The Role of Maps in University Recruitment and Open Days
- Campus Wayfinding
- Campus Maps
- University Map
The Role of Maps in University Recruitment and Open Days
Recruiting new students starts long before they ever fill out an application.
It starts with how they feel when they first step onto your campus.
A polished, helpful, and beautifully designed map isn't just a nice touch — it's a powerful recruitment tool that helps universities make the best possible first impression.
Here’s how custom campus maps are transforming open days and recruitment efforts for colleges and universities.
1. Maps Help Families Feel Comfortable and Confident
Visiting a campus — especially a large one — can feel overwhelming for prospective students and their families.
A custom campus map instantly makes the experience smoother by:
Highlighting tour starting points and information desks
Making parking and entrances easy to find
Clearly labeling key buildings, dorms, and facilities
When visitors can easily navigate, they focus on what matters: feeling at home.
2. Maps Let You Showcase What Makes Your Campus Special
Every campus has its hidden gems — beautiful gardens, innovative labs, lively student centers.
A great map allows you to spotlight:
Must-see landmarks
Points of pride (historic sites, green spaces, research centers)
Key gathering areas like quads, dining halls, and athletic fields
Helping families discover these areas turns a good tour into a great experience.
3. Maps Reduce Stress (and Questions) During Open Days
Open Days are high-energy, high-traffic events.
Custom maps help:
Manage visitor flow and reduce bottlenecks
Guide guests through self-guided routes when tours fill up
Lower the pressure on staff by answering common location questions before they're even asked
Less confusion means a smoother event — and happier prospective students.
4. Branded Maps Reinforce Your University Identity
A well-designed map isn’t just functional — it’s part of your brand.
Custom maps incorporate:
School colors and fonts
Logos and mascots
Taglines and mission statements
Every touchpoint with a prospective student should reinforce your school's unique identity, and a map is one of the first materials they’ll touch.
👉 Learn more about custom campus map printing here.
5. Bulk Printing Makes Maps Easy and Affordable
Recruitment events are large — and they require volume.
Custom campus maps can be printed affordably in bulk:
5,000 maps for smaller colleges or single events
10,000–25,000 maps for mid-sized universities
50,000+ maps for multi-campus systems and year-round needs
We make reordering and updating your campus maps simple, so you're always ready for the next recruiting season.
Quick Recap: Why Custom Maps Matter for University Recruitment
✅ Help prospective students and families navigate comfortably
✅ Highlight key campus landmarks and experiences
✅ Lower stress during busy Open Days and tours
✅ Reinforce school pride and branding
✅ Affordable and easy to print in bulk for all events
Ready to Make Your Campus More Welcoming with Custom Maps?
At PocketMaps, we help colleges and universities design and print custom maps that create better experiences for students, families, and guests.
Whether you need 5,000 or 50,000 copies, we’ll help you deliver a professional, polished introduction to your campus.
Manage Your Project with Full Transparency
When you work with PocketMaps, you don’t just get great design and printing — you also get full visibility into your order every step of the way.
Our easy-to-use online dashboard lets you:
Track your project from design to proofing to production to shipping
See estimated ship dates and delivery times
Upload updated files or split shipments if needed
Chat directly with our customer service team anytime
We built this platform because, before PocketMaps, we were customers too — and we couldn’t find a solution that worked.
After 10 years of building and refining our system, we’re proud to offer you a faster, easier, stress-free experience.