The campus tour – your time for Q&A, to learn everything you have ever wanted to know from an insider that actually attends the college you’re thinking about.
Keep in mind that this isn't an interview. They aren't deciding your fate; it’s really for your benefit. The tour is to see if you can actually see yourself living and learning on the campus.
Make the most of your campus tours by asking the right types of questions. Check out these “do’s” and “don’ts” in what you should ask during campus tours to get the most out of your experience.
Don’t:
Ask questions you can learn from the website. You have a real, live college student there, who attends the school you’re thinking about.
Why not ask them something worth knowing about, rather than a statistic they've memorized from the website? You can always look that information up later.
But, don’t make a decision based solely on the social atmosphere either. Remember, you’re there to learn!
What else do you think is helpful to ask on a campus tour?
Don’t:
Ask questions you can learn from the website. You have a real, live college student there, who attends the school you’re thinking about.
Why not ask them something worth knowing about, rather than a statistic they've memorized from the website? You can always look that information up later.Do:
Ask about their personal experiences, favorite classes and why your guide decided upon the college over others.Don’t:
Focus on famous faculty members. It’s more than likely you’ll never meet them and, if you do, it’ll be to take their class while learning from a teaching assistant.Do:
Ask about the quality of the student body, the class sizes, the faculty as a whole and their teaching aids. This will be key to finding value in your learning experiences.Don’t:
Disregard the social scene completely – it’s an important part to consider about your college experience as a whole.But, don’t make a decision based solely on the social atmosphere either. Remember, you’re there to learn!
Do:
Ask questions about the amounts of debt that school’s graduates typically owe and the school’s job placement rate. If you decide to attend the school, you will likely become one of these statistics in the future!Don’t:
Ask personal questions regarding your tour guide's financial aid situation or your own.Do:
Ask questions about the social scene and campus events to get an accurate idea of the complete school atmosphere. That way, you won’t have any surprises once you’re already attending.Don’t:
Ask embarrassing or personal questions regarding your tour guide's social life or share your own.Do:
Ask questions about the amounts of debt that school’s graduates typically owe and the school’s job placement rate. If you decide to attend the school, you will likely become one of these statistics in the future!Don’t:
Count the school out because you dislike your tour guide, their choice of major or because you didn't ask enough questions. (It's up to you to do that!)Do:
Make the best of your tour by asking thought-provoking and insightful questions!What else do you think is helpful to ask on a campus tour?
