Thinking about how to condense your dream list of colleges? No worries! Did you know you can visit colleges for free? Visiting colleges in person is one of the best ways to find the perfect school, but let’s be real, traveling to multiple campuses can get expensive. That’s where fly-in programs come in!
A fly-in program is a college-sponsored visit experience that usually covers travel, housing, and meals so prospective students can explore campus at little or no cost. These visit colleges for free programs are also called “fly-in weekends,” “diversity fly-ins,” or “overnight visits” and are often designed for high school students who may not otherwise be able to visit, including first-generation students, low-income students, and students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Here’s The Top Visit Colleges for Free Programs
Amherst College – Amherst, MA
Program: Access to Amherst (A2A)
The programming centers the experience of students from marginalized communities – such as African-American, Hispanic/Latinx American, Native American, and Asian-American students, first-generation students, students from families with limited financial resources, rural, urban Title I schools, and those who may not be able to visit campus on their own. If you are interested in attending, we encourage you to apply no matter your demographic or economic background.
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are African-American, Hispanic/Latinx American, Native American, and Asian-American students, first-generation students, students from families with limited financial resources, rural, urban Title I schools, and those who may not be able to visit campus on their own.
Event dates: September 26-28
Deadline: August 10
Program: Amherst Small Town and Rural Overnight (ASTRO)
The Amherst Small Town and Rural Overnight (ASTRO) offers participants all the activities and opportunities of our Access to Amherst (A2A) program, but with the added benefit of additional activities focused on Amherst’s involvement in the Small Town and Rural Student (STARS) College Network, as well as community and support for students who live or go to school in small towns or rural areas
Open to: Rising high school seniors who live or go to school in a small town or rural area
Event dates: September 25 (Followed by A2A September 26-28)
Deadline: August 10
Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Fly-in Programs for High School Students
Program: Early Opportunity on Native Studies (EONS)
Programming designed to introduce prospective applicants to the Native community in our region and at Amherst College. The Early Opportunity on Native Studies (EONS) offers participants all the activities and opportunities of our Access to Amherst (A2A) program, but with the added benefit of additional activities focused on Amherst’s academic opportunities in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS), and the experience of culture and community for American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaskan Native students.
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian or otherwise have an interest in indigenous studies and communities.
Event dates: September 25 (Followed by A2A September 26-28)
Deadline: August 10
Babson College – Babson Park, MA
Program: Access Babson
Access Babson is designed to support students who have faced challenges to educational opportunity or have limited access to resources in their college search. We’re excited to provide you with a deep understanding of the Babson experience. We’ll help you develop a greater understanding of Babson’s approach to inclusion and belongingthrough conversations with members of our community
Open to: Rising high school seniors
Event dates: September 27-28
Deadline: July 31
Carleton College – Northfield, MN
Program: Taste of Carleton
Apply for Taste of Carleton and get ready to discover one of the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country! Participants in this three-day program will explore our beautiful campus, attend classes with our #1 ranked professors, and learn more about our admissions process and generous financial aid. The best part? You won’t pay a dime
Open to: Underrepresented rising high school seniors who have talent, curiosity, and limited access to resources that would help them explore colleges like Carleton. If travel costs or guidance-counselor availability make it hard to visit campuses, TOC may be a good fit. Applicants must currently attend high school in the United States.
Event dates: October 11-12
Deadline: August 10
Columbia University
Programs: Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC)
Each fall, Columbia Engineering offers an all-expenses-paid, selective program designed for high school seniors who are interested in learning about our unique engineering education. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current Columbia Engineering students, discover the opportunities available in New York City and learn more about the college application process.
Open to: Columbia Engineering offers a fully funded program designed for high school seniors who are interested in learning about our unique engineering education
Event date: October 11-13
Deadline: July 20
Program: The STARS Fly-In at Columbia for Rural Students
Columbia is proud to offer an all-expenses-paid, selective program designed for high school seniors from rural areas and small towns to learn more about Columbia, higher education opportunities and the college experience in NYC. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current rural and small-town students at Columbia, explore New York City, experience elements of Columbia’s century-old Core Curriculum and learn more about the college application process..
