
• Minimum of 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or top 25% of graduating class
• Rigorous curriculum
• Demonstrated leadership/co-curricular involvement
• Test scores (PLAN, ACT, SAT, PSAT) are NOT required

The application also requires you to write a personal statement and have your school counselor submit a counselor recommendation. Like the other fly-in programs, the Bridges Program allows you to gain perspective on Miami University before you make any of your college decisions.

9. Colorado College

Experience Colorado College is open to high school students AND gap year students. This is great because if you've taken a year off and you're starting to apply to college you can still visit some schools for free. The criteria to be eligible to apply is that you must meet one of these:

• self-identify as a student from a historically marginalized and underrepresented background
• Eligible for the Pell Grant
• Qualify for free/reduced lunch
• DACA or an undocumented student completing secondary (high) school in the U.S. 
• Identify as a first-generation college student (neither parent obtained a bachelor's degree)

On the Experience Colorado College webpage, they describe the benefits of attending the program as:

• Experience our innovative Block Plan
• Tour the campus and beautiful Colorado Springs
• Chat 1:1 with senior admission ambassadors (current students)
• Connect with our incredible CC faculty and staff
• Learn about financial aid
• Get tips from admission staff on crafting your application
• Engage in affinity conversations to explore diversity, equity, and inclusion at CC

It's a great opportunity especially for gap year students that are looking to visit some college and can't pay to go visit on their own. Like the other programs it is tailored towards high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds.

10. University of Rochester

University of Rochester's Multicultural Visitation Program (MVP) is for high school seniors (including permanent residents, refugees/ asylees, and undocumented/DACA students) who would not be able to visit University of Rochester otherwise. You must submit

• your unofficial high school transcript, a signed permission slip, and
• two short written responses

The talks on the MVP fly-in are centered on:

• First-generation student experience at Rochester
• Academic and other services for underrepresented and low-income students
• University of Rochester’s commitment to equity and anti-racism

This will ultimately help you get a more in-depth view of whether or not University of Rochester is the right fit for you.

11. Emory University

Emory's CORE program is for high-achieving high school seniors who are from first-generation and/or underrepresented cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. BUT, something that is unique to Emory's program is that they will only buy plane tickets for students who live outside a 275-mile radius of Atlanta, Georgia. If you live within that limit, you are expected to drive to Emory CORE. The program is only for students living in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

Here are the application requirements:

• Listing senior year courses
• Submitting self-reported SAT/ACT scores (though standardized exam scores are not required to apply for CORE, preference will be given in the review process to students who submit scores)
• Upload a current high school transcript (which includes 11^th grade) and any other transcripts from transfer schools
• Upload a resume

This post was all about great college fly-in programs.

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