<p>How about this one:
How many of you have been on tours or info sessions where they talk about how their school was “different” or “not like the other schools you’ve been visiting?”</p>
<p>It does beg the question if so many schools are “different”, where are the “typical” ones?</p>
<p>(for the record, the only two schools I can recall who <em>didn’t</em> make the claim to being “different” were Cornell and WUSTL)</p>
<p>My all time favorite question - “My son doesn’t make friends easily so I need to know now if there will be friends for him on this campus” </p>
<p>The info session theme that we ran across at each visit was “global”</p>
<p>I have not - and will not - go on week-long college visit trips. From where I live, it’s really not necessary. So I was fortunate enough to do several two-day trips with my D over the past few years (and will do the same with S probably starting next year). Since this is the case, I do like going to the info session (ok, you can all stop screaming now). We have the time and, even though I’ve done the research, it made a bigger impression on my D hearing the info straight from the school. That’s why I started taking her to these early in 10th grade - wanted someone besides one of her parents (usually me) telling her how important what she does in HS is.</p>
<p>In some cases, you can actually get some important insight into the college. In other cases, I agree, it is a repeat of the website.</p>
<p>At one large OOS public school, we were packed in an info session (well, first packed in the lobby area of their visitor’s center) and then hoarded on a campus tour. Told us a lot about how they handle the number of students who attend (very un-Disney-like).</p>
<p>At this same school, the presenter asked the typical question about where everyone was from. Ok. But then she asked, who takes honors classes in HS (many raise hands); then asks who takes AP classes in HS (some raise hands); she asks WHY??? My D was even in shock.</p>
<p>We went to two in-state public schools one weekend. The comparison between the two info sessions (starting with the presenter) was night and day. To me, this was a reflection on the entire school. Yes, I know there’s more to the school than the person presenting at the info session, but if this is the school putting their best foot forward…</p>
<p>I realize these are sales and marketing presentations, so I take them all with a grain of salt. I’m sure I will do them again with S (although only a very small number will overlap with D’s schools so at least I don’t have to hear the same ones again!).</p>
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When we visited Drew, they had no choice. There had recently been a violent sexual assault on campus and there were wanted posters everywhere.</p>
<p>The best info we received was real-deal guidance from the students on the nuances of meal plans at Delaware. I am verrrrry grateful!</p>
<p>I tend to be pretty tolerant of the questions asked in info sessions, since the whole show is, in fact, intended to impart information and answer people’s questions. But pretty much every sort of question I’ve every heard has been complained about on this thread. So for those complaining I have to ask: what sort of question is, in your opinion, acceptable in an information session?</p>
<p>I think any question that is seeking information is ok. However, if the question is a pretext for disseminating your kid’s stats to all and sundry, then please keep it to yourself.</p>
<p>Sorry. Don’t waste everyone’s time by asking questions which have either just been answered or could have been answered by taking the minimal initiative of spending 5 minutes on the school’s website.</p>
<p>Entertaining campus tour moment…tour guide announces at Wesleyan that all bathrooms are co-ed. Five girls and their parents immediately turn around and walk away.</p>
<p>I’ve said it before, but the info session at DePaul was one of the best presentations of any kind I have seen any where. My son did not apply and it was soon clear that it was not the school for him, but all three of us were impressed by the presentation it self. It started off with a 4-5 minute video of the DePaul President talking about what the philosophy behind a “Vincentian” education is meant to be (they are run by the order of St. Vincent Depaul). The Ad com talked about how they built their curriculum across all majors based on that philosophy. They then had a student panel that talked about their personal experiences at DePaul and the day to day applications in their own educations. It was very well done, very focused on the academics of the school and what the school could and would do as an educational institution. At the end it was very clear what the school was about and what kind of people they expect will emerge from four years at DePaul. </p>
<p>Interestingly, afterward there were very few questions about alcohol, parties, sports, etc. Most of the questions focused on the more serious side of college life. Very well done session and the tour followed suit.</p>
<p>I attended an info session with D at WUSTL about 18 months ago. No crazy parent questions. While the info presented was pretty standard, there was some useful information. What I remember most is when a student joined the admission rep and spoke about the breadth and quality of the faculty advising there. To me, that is not something I could take away from the written materials. She spoke about her freshman advisor, the advisor for her major and the specific advisor assigned for study abroad students. I found this to be indicative that the school makes sure that students have access to adequate advising resources. I think this aspect of the session meant more to me then my D. D recently attended an admitted students session with H. Different approach. The emphasis was on orientation and transition to student life on campus if the students attend. They were definitely there on a different day then the OP because they had a completely different experience.</p>