Open to: The STARS Fly-in is a fully funded program designed for high school seniors from rural areas and small towns to learn more about Columbia
Event date: October 17- 19
Deadline: July 20
Dartmouth College – Hanover, NH
Program: Dartmouth Bound
The program is designed to give participants an experience of daily college life at Dartmouth. Participants will learn about Dartmouth’s close-knit community and its resources, as well as college admissions and financial aid processes
Open to: All rising high school seniors currently living and attending a high school in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status. We encourage students from underserved communities—including students who are the first in their families to attend college, students from low-income families, students from rural communities, and students from under-resourced high schools or who otherwise lack access or opportunity to programs or resources that would assist in preparing them for college—to apply.
Event dates: July 19- 22 or August 2- 5
Deadline: May 18
Program: Indigenous Fly-In Program
The program is designed to give participants an experience of daily college life at Dartmouth. Participants will learn about Dartmouth’s close-knit community and its resources, as well as college admissions and financial aid processes
Open to: All rising high school seniors currently living and attending a high school in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status. We encourage students who identify as Indigenous* themselves, or have demonstrated an interest in the Indigenous community and/or Dartmouth’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Department to apply
Event date: October 11-14
Deadline: July 13
Davidson College – Davidson, NC
Program: Access Davidson
Davidson College will offer Access Davidson programming virtually this year and will provide prospective students with a glimpse into what makes Davidson Davidson – from the student/faculty relationships to the Honor Code, and perhaps most importantly, to the people. They will host an in-person Access Davidson program in April in conjunction with admitted student programming. There is no separate application to be considered for our spring fly-in program. Admission officers nominate competitive applicants for the spring Access Davidson program as part of the application reading and evaluation process.
Open to: High school seniors who will be the first in their family to attend college, students from rural or low-income backgrounds and/or students who do not have the means to visit campus on their own (either because of geographic distance or financial stress)
Event date: November 8 (Virtual)
Deadline: September 1 (Priority deadline) October 15 (Final deadline)
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Emory University – Atlanta, GA
Program: Emory LEADs Experience
The Emory Leadership, Enrichment, Advocacy, and Discovery (LEADs) Experience offers resources to support high school seniors as they begin the college application process and explore their leadership potential beyond the classroom. LEADs also includes an in-person Leadership Retreat in late September
Open to: High-achieving high school seniors who are either first-generation college students and/or from a rural or lower socioeconomic background, and/or students who do not have the means to visit campus
Event date: October 1- 3
Deadline: July 31
Hamilton College – Clinton, NY
Program: The Home at Hamilton
The Home at Hamilton fly-in program is a two-day campus experience that will provide an opportunity for students to experience our diverse community through conversations with current students and staff, and for participants to learn about the opportunities and resources that are available to our students
Open to: Rising high-achieving high school seniors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who could not otherwise afford to visit Hamilton. Admission to the program is selective, and students who have not already visited campus and are first-generation to college or from families with limited financial resources will be given preference.
Event date: September 27- 28
Deadline: July 7
Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
Program: Senior Fly-In
The program is designed for those considering Hopkins as a top choice, but haven’t visited the campus or want a deeper look at student life
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are either first-generation college students and/or from families with limited financial resources.
Event date: October 12 – 13
Deadline: September 6
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, MA
Program: Weekend Immersion in Science & Engineering(WISE)
WISE begins in the afternoon on Sunday, October 4, and concludes in the afternoon on Tuesday, October 6. (Yes, we know it’s no longer really a weekend.) Participants stay on campus with a current MIT undergraduate student and learn firsthand about academics and campus life. As a participant, you’ll experience our campus community by working with and getting to know current students and faculty. You’ll also attend workshops on the college admissions and financial aid application process
Open to: Rising high school seniors and we encourage underrepresented and/or underserved backgrounds to apply, including students who come from low socioeconomic means, live in a rural area, or might be the first in their family to attend college.
