If you’re a high school junior and you haven’t toured any colleges yet, you’re probably starting to feel a little anxious. If you’re not, we are here to tell you that you need to get moving. The best time to tour schools is during the fall or spring semester, so the window for visiting before you start drafting your applications is quickly narrowing. College tours aren’t all that complicated, but there are a few things that are worth planning in advance.
Most tour guides are students. They are not admissions officials. They are not privy to your information. They will not be reading your application. They are not expected to report back to the admissions officials with the intel they gathered on you while walking backward through the science building. However, there are still ways to make college tours work in your favor — or even against you if you aren’t careful.
Even though tour guides will not typically report on you, they can let someone know if they see a red flag. Red flags may include being disrespectful to them or other students. Picking a fight with your parents at the back of the group is not a smart move. Neither is walking six inches behind them nor answering other student’s questions before they have a chance.
Since tour guides are unlikely to put in a good word for you but could work against you, it’s best to focus on being respectful, thoughtful, and appropriately assertive. This will ensure that you leave a good impression while learning as much as you can from the tour experience. Below are the things you should always (and never!) do on a college tour.
ALWAYS
Introduce Yourself. State your name, where you are from, and extend your hand for a handshake. Practice your handshake in advance to test your grip. There are few things more uncomfortable than a floppy handshake.
Keep to the Front. Some college tour groups are small, while others can swell to over 20 people. Regardless of the size of the group, keep to the front. Yes, even during parts that you aren’t particularly interested in. Try to stay within 10 feet of the Tour Guide at all times.
Ask Questions. A few times during the tour, your Tour Guide will inevitably ask, “Does anyone have any questions?” Often, only parents will pipe up. Don’t let that happen. The reason you were keeping to the front was so that you could listen. Use what you’ve learned to formulate a thoughtful and relevant question. Thoughtful doesn’t need to be profound, though. Curious about the process of picking a major? The Tour Guide has probably been through it already! Wondering which dining room has the best vegetarian options? Go ahead; other students probably want to know too.
Engage Personally. The Tour Guide has been trained to be able to answer hundreds of general questions about the college, but they will always have the best insights on the things that connect to their own experiences. If you have a moment, ask them what they like most about the school or what has been a challenge for them since arriving on campus. Listen to what they are already sharing about themselves through the tour and use things that you match up on as points for starting a conversation.
NEVER
We don’t advise focusing on the negative, but there are a few (ok, three) things that we would like you to promise to never do on your college tours.
Never be Pushy. Asking questions is good, but you don’t want to become known as the annoying kid who didn’t know when to stop. If you feel like you are monopolizing the Tour Guide’s time, step back, take a few deep breaths, and give other students an opportunity to be heard.
Never Interrupt. This is built into not being pushy, but we want to single it out because it is critically important. Never interrupt your Tour Guide. Control yourself. No matter how much time you spent reading up on the school, they are still the Tour Guide — not you.
Never Get Too Personal. Tour Guides are picked because they are competent, enthusiastic, and — ideally — friendly. Just because they are friendly, though, doesn’t mean that you are now best buds. Do not, under any circumstance, dig into their personal lives or show too much of yours. Do not ask them if it is easy for freshmen to sneak into parties, if illicit substances are widely available, or anything else in that vein. Respect boundaries.
But what if your Tour Guide isn’t a student?
If your tour guide happens to be a member of the admissions team, they are much more likely to be taking mental notes. Follow our instructions with even greater care for how you are presenting yourself. Shake hands firmly. Stand up straight. Think through your questions before you voice them. Show that you can be part of a group conversation without monopolizing the narrative. Oh, and don’t step on their heels. They don’t appreciate it.
If you’re looking for more hands-on guidance throughout the college process, send us an email. We love helping students navigate getting into their dream school.