How to Visit the Agnes Scott College

Visiting Agnes Scott College is more than a simple campus tourits an immersive experience that offers prospective students, families, alumni, and educators a firsthand look at one of the nations leading liberal arts institutions for women. Nestled in Decatur, Georgia, just minutes from downtown Atlanta, Agnes Scott College combines historic charm with modern academic excellence. Whether youre considering enrollment, reconnecting with your alma mater, or simply exploring top-tier educational environments, knowing how to visit the Agnes Scott College ensures you make the most of your time on campus.

Unlike generic college visits, a purposeful trip to Agnes Scott involves planning around academic rhythms, campus events, and personalized interactions with faculty and current students. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to navigating every aspect of your visitfrom scheduling and transportation to maximizing your time on campus and understanding what makes Agnes Scott unique. By following this guide, youll gain clarity, avoid common pitfalls, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the colleges culture, values, and academic offerings.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Determine Your Visit Purpose

Before booking anything, clarify why youre visiting. Are you a prospective undergraduate student? A parent or guardian? A transfer applicant? A visiting scholar? Each audience has different needs. Prospective students should prioritize meeting with admissions counselors, sitting in on classes, and speaking with current students. Families may want to tour residence halls and dining facilities. Alumni often seek out memorials, historic buildings, or faculty reunions. Knowing your goal helps tailor your itinerary and ensures you request the right resources during scheduling.

2. Research Visit Options

Agnes Scott College offers several types of visits to accommodate different schedules and interests:

• Individual Campus Tours Guided walks led by student ambassadors, covering academic buildings, residence halls, the library, and the campus green.
• Group Tours Available for high school counseling teams, community organizations, or alumni chapters.
• Admissions Information Sessions 45-minute presentations covering admissions criteria, financial aid, and student life.
• Class Visits Opportunities to observe real lectures in subjects ranging from biology to philosophy.
• Overnight Stays Prospective students can shadow a current student, eat in the dining hall, and experience campus life after hours.
• Special Event Visits Open House days, admitted student weekends, and cultural festivals offer broader exposure to campus energy.

Review the official Agnes Scott websites visit calendar to see which options are available during your intended travel window. Some programs require advance registration, while others operate on a drop-in basis during peak seasons.

3. Schedule Your Visit

Visits to Agnes Scott College must be scheduled in advance through the Office of Admissions. Walk-ins are not guaranteed access to guided tours or information sessions.

To schedule:

1. Visit www.agnescott.edu/visit
2. Select your preferred visit type (e.g., Individual Tour & Info Session)
3. Choose a date and time from the available calendar
4. Complete the brief form with your contact details, intended major (if known), and any special requests (e.g., accessibility accommodations, language interpretation)
5. Submit your request and await confirmation via email within 12 business days

For group visits (five or more people), contact the admissions office directly via email at visit@agnescott.edu to coordinate logistics. Groups should book at least two weeks in advance.

4. Plan Your Transportation

Agnes Scott College is located at 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. It is easily accessible by car, public transit, and rideshare services.

By Car: The campus is a 10-minute drive from the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta. Use GPS coordinates (33.7726 N, 84.3497 W) for precise navigation. Free parking is available in designated visitor lots near the main entrance on College Avenue and behind the Smith Hall building. Look for signs labeled Visitor Parking.

By Public Transit: The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates the East Line, with the Decatur Station located just 0.7 miles from campus. From the station, a 15-minute walk or a short rideshare will get you to the front gates. MARTA schedules are available at www.itsmarta.com.

By Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are widely used in Decatur. Set your drop-off point to Agnes Scott College Main Entrance for the most convenient access.

5. Prepare for Your Arrival

Once your visit is confirmed, youll receive a welcome email with a campus map, parking instructions, weather recommendations, and a checklist of what to bring. Heres what to prepare:

• Valid photo ID (required for check-in at the admissions office)
• Comfortable walking shoes (campus is hilly and historic; cobblestone paths are common)
• Weather-appropriate clothing (Georgia weather can shift quicklylayers are advised)
• Questions for current students and faculty (see section on Best Practices for examples)
• Camera or smartphone for capturing campus highlights

Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Check in at the Office of Admissions, located in the Smith Hall building, where youll receive a visitor badge and your tour packet.