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<p>Kajon, I heard something similar at an accepted student’s day from one very concerned mother:</p>
<p>My daughter is very shy. How will I know if she making friends? Also, will someone call me if she does not go to class, and just stays in her room? Will there be someone to encourage her to leave her room and participate in activities? Will someone look in on her?</p>
<p>Another mother asked this at an accepted student’s day:</p>
<p>My daughter needs her mother when she is sick. If she gets the flu, or some other illness, will someone call me so that I can go the campus? We only live 2 hours from the school.</p>
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<p>Better they know now! Honestly, my kids are not real crazy when they hear about co-ed bathrooms. D also likes a quiet-dorm setting but H plays the heavy who asks the questions about quiet-hours, how roommates are selected, availability of singles, etc. Lets her save face while she can get the information without “outing” herself (so to speak). I’m ok with that. </p>
<p>I should note these are questions being asked of student tour guides – not at info sessions. I think our role at info sessions is to fade into the woodwork, that in essence we’re just keeping S / D company while THEY attend info sessions. In fact, we’ve been pleasantly surprised – we would shoo them up to the front and take seats in the back, and they’d want us to come sit with them.</p>
<p>At one session: “How will I be notified of my son’s progress at midterm and at the end of each semester?” Response: If your son is 18, you won’t be notified." Mother, sounding offended, “I find that unacceptable. Who may I speak to about this?” Response: “Your adult son.”</p>
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<p>Auburn University has Tiger Cub Camp (or something like that) during the day for siblings ages 6-12 at several of their summer freshman orientations. They get a t-shirt and have activities… including writing a letter to their sibling about leaving home.</p>
<p>Worst tour was Wesleyan. Tour guide was a bubbleheaded nitwit. Everything was awesome, far-out, or amazing. Saw the inside of only one building. Kept referring to the school as “Wes”. Wanted to slap the **** out of her.</p>
<p>^^ Not to change the subject, but when we toured one school the tour guide began each sentence by saying, “So yeah,…”</p>
<p>“So yeah, there are intenships…”</p>
<p>“So yeah, the lunch line isn’t too bad…”</p>
<p>“So yeah, I’m going to go to California for an internship this summer…”</p>
<p>I found her manner of speech to be very distracting, and she was majoring in communications!</p>
<p>Well…Claremont McKenna won for us. Info session began with person asking the six folks in the room what they planned to major in…responses included “premed, prelaw, etc”…my kid said “I don’t know” (then she turned to me and said "how could all of these 17 year olds REALLY know exactly what they are doing the rest of their lives). THEN the tour. Guide looked like she had rolled out of bed in her clothes. EVERY thing she spoke about began with “There is NOTHING like this at ANY other college in the country…no where else!” DD finally looked at me and said “Mom…how would SHE know that…has she BEEN to every other college in the country?” </p>
<p>My kid works in undergrad admissions and runs tours and accepted student programs at her school. She says…she has seen and heard it ALL. She also sits on student panels that are part of their info sessions. She honestly wishes the parents would just not talk…in fact has suggested that the parents and students be SEPARATED.</p>
<p>Similar entertaining campus tour moment recently. Tour guide says that all residents of each floor vote on whether bathrooms are to be co-ed, single sex, or some of both (co-ed some of the time, single sex some of the time). Two girls who are from the same high school and accompanying moms immediately huddle and talk, look pretty concerned. They don’t leave the tour immediately, but do so about 5 minutes later.</p>
<p>@Objective789: Everybody there refers to the school as “Wes”, that’s not any worse than calling Carnegie-Mellon “CMU” or Berkeley “Cal”</p>
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<p>We had several guides look this way, but this did not bother us. I just knew that some of them were wearing shirts were most likely picked up off the floor because they were that wrinkled. I could care less. I do wonder why the admissions staff do not have some type of minimum standard in place for attire, or why it isn’t enforced.</p>
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<p>Actually, safety is a serious concern where my S attends college (Newark, NJ). I was dead set against him even applying there, for that reason only. However, when we went for a campus tour, I was very pleased to see the major police presence. He is in an area where there are several college campuses adjacent to each other (University Heights) and each college has its own police force, plus the city’s police presence. </p>
<p>Within the boundaries of University Heights, you’re probably as safe as anywhere can be. The first presentation the students had when school started was a safety presentation by the campus police, explaining how to be as safe as possible, and which directions NOT to walk off campus.</p>