Visiting colleges is one of the most exciting parts of the application process; it is your chance to step onto campus, observe, and imagine yourself there for the next four years. But amid the tours, info sessions, and stops to grab coffee, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Essential College Coaches have helped hundreds of students navigate this journey. We know that a well-planned tour can turn a campus visit into a goldmine of insights.

When families start building a college list, a few buzzwords almost always pop up: Ivy League, flagship, honors college, and lately, Public Ivy. The term sounds impressive, and it is, but it’s also widely misunderstood. So, let’s break down what “Public Ivy” means, where the idea came from, and whether these schools are better than other public research universities.

Every fall, college representatives travel to high schools around the country to meet students and market their colleges. Students often...