6. Follow Your Scheduled Itinerary

Your visit will typically follow this structure:

1. 10:00 AM 10:45 AM: Admissions Information Session (in Smith Hall)
2. 11:00 AM 12:00 PM: Campus Tour (led by a student ambassador)
3. 12:15 PM 1:00 PM: Lunch in the dining hall (optional, but highly recommended)
4. 1:15 PM 2:15 PM: Class Visit (scheduled based on availability and your academic interests)
5. 2:30 PM 3:30 PM: Optional meetings with faculty, financial aid advisors, or student clubs

Each component is designed to give you a holistic view of student life. The information session covers admissions data, while the tour highlights architecture, sustainability initiatives, and student spaces. The class visit is often the most revealingseeing professors engage students in Socratic dialogue or lab work provides insight into teaching quality.

7. Explore Beyond the Tour Route

After your formal activities, take time to wander independently. Visit the Scott Gallery for rotating art exhibitions, the Moore Library for its rare book collections, or the McAfee Green for quiet reflection. Many visitors are drawn to the Agnes Scott College Historic District, which features Gothic Revival buildings dating back to 1907. Dont miss the Memorial Arch at the campus entrancea symbol of the colleges founding mission to empower women through education.

8. Follow Up After Your Visit

Within 48 hours of your visit, youll receive a personalized thank-you email from your admissions counselor. Use this as an opportunity to ask follow-up questions. If youre considering applying, request a copy of your visit notes and any materials discussed. Consider connecting with a current student you met via LinkedIn or email to continue the conversation. Many students maintain these relationships as they navigate the application process.

Best Practices

Ask Meaningful Questions

Visiting a college is not a one-way tourits a two-way conversation. The most successful visitors come prepared with thoughtful, specific questions that reveal the true culture of the institution. Avoid generic inquiries like Is the campus nice? Instead, try:

• Whats a typical Wednesday evening like for a biology major?
• How do students get involved in research opportunities as freshmen?
• Can you describe a time when you felt supported during a challenging academic moment?
• Whats one thing about Agnes Scott that surprised you after you enrolled?
• How does the college support students pursuing non-traditional career paths, like nonprofit work or the arts?

These questions uncover hidden strengthslike mentorship culture, academic flexibility, and community engagementthat brochures rarely highlight.

Engage with Current Students

Student ambassadors are trained to share authentic experiences. Dont hesitate to ask them about their majors, internships, study abroad programs, or even how they chose Agnes Scott over other schools. Their stories are often more revealing than official marketing materials. If you connect with a student who shares your interestssay, environmental science or womens leadershipask if you can stay in touch after your visit.

Observe Campus Energy

Visit during a weekday when classes are in session. Weekends and holidays can feel quiet or empty. Pay attention to how students interactwith each other, with faculty, and with staff. Do they seem engaged? Supportive? Independent? The rhythm of campus life is as important as the curriculum.

Take Notes

Bring a small notebook or use a digital note-taking app. Record impressions of buildings, conversations, and emotional responses. You may visit multiple campuseshaving detailed notes helps you compare experiences later. Note things like: The library smelled like old paper and coffeefelt like a place to think deeply, or The professor paused for 10 seconds after asking a questionstudents werent afraid to think before answering. These details matter.

Visit During Your Intended Majors Peak Hours

If youre interested in psychology, try to schedule your class visit during a psychology lecture. If youre drawn to creative writing, ask to sit in on a workshop. This gives you insight into class size, teaching style, and student participation levels in your field of interest.

Consider the Surrounding Community

Agnes Scott is deeply connected to Decatur. Take a walk around the town square after your visit. Visit local coffee shops, bookstores, and restaurants. Notice the pedestrian-friendly streets, public art, and community events. The college thrives because of its integration with a vibrant, progressive townthis symbiosis enhances student life beyond the classroom.

Be Mindful of Timing

Visit during the academic yearSeptember through Aprilfor the fullest experience. Summer and winter breaks often mean reduced staffing, closed facilities, and limited class offerings. Avoid visiting during finals week or holidays when the campus is quiet or transitioning.