Event date: October 4 – 6
Deadline: August 1
Rice University – Houston, TX
Program: Seeking Opportunities at Rice (SOAR) Program
Programming designed to introduce prospective applicants to the Rice University community
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are first-generation college-bound, come from limited-income families, live in rural or small-town areas, or may face barriers to visiting campus independently
Event date: August 28 – 29
Deadline: June 19
Smith College – Northampton, MA
Program: Women of Distinction
Participants will have the chance to connect with current Smith students, faculty, and other community members. Additional programming will include a series of panels and workshops on academics and student life
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are interested in opportunities offered by Smith College for African American, Asian American, Latin American, Native American, and/or first-generation college students. All students are welcome
Event date: October 16 – 17 or November 6 – 7
Deadline: September 6
Swarthmore College – Swarthmore, PA
Program: Discover Swarthmore
Participants experience Swarthmore firsthand as they attend classes, stay with current students in our residence halls, dine in the dining hall, and attend campus events. Prospective students hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and current students through a series of panel discussions and informal conversations.
Open to: All interested rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students living in the United States), though preference will be given to students who are the first in their families to attend college, students from low-income backgrounds, and students who might not otherwise be able to afford a trip to campus
Event date: September 24 – 26 or October 22 – 24
Deadline: July 7
University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA
Program: Penn Early Exploration Program(PEEP)
PEEP is a three-week workshop-based virtual program designed to help get you ready to apply to college and thrive once you’re there. Admissions staff and members of the Penn community will guide you through the college application process and help you gain insight on finding community and support at college
Open to: Rising high school seniors who are either 1st gen, low-income, or live in a rural area
Event date: July 15 – 29 (Virtual) or August 5 – 19 (Virtual)
Deadline: May 26
Yale College – New Haven, CT
Program: Yale in Motion
Yale in Motion is a fly-in program for 50 high school seniors to travel to New Haven and learn more about Yale’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion.
Open to: Rising high school seniors and priority will be given to students who would not otherwise be able to visit the campus
Event date: October 2 – 4
Deadline: July 1
If you’re a high school senior dreaming of college but not sure how to get there, a fly-in program might be your ticket. Apply to a few, ask your counselor for help, and get ready to take off toward your future.
Do you know a friend who should apply too? Share this post and spread the word!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fly-in program?
A fully-funded campus visit hosted by a college, typically for prospective students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Colleges cover flights, meals, lodging, and all activities at zero cost to the student. Typically these fly-in programs are 2–4 days long, held in the fall of junior or senior year. These visit colleges for free programs are often aimed at first-generation students, students of color, rural students, or low-to-middle income families.
What are the benefits of attending a Fly-in program?
- It’s free — removes the financial barrier of visiting colleges far from home
- Build real connections — meet students, professors, and admissions reps who remember you
- Make a more informed decision — gut feelings about fit matter, and you can only get them in person
- Boost your application — demonstrated interest signals genuine enthusiasm to admissions
- Find your community — especially powerful for students who want to see themselves represented on campus
- Confidence booster — visiting helps turn an intimidating “dream school” into a real, achievable possibility
How to find and apply to Fly-in programs?
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Fly-in Programs, which is filled with the best application tips and how to plan for your upcoming college visit. If you don’t see your dream college on the above list check with your school counselor and check each college’s admissions website directly for fly-in information. Keep in mind most of visit to colleges for free programs applications open in the spring or early summer. Keep abreast of the deadlines and remember that most of the fly-in dates are usually in the fall.
Who should apply?
- First-generation college students (neither parent has a 4-year degree)
- Students from low- or middle-income households
- Students from rural or underserved areas with limited college access
- Students from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds
- High-achieving students who may not have considered selective schools
What do you do when you participate in a visit to colleges for free program?
- Campus tours — guided walks through dorms, libraries, labs, dining halls, and more
- Overnight stays — sleep in the dorms and experience real student life firsthand
- Class visits — sit in on actual lectures to get a taste of academics
- Student panels — candid Q&As with current undergrads who’ve been in your shoes
- Faculty & admissions meetings — face time with the people who shape the school and the process
- Financial aid sessions — demystify scholarships, grants, and the true cost of attendance
- Social events — get-togethers with other fly-in students from across the country
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