| Thanks for asking! What I'd like in a tour guide is someone who's candid, informed and articulate. What I'd like to get out of a tour might be different than what my high school sons would like, but here are some general thoughts for tour guides:
- know your audience. If all high school students, then realize that they don't have much of an idea of what "Greek life" means and describe this a little (if you have Greek life on your campus).
- answer the unasked questions. Most high school students want to know how intense the academics are, what the social life is like, and what a typical week in the life on campus might look like
- be able to give useful information that might otherwise be buried on the back page of your school's website. For example, just what exactly is involved in the 4-year guaranteed plan? When will major X, Y or Z be available (if known)? How many students graduate in 4 years? What percent live on campus. Does this school have a commuter mentality (ie everyone goes back to hometown on weekends), or does the fact that 60% live off campus simply mean that there's not enough on-campus housing, and the campus really is active on weekends? Have you seen specific effects of the recent state budget cuts (for state Universities)? What is the school's written drug policy?
What's usually left out of a tour is a peak into the dorm rooms, but this is understandable.
If there's a session with an admissions counselor immediately after the tour, let everyone know what the timing will be and if there will be time to grab lunch (or not).
Brochure - no thanks, I'd rather look at your school's web site. Make your website attractive, informative, and up-to-date (I've seen some appallingly bad ones recently). |