What to ask and look for on a college tour

By Karen Rowe

Your visit to the college is booked. You attended the admissions information session and are now off to walk around the campus with your tour guide. What should you look for, and what questions should you ask? Below are some tips to make the most of your time on a college campus.

What to look for:

• Take note of the students as you walk around campus. Do they seem friendly and offer a hello to you or your tour guide?
  • Are they walking in pairs, groups, or by themselves?
  • Do they have earbuds in, or are they engaging in conversations?
• What does the diversity and gender distribution look like?
• Look for posters on the walls of events happening on campus and in dorms.
  • Does anything seem fun?
• Grab a copy of a student newspaper to see the latest buzz on campus.
• If you visit the dining hall,
  • what are the food options?
• If classes are in session,
  • how engaged are the students in the classroom?
• How are students getting to and from class?
  • Are they on bikes, skateboards, or just walking?

Personalized questions to ask your tour guide that can’t be found online:

• What did you do last weekend?
• Where is the best place on campus to study?
• What are your favorite meals in the dining hall?
• What are examples of how you have interacted with your professors?
• Where are your closest friends from?
• Why did you choose this college?
• Are you studying abroad?
  • If so, can you elaborate on the process of selecting a location?
• How have you spent your summers?
  • Does the college give you guidance on this?
• How can you find internship opportunities?

Enjoy your visit, and for additional information, contact your CPSI counselor.