The in-real-life versus virtual tour is an experience that can ignite a student’s curiosity about the whole “going to college thing” in a way that website visits and AI-aided research can’t approximate. While most questions about a specific college can be answered with a quick Google search, landing on a campus provides a moment that can radically change a student’s POV about what they’re seeking in higher education. Here are a few topics to query campus reps about while college touring:
Location
Some students want a college that’s far from home; others nearby; many don’t care. Similarly, some students want an urban location; others suburban or rural; many don’t care. Once those students board an airplane, hop on a train or jump in the car, their concept of distance and environment often drastically shifts. Asking tour guides or admissions deans about the siting of their college, how far away is the nearest coffee bar or airport, how often do students leave campus in addition to vacation breaks, is there a school support network for students who can’t travel home for holidays, can reveal information that can shift perception not just about one school but a whole region of the country.
Double-Majoring
Students shouldn’t assume that what’s posted on a school’s website is non-negotiable. I’ve had students who were told they couldn’t double major in theater if in an engineering program petition the school and receive a double degree. Others, who didn’t have enough credits in both disciplines to double major, initiated workarounds to earn a degree with a major and a certificate. While at information sessions, ask questions to tease out the “between the lines” regarding academic/arts departments to discern what’s simply not feasible for scheduling or capacity reasons and where there’s wiggle-room. Often, accruing summer credits or adding a class per semester can enable students to gain the diploma(s) they want.
Social Life/Food
One question I advise my students to ask is: what do students typically do on a Friday night? I like the Friday night framing of this question because Saturdays on campus are often buzzy with parties, concerts, after-sports celebrations, etc. But Fridays? The answer allows the admissions rep or tour guide to provide an answer that might be slightly more illuminating and idiosyncratic to that college campus. Similarly, learning where a tour guide chooses to get their meals can offer insight about how a student body socializes and gathers. I had one student opt to apply ED to school because she liked the variety of options to dine, from Grab-and-Go to stay-and-chat.
Athletics/Performing Arts/Fine Arts
My students who aren’t sports recruits or fine/performing arts majors often still want to pursue their talents in those areas during their college years. They sometimes encounter roadblocks with accessing walk-on/club/intramural athletic options, art studio time, musical/drama theater audition opportunities or music practice rooms. Asking tour guides or admissions deans about the ease of continuing these interests on their campus can be essential information when deciding whether a school is a perfect-fit campus.
MAR