If you’re asking for an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad for Christmas, or if you already have one of those, you’ll want to check out the college-focused phone apps to make your college search, application process, and even waiting to hear about admission a little easier.

Here’s a look at just a few of the types of apps colleges and companies are creating to get their information into your hands.

Campus Tours

No more pulling out a big ol’ campus map and making it known to everyone on campus that you’re a lost little high school student. Schools like University of New Haven (see screenshot at right), College of Charleston, Stanford University, University of Florida, and University of Oregon put campus maps and contact info available in a free app. The virtual college tours offer a great way for juniors to get their feet wet or for seniors to reaffirm their choice.

Also, maps of more than 400 campuses are available by Logical Dimension, for 99 cents on iTunes. You can find out how long it takes to drive, walk or take public transit to spots on campus with the apps as well. The popular University of New Haven app was created by YourCampus360, which also has apps for Syracuse, Wellesley, University of North Dakota, and many other schools.

Application Status

Instead of waiting by the computer for an e-mail acceptance notice (or by the mailbox, like I had to do), there are no-cost admission apps offered by schools such as the University of Georgia. Participating schools allow you to check your application status and more from the palm of your hand, but you’ll need to resist the temptation to do it every minute!

Campus Life

Newsweek’s list of cool apps for college students includes Apartments.com, a free app which can help make the rental search easier.

Interviewing Help

If you’re preparing for college or already in school, an app by Career Services at Texas Christian University provides career-focused assistance related to interviews, etiquette, and more. And some of the information could help as you’re going through scholarship interviews, too! The TCU app has more than possible interview questions and possible responses, along with a breakdown of dining etiquette, too (remember, no elbows on the table!).

Expect more apps to be more available as more schools try to get information out to students in as many ways possible.

—Lori Johnston (Delaney Young contributed)