Fly-In and Diversity Visit Programs for College Students
Visiting campuses is one of the most important steps in deciding which college is right for you. Many colleges offer campus tours, information sessions, or open houses to showcase what they have to offer. However, you may need more than these experiences to get the full picture of your prospective school.
So, how can you better understand what your college journey may look like? You can sign up for a fly-in and diversity program. These programs give you more time to get a real feel for campus life before you start sending out those applications.
Keep reading to learn about fly-in programs, eligibility criteria, and which ones you can apply for.
What is a fly-in program?
Many colleges and universities aim to diversify their student body by enrolling more students from first-generation, lower-income, or marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds. To encourage underrepresented students to enroll in their programs, these institutions host events focused on culture and diversity.
These overnight or multi-day events, often known as ‘fly-in programs,’ let you experience campus up close so you can get to know the students and faculty who bring the college to life. As a prospective student, fly-in and diversity programs typically occur in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year before you submit your college applications. There are also fly-in and visit programs created to help incoming freshmen decide where to enroll in the spring of senior year.
Where can I find fly-in and diversity programs?
Let’s be honest—traveling to campuses for multiple programs can get pretty expensive, especially if you’re looking at colleges far from home.
To help you find financial aid, check out this sortable list of fly-in and diversity programs offered by host institutions that offer travel assistance for you and your family.
You can view the full list in this window or click ‘view larger version’ in the bottom right corner of the table for an expanded view. The list can be filtered, sorted, or grouped based on the following characteristics:
- Name and location of the host institution
- Intended audience (i.e., prospective, BIPOC, first-generation, etc.)
- Travel funding opportunity
- Month when the program occurs
- Program length
- Application opening and closing dates
Don’t stop the process at this list. Please visit the website of each program you're interested in to complete the next steps or prepare your fly-in application.
Event information will be updated throughout the year, so check back in the late spring through mid-fall for updates. If you have any questions about this list, contact College Greenlight.
If you’re a college and university rep who’d like to submit an addition or update to this list, please complete this form.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about fly-in programs:
Who is eligible for fly-in programs?
While eligibility requirements will vary with each program, these programs are typically designed for underrepresented students, which can include:
- First-generation students
- Low-income students
- BIPOC students
- LGBTQIA+ students
- Students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to visit college campuses without financial assistance
To find out more about eligibility, please visit the website of the college or university you’d like to visit.
What are the benefits of fly-in programs?
Attending a fly-in program as a prospective student can provide many benefits, including:
- No financial burden: Since the host institution will cover transportation and accommodation costs, you and your family won’t have to worry about paying for anything related to the program.
- Can mingle with current students and staff: Visiting your potential campus allows you to meet people who can give you insights into your prospective college or university. It’s also a great networking opportunity, too.
- Gives you a real-life campus experience: Because fly-ins are overnight, they allow you to do things like attending live college classes, eating at the dining halls, staying in a dorm (if not provided off-site accommodations), and participating in various student events. These all give you real-life campus experiences to refer back to when deciding which schools to apply to.
Are fly-in programs hard to get into?
Getting into these programs can be almost as difficult as getting admitted into college itself. Unfortunately, host institutions only have so many spots they can offer students, so there’s high competition when getting admitted into these programs.
In addition to limited spots, you’ll also need a strong application to be accepted into a fly-in and diversity program. Schools are seeking students who meet the general eligibility requirements but also have a strong academic background, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or essay that details why they want to attend these programs.
While this can seem intimidating, don’t let it discourage you from applying. Make sure you create a strong application and don’t put all your eggs in one basket—apply to multiple schools to increase your chances of acceptance.
Ready to start researching host institutions for fly-ins?
As you consider fly-in programs, you want to ensure you get all the details about your potential host institution. A good starting point is Appily’s college search tool, which allows you to filter categories that are important to you. Click the button to get started.
