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DHRBC07 · 05-02-2008, 01:10 PM

I would like to reflect on this post. I am a former tour guide at a university that receives a lot of tour traffic and a huge number of applications. My little sister has also just finished her senior year of high school so the application process is fresh in my brain.

Here is some information that I think parents and students should know before going on a tour.

1. You should ask if the tour guide program is volunteer or not. Some places it is a work-study job which may change the tone of the tour. If the guide is a volunteer or had to audition (as we did at my university) then you should expect true excellence.

2. Dress appropriately. We are expected to look neat, collegiate, and appropriate, you should wear clothing that you would not be embarrassed to be seen if you happen to run into your admissions rep., that is appropriate for the weather, and that you can walk in.

3. Be understanding. Rules vary by schools with regards to showing dorms. At my university they were very far away, occupied to the max, and when we did let people in we had a huge incidence of theft. The decision was made to nix the dorms. Ask when you would be able to see a dorm or where you can go. Chances are you will be able to see one on an admitted student day or you can wander up to the freshman dorms and see if a student will let you in.

4. Do not answer your cell phone, make out with your boyfriend, or breastfeed for the duration of the tour (this all happened on one of my tours two summers ago)

5. If you don't want to hear what is in the view books, don't ask. Most tour guides don't want to talk about retention rates or the number of chemistry majors, they are usually prompted.

6. Think about intelligent ways to ask questions. Again, you don't have to impress the tour guide, but he or she will be more likely to engage you in a discussion after the tour if you seem like you mean business. "What is your favorite dining hall meal?" sounds a lot different then "how's the food?"

7. Listen to what the tour guide has to say. They are not trying to sell the school to you, they are usually speaking from the heart. If they intentionally misrepresent the school then they will end up with underclassmen who hate it, and no one wants that.

8. If you honestly don't connect with your tour guide, take another tour. Make sure it is the school you didn't like, not the guide.

05-02-2008, 01:10 PM	#31
DHRBC07 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Threads: 3 Posts: 179	I would like to reflect on this post. I am a former tour guide at a university that receives a lot of tour traffic and a huge number of applications. My little sister has also just finished her senior year of high school so the application process is fresh in my brain. Here is some information that I think parents and students should know before going on a tour. 1. You should ask if the tour guide program is volunteer or not. Some places it is a work-study job which may change the tone of the tour. If the guide is a volunteer or had to audition (as we did at my university) then you should expect true excellence. 2. Dress appropriately. We are expected to look neat, collegiate, and appropriate, you should wear clothing that you would not be embarrassed to be seen if you happen to run into your admissions rep., that is appropriate for the weather, and that you can walk in. 3. Be understanding. Rules vary by schools with regards to showing dorms. At my university they were very far away, occupied to the max, and when we did let people in we had a huge incidence of theft. The decision was made to nix the dorms. Ask when you would be able to see a dorm or where you can go. Chances are you will be able to see one on an admitted student day or you can wander up to the freshman dorms and see if a student will let you in. 4. Do not answer your cell phone, make out with your boyfriend, or breastfeed for the duration of the tour (this all happened on one of my tours two summers ago) 5. If you don't want to hear what is in the view books, don't ask. Most tour guides don't want to talk about retention rates or the number of chemistry majors, they are usually prompted. 6. Think about intelligent ways to ask questions. Again, you don't have to impress the tour guide, but he or she will be more likely to engage you in a discussion after the tour if you seem like you mean business. "What is your favorite dining hall meal?" sounds a lot different then "how's the food?" 7. Listen to what the tour guide has to say. They are not trying to sell the school to you, they are usually speaking from the heart. If they intentionally misrepresent the school then they will end up with underclassmen who hate it, and no one wants that. 8. If you honestly don't connect with your tour guide, take another tour. Make sure it is the school you didn't like, not the guide.