Fuzzy bunny slippers. Check. Comfy PJs. Check. Ice-cold refreshing beverage. Check. Now you’ve got everything you need to take a tour of your favorite college campuses – a virtual tour, that is.

Guiding the journey for millions of potential college students are the experts at Campustours.com, the worldwide leader in the virtual campus tour industry. According to its web site, Campustours.com offers a database of more than 600 virtual tours of post-secondary learning institutions.

Virtual campus tours have come a long way from the simple picture and text tours of the 90s. The advent of broadband Internet access has turned web-based tours into a multimedia experience as opposed to a simple online campus viewbook. These cutting-edge presentations contain video and soundtracks rivaling feature films.

There is not a “typical” campus tour. Each one is customized to an individual college. Essentially, a campus tour is a way to walk the halls of your top college picks from the freedom of your bedroom; no tour guides, no schedules, and no getting lost.

Content varies from site to site, but what you should expect from a top notch tour? Fully guided video tours, virtual maps of the campus and the community, video of faculty in classroom settings, audio commentary and quotes from current students, 360 degree views of important areas of the campus and information.lots of information.

“This generation of prospective college students are the most technically savvy we have ever experienced,” said Chris Carson, President of Campustours.com. “They demand an experience that allows them to view themselves as a student of that school.”

You should also expect to answer some key questions. Are the class sizes small or large? Is the school community suited to your tastes? Is the school in an environment where you feel comfortable? But be cautious about your online experience.

The editors of KEY took a variety of virtual tours on the Campustours.com. The Julliard School in New York City was among the most captivating, containing insightful looks at almost every program and campus locale along with text and student commentary. A tour of New York City was also included.

While virtual campus tours are one in-depth way for students to “try it before you buy it,” be cautious.

“A virtual tour by no means replaces a physical campus tour,” Carson said. “There is only so much information you can gather through a computer.”

But before you trek to your No. 1 college pick for an in-person visit, be sure to lose the bunny slippers and the PJs . unless, of course, you’re a law major.