Respect Campus Norms

Agnes Scott maintains a culture of intellectual curiosity and mutual respect. Silence your phone during tours and class visits. Avoid taking photos in private residence hall areas or during intimate student conversations. Be courteous to staff, faculty, and studentsyoure a guest in their space.

Tools and Resources

Official Agnes Scott College Visit Portal

www.agnescott.edu/visit is your primary resource. It includes interactive maps, virtual tour videos, downloadable campus guides, and real-time availability for tours and events. Bookmark this page and check it frequently as schedules update seasonally.

Agnes Scott Virtual Tour

Cant visit in person? The college offers a comprehensive 360-degree virtual tour that lets you explore key buildings, classrooms, and outdoor spaces from anywhere. Access it via the Visit page. While not a substitute for an in-person visit, its an excellent tool for initial exploration or for families planning ahead.

Google Maps & Campus Navigation

Use Google Maps to preview the campus layout. Search Agnes Scott College and switch to satellite view to understand the topography. The campus is built on a hill, so some buildings require stair access. The map also shows nearby amenities: pharmacies, grocery stores, and public transit stops.

College Navigator (NCES)

The U.S. Department of Educations College Navigator provides objective data on Agnes Scott: graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratios, average financial aid awards, and post-graduation outcomes. Cross-reference this with your visit experience to validate claims made during your tour.

Student Review Platforms

While official materials are curated, student-run platforms like Unigo, Niche, and Reddits r/AgnesScott offer candid perspectives. Look for recent posts (within the last 612 months) to get current insights on academic workload, social life, and campus safety.

Agnes Scott Social Media

Follow the colleges official accounts on Instagram (@agnescottcollege), Twitter (@AgnesScott), and TikTok (@agnescottcollege) to see daily life through student lenses. Hashtags like

ASCStudentLife and #AgnesScottStories provide authentic glimpses into campus culture.

Calendar of Events

Check the colleges public events calendar for visiting speakers, art openings, and cultural festivals. Attending one of these during your visit can elevate your experiencemany students cite a single guest lecture or performance as the moment they knew Agnes Scott was the right fit.

Accessibility Resources

Agnes Scott is committed to accessibility. The campus map includes wheelchair-accessible routes, and the Office of Admissions can arrange sign language interpreters or audio guides upon request. Contact them at least five business days in advance to ensure accommodations are in place.

Mobile App: Agnes Scott Campus Guide

Download the free Agnes Scott Campus Guide app (available on iOS and Android). It includes GPS-enabled walking tours, building directories, dining hours, and emergency contacts. Its especially useful during your visit for navigating between locations quickly.

Real Examples

Example 1: Maya, Prospective Biology Major from Ohio

Maya scheduled her visit during spring break after researching Agnes Scotts strong pre-med program and its emphasis on undergraduate research. She attended the 10 a.m. information session, then joined a campus tour led by a biology major named Jasmine. During the tour, Jasmine invited Maya to join her for lunch in the dining hall, where they discussed lab rotations and faculty mentorship.

Maya requested to sit in on a Cell Biology class taught by Dr. Patel. She was struck by how students debated hypotheses without fear of being wrong. After class, she spoke with Dr. Patel about summer research opportunities. That evening, Maya walked to Decaturs historic square and ate dinner at a local caf where two Agnes Scott students were discussing a recent sustainability conference.

I didnt expect to feel so at home in a place Id never been, Maya wrote in her follow-up email. The way the professors treated us like colleaguesnot just studentswas everything I wanted. She applied early decision and was accepted.

Example 2: The Johnson Family Parents of a First-Generation Applicant

The Johnsons traveled from Atlanta to visit Agnes Scott with their daughter, a junior in high school. They attended the information session together, then split up: the daughter joined a student-led tour, while the parents met with the financial aid coordinator to discuss need-based aid and scholarship opportunities.

During the tour, the daughter asked about the colleges global engagement program. The student ambassador showed her a photo of a recent trip to Ghana where Agnes Scott students partnered with local schools on literacy initiatives. The parents were impressed by the level of institutional support for international experiences.

