<p>A few years ago I posted in this forum as my older son was deciding between Tufts and Vassar. In the end he chose Vassar because he felt more at home there. He made the right choice I think. But in the back of my mind I kept thinking that Tufts would be ideal for my younger son. Of course since it is Spring break for most NY public schools! tufts was crowded. But that's okay it was last time too. But this time the tour was rushed and he guide didn't tell us anything that made tufts seems interesting or unique. He never even talked about the x college. He didn't take us to see the view of Boston, he didn't tell us much about the social life or what makes tufts different or better. It felt completely generic The info session was better but spent too much time talking about robots and interesting things that maybe only a few kids get to do. My son left and was trying to write down pros and cons and could only come up with the food as the pro and the distribution requirements as the con. He went I. Thinking it was going to be his ED school but that is not how he felt when we left Its a shame</p>
<p>This is a shame, OP, and so sorry your son had a disappointing tour. </p>
<p>As it happens, it was the info session and tour that sold my D on Tufts when we went to visit at the end of August, after she’d visited 20+ colleges and was definitely feeling that every school’s “pitch” was interchangeable. Her info session did nothing BUT distinguish Tufts from the other schools she’d visited, offering specifics on Tufts’ interdisciplinary approach–specifics pertinent to every student–and her tour was led by an enthusiastic and thorough guide. Perhaps a rushed or generic tour is inevitable in the midst of busy college tour season; don’t let your son’s impression rest just on this, especially considering you’d visited the school before and had a different experience.</p>
<p>I would avail yourself of the amazingly helpful admissions office to answer any questions and arrange a day or overnight visit for your son. Also, if he can, have your son sit in on a class or two. My D did, and again she was sold on Tufts (her day-host was just wonderfully sweet and the Bio professor who allowed her to sit up in the front of the class was so gracious in answering D’s questions afterwards). </p>
<p>She applied ED and has no regrets! </p>
<p>Too bad. The tour I took was excellent! Most of the college tours I took were good. The only bad one I had was Amherst…</p>
<p>It happens and it’s a shame kids can be so shallow. Yes, mine were too. Syracuse was “damaged” by a bad weather day, Fordham by construction, CMU by silly, bad tourguides where some at some schools, the tour and guide hit all the high points which I did not think were all that relevant any more than the issues we had with the bad tours in terms of what the school is like. In time, after looking at some schools, it’s best to focus on some things that are important and try not to get hung up on the quality of the tour. Have those questions ready, and take some time to look around on ones own for things relevant to the student.</p>
<p>My son knew he did not like the way the campus was laid out, or really the whole idea of campuses integrated with cities after visiting such schools. He likes an enclosed setting, lots of things for the student on campus, and a small town at least or city or something adjacent, not be out secluded where a car is necessary to get to much of anything outside of the school. But he liked that enclose feeling. Liked UMich, Penn State, not UWisc, for instance though I thought it was similar to UMich. </p>
<p>And I loved the tour of Amherst. My one son crossed Tufts off his list due to his visit. His dad was with him and loved the tour and the school. Go figure. </p>
<p>Instead of telling the internet about your experience, why don’t you tell Admissions what you thought-I’m sure they would appreciate any and all feedback. Sorry you weren’t happy- it is a fabulous school with very happy students. </p>
<p>Unfortunately tour makes a big first impression. My daughter crossed off Notre Dame and American because of a terrible tour guide. And my son didn’t like Brandies for the same reason. But it’s unfortunate. And she loved Umich because of tour guide even though she went there thinking she won’t like it. Do the kids that do tours do it as part of work study or they volunteer because they love doing it?</p>
<p>We loved our tour at Brandeis. I am a Brandeis alum so my son was reluctant and went to make me happy. But the tour and info session were amazing as was Amherst. I do plan on letting Tufts know about our experience and I also know that Tufts admissions is active on this blog. I already have a kid in college so I have been down this road before. I posted because colleges and parents need to be aware that this can be a pivotal experience. Most tour guides are trained and paid and even the best guide can have a bad day. But at Brandeis they were consistent and enthusiastic and clearly stated what made it a unique school. Tufts seemed to be relying On the fact that they only accept 18% of their applicants. As I said I loved it a couple of years ago and my older son almost went there. If he did I’m sure he would have been happy and getting a great education. I just had hoped my other son saw that. Instead this experience has pushed it a few notches down the list </p>
<p>By all means, bring your disappointment to Tufts’ attention, but hope you’ve taken into consideration the context of the answers here, which is that tours can be inconsistent at ANY college and, if in doubt, encourage your son to probe deeper through other means–researching strengths of programs, reading college guides, scheduling class and overnight stays, etc. Yes, first impressions count, but they are just that–first impressions. (And nearly every school my D visited touted its low acceptance rate). I know someone who had an awful tour at Amherst, and my D’s Brandeis tour was flat/ unremarkable. So there you go…</p>
<p>Tufts is still on the list and we will revisit in the Fall. It was just a shame because I really loved it so much before I was hoping that it would be his ED choice and we could avoid some of the stress and waiting from last time. But thats really more about me, than him 
Thanks for all of you thoughtful replies</p>
<p>Everyone has a different experience while searching for colleges. When I visited Tufts I had the most boring tour guide who seemed disinterested in what he was saying. On the other hand my cousin got a lot out of her tour and ended up loving the school a lot. She was very happy with her time at Tufts. I remember my Brandeis tour was quite informative and I liked that. Barnard tour was mediocre at best. I also liked the Vassar tour we took. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>We visited Tufts during Spring break. Before we went, my cousin said that she and her daughter as well as a number of kids in her daughter’s class, were very turned off by the info session, so I was expecting the worst. The opposite happened. We loved the info session. It was different than all the other ones we had been to. It gave a real flavor of what Tufts is about. (I have no idea how the admissions rep was able to talk so much and so fast for an hour without losing his voice!).</p>
<p>We just went on a tour on Saturday morning. The info session was crazy crowded, but it was a really good tour. Our guide did a great job, he had the perfect mix of a loud voice, genuine enthusiasm and the ability to show & share his knowledge of the school. </p>