Campus Visit Program
Experience what makes GVSU special!
Each year the GVSU DEISS is pleased to welcome students from the charter schools it authorizes to GVSU's main campus. GVSU DEISS tours usually last longer than typical campus tours because they take a deep exploration into what is happening at the university. We strongly believe that students that step foot on campus can better envision themselves attending college.
During the visits, students are led around campus by College Navigators, upper-class students who know the ins and outs of all things GVSU. A number of the College Navigators were also previously enrolled in a GVSU-authorized charter school.
Visiting students will get the chance to explore many of the key points around campus, including:
- Kirkhof Student Center
- Mary Idema Pew Library
- Athletic Fieldhouse and Recreation Center
- Holton Hooker Living-Learning Center and other housing options
- Kleiner Commons - Laker Food Co.
- Academic spaces
- Student Support Centers - Tutoring, Financial Aid, University Counseling Center, and more!
- Social Justice Centers - Rainbow Resource Center, Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs, Center for Women and Gender Equity, and Military and Veteran Resource Center
Our Fall semester campus visits are open to 11th through 12th grade students. However, we encourage schools to prioritize bringing their seniors to campus during the Fall Semester to help prepare them for making their post-secondary plans and decisions. If possible, please plan to bring your 8th grade and 11th grade students to campus during the Spring semester to provide more availability for groups of seniors in the Fall.
12th/11th-grade visits (Fall 2026)
Registration for 12th and 11th-grade visits during the Fall 2026 semester will open in August!
Visits for the semester will be held on Wednesdays and select Fridays from September 18th to December 16th (excluding October 7th due to Count Day, October 28nd due to GVSU Fall Break, and November 25th due to Thanksgiving Break). Schools will be on campus from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. during their visit.
8th-grade/11th-grade visits (Spring 2027)
Registration for 8th-grade and 11th-grade visits during the Spring 2027 semesters will open in August!
Visits for these semesters will be held on Wednesdays and select Fridays from February 3rd to June 2nd (excluding February 10th due to Count Day, March 10th due to GVSU's spring break, K-12 spring break, and May 5th as this falls in between GVSU's Spring and Summer semesters). Schools will be on campus from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during their visit.
Preparing for a perfect visit
We have made plenty of changes to the campus visit process since the last time students were able to visit campus. Moving forward, here is what you need to know to ensure your visit goes as smoothly as possible:
Important Campus Visit Information
Before your visit
- Once your campus visit has been confirmed, please print off the GVSU Minors on Campus Release Form and ensure each visiting student has one completed before coming to campus.
- Have seniors apply to GVSU and submit their transcripts at least one week before your campus visit to ensure admissions has their information and can conduct an onsite and celebrate the accepted seniors during the campus visit.
- One week before your campus visit, please have all students attending complete the Campus Visit Program Pre-Visit Survey. This should be done before you arrive.
On the day of your visit
- Please contact Shelby Powell at (616) 402-9234 with your estimated arrival time and the total number of students and chaperones.
After your visit
- After the campus visit is complete, please have students complete the Campus Visit Program Post-Visit Survey.
- If you need reimbursement for buses or transportation, please complete the Bus Reimbursement Form. GVSU will reimburse schools up to $1,000 for transportation to and from campus. Please send the completed form to Kristi Johnson at [email protected].
- All other forms (Minors on Campus Release Form, Pre-Visit Survey, Post-Visit Survey) must be completed before submitting a Travel Reimbursement Form. If any of them are incomplete, your request will be denied.
Before your visit
- Once your campus visit has been confirmed, please print off the GVSU Minors on Campus Release Form and ensure each visiting student has one completed before coming to campus.
- One week before your campus visit, please have all students attending complete their respective Campus Visit Program Pre-Visit Survey This should be done before you arrive.
On the day of your visit
- Please contact Shelby Powell at (616) 402-9234 with your estimated arrival time and the total number of students and chaperones.
After your visit
- After the campus visit is complete, please have students complete their respective Campus Visit Program Post-Visit Survey.
- If you need reimbursement for buses or transportation, please complete the 8th & 11th grade Bus Reimbursement Form. GVSU will reimburse schools up to $1,000 for transportation to and from campus. Please send the completed form to Kristi Johnson at [email protected].
- All other forms (Minors on Campus Release Form, Pre-Visit Survey, Post-Visit Survey) must be completed before submitting a Travel Reimbursement Form. If any of them are incomplete, your request will be denied.
Required Forms
Visiting schools must have each student complete GVSU's "Minors on Campus" release and "Media Release" form before arriving. Schools seeking reimbursement for buses should complete the bus reimbursement form following their visit. Please send the completed Bus Reimbursement form to Kristi Johnson at [email protected].