<p>Do students keep in touch with the tour guide & alumni interviewer & do they respond? Or are they supposed to respond one way or the other. What is the right approach..</p>
<p>In a conversation I had with the Dean of Admission at Hotchkiss, he was very frank -- something I really like about him and all of his communications, even in form letters -- and he was very adamant that applicants and their families shouldn't spend too much time "playing" a game that the admission offices aren't playing. Sometimes, he was saying, people try to outwit themselves. What's a harmless question or suggestion may be just that. It's not a test where they're checking to see whether you pass or fail.</p>
<p>So, here, I think you need to keep that in mind. There's no test. If you need to ask a question, ask. If you don't, then don't. There's no database where your questions are being monitored and logged and the your fate (or the fate of your child) will be determined. Nobody's saying, "Aha! See how Applicant 10234 asked about the number of volumes in the library! What a great question! And s/he stayed in touch with the tour guide. Yes, this one's a keeper!" It's hard to not think that's what's going on. It's hard not to imagine (or fantasize) that you'll pass some imaginary test and get a golden ticket. But I trust the advice that that's just not going on. They're looking at your application...which is more than enough to keep them busy without inundating themselves with tons of data on informal post tour/interview communications.</p>
<p>Bottom line: I think "the right approach" is to engage as you feel the need to engage and to not engage where you don't feel the need to engage.</p>