Later, the family toured the campus chapel and the librarys womens history archive. I never thought Id see a college that made me feel proud to be a parent, said Mr. Johnson. Its not just about gradesits about character.

Example 3: Dr. Elena Rodriguez, Alumni Returning for a Lecture

Dr. Rodriguez, a 2012 graduate in English, returned to campus to deliver a keynote on feminist literary theory. She arrived early to reconnect with former professors and walk the same paths she had as a student. She visited the caf where she used to write poetry, the bench where she studied for finals, and the theater where she performed in her first play.

She was invited to speak with a current student writing group. I told them that Agnes Scott taught me how to think, not what to think, she said. Thats why I came back.

Example 4: High School Counselor Group from Georgia

A group of six high school counselors from rural Georgia visited Agnes Scott to evaluate it as a potential recommendation for their students. They scheduled a group tour, met with the director of academic advising, and attended a panel with first-generation students.

They were particularly moved by the colleges commitment to supporting students from under-resourced backgrounds. Ive never seen a school where the faculty know every students nameand mean it, said one counselor. These kids arent numbers. Theyre people. The group added Agnes Scott to their top five college recommendations for the year.

FAQs

Can I visit Agnes Scott College without scheduling in advance?

While youre welcome to walk onto campus at any time, guided tours, information sessions, and class visits require advance registration. Without a scheduled appointment, you may not have access to key areas or personnel. We strongly recommend booking ahead to ensure a meaningful experience.

How long does a typical visit last?

A standard visitincluding an information session, campus tour, and class visitlasts approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Overnight stays and special event days may extend to a full day or weekend.

Is there a fee to visit Agnes Scott College?

No. All campus visits, tours, and information sessions are free of charge. There is no cost to attend class visits, meals, or events during scheduled visit days.

Can I visit during the summer?

Yes, but options are limited. Summer visits typically include self-guided walking tours and brief admissions consultations. Class visits and overnight stays are not available during summer break. For the fullest experience, plan your visit during the academic year.

Are tours available in languages other than English?

Yes. Upon request, the Office of Admissions can arrange for Spanish-language tours or provide translated materials. Please notify them at least five business days in advance.

Can I meet with a professor during my visit?

Yes, but only if arranged in advance. Professors are not always available on short notice. When scheduling your visit, indicate your academic interests, and the admissions team will coordinate a meeting if possible.

What should I do if I have mobility challenges?

Agnes Scott is fully accessible. The campus map highlights elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms. Contact the Office of Admissions ahead of your visit to arrange for a wheelchair-accessible tour route and transportation assistance if needed.

Can international students visit?

Absolutely. International students are encouraged to visit. The admissions team can assist with visa documentation letters if needed for travel. Virtual options are also available for those unable to travel.

Is parking free?

Yes. Designated visitor parking is complimentary and clearly marked. Avoid parking in student-only zones or reserved faculty spots.

Whats the best time of year to visit?

September through November and February through April offer the most vibrant campus atmosphere. Classes are in session, events are active, and student energy is high. Avoid late May, June, and December when the campus is largely empty.

Conclusion

Visiting Agnes Scott College is not just a logistical taskits a transformative encounter with a community built on intellectual rigor, gender equity, and civic responsibility. The colleges commitment to empowering women through education is evident in every corner: from the quiet intensity of the library to the passionate debates in seminar rooms, from the historic arches of its buildings to the modern innovations in its science labs.

By following this guide, youve equipped yourself with the knowledge to navigate your visit with intention and depth. You now understand how to schedule meaningfully, ask insightful questions, and observe the subtle cues that reveal a colleges true character. Youve seen how real students, faculty, and alumni engage with the worldnot just as learners, but as leaders.

Remember: a college visit is not about finding perfection. Its about finding alignment. Does the pace of life here resonate with you? Do the values you witness match the ones you hold? Do the people you meet make you feel seen, challenged, and inspired?

Agnes Scott College doesnt just welcome visitorsit invites them into a legacy. Whether youre standing beneath the Memorial Arch for the first time or returning decades later as an alumna, youre stepping into a story that continues to unfold. And now, youre part of it.

Plan your visit. Ask your questions. Listen closely. And let the campus tell you what you need to know.