<p>Why do you do campus tours and what are you looking for specifically when attending them? I barely remember the only campus tour I attended at Vassar but I'm doing a bit of research as to how certain tours attract students more than others.</p>
<p>What is it that the parents on the forum look for as well, and what do we all think could be added to improve the tour experience?</p>
<p>Remember that the campus tour is just that: a tour of the campus. The tour giude is not trained to field questions about chances of acceptance or specific details about academic programs. Those questions should be asked of the admissions office rep. When scheduling the campus tour, you should schedule a meeting with an admissions rep at the same time if you need detailed information. </p>
<p>A campus tour should include what departments are in which buildings etc. They will most likely emphasize the brand new buildings and the historic ones. You may want to inquire about what goes on in the other buildings. The tour should include a glimpse of a residence hall, recreation center and student center. The tour guide should also be able to field questions about student life and his/her experiences at the school. A good tour guide should never run down the school: administrative red tape, his/her personal opinion of the school etc. </p>
<p>Class visits are usually arranged separately and will likely be scheduled at the end of the tour. Most schools will put your student in a lecture class (it’s easier to leave in the middle of a large class if you have time constraints than leaving in the middle of a small seminar.) </p>
<p>If the tour guide is knowledgable about the school and enthusiastic, those are good signs.</p>
<p>Hypothetically, if time constraints and other visitors concerns were not an issue, what sort of things would you like to see added to the tour and what sort of things would be expendable?</p>
<p>After looking at a few visit reports I’d say most people are looking to see whether students are friendly and how well the facilities are maintained.</p>
<p>What I want from a tour (generally in order of interest):</p>
<p>a. A general idea of the campus layout-- where are the dorms; where are the classrooms; where do students eat; are some facilities remote?</p>
<p>b. Context for everything shown on the tour. For example, the St. Olaf tour guide pointed out that students leave their backpacks outside the dining area because eating is a time for social interaction. As I recall, the U Rochester tour guide pointed out where food is allowed in the library and where it is dead quite. </p>
<p>c. What spaces do students like to use, particularly for study?</p>
<p>d. The tour guide walking backwards should know that hisleft is my right.</p>
<p>e. Points of special note-- unique, beautiful or historical.</p>
<p>f1. Fitness facilities. And, ideally, the tour guide will be able to answer questions about how easy or hard it is to get access.</p>
<p>f2. Arts facilities. As with the fitness facilities, it’s nice when the guide can answer questions about who can reserve practice rooms or get storage lockers.</p>
<p>g. Point out safety and security features of the campus.</p>
<p>I think everyone is curious about the dorms (at least if students are required to live on campus), but they are generally off limits. And at many campuses it would be hard to chose a truly representative dorm to show. On-line virtual tours are an acceptable substitute. </p>
<p>I’m not too interested in the inside of classroom buildings, dining facilities, or the library unless students would say there is special or unique about those areas. </p>
<p>At the end of the day, what is included or left out of a tour doesn’t matter. The tour guide does matter. I’m not thinking “cool library.” I’m thinking “so this is what a [name the college] student is like.”</p>
<p>It’s helpful to see if the places a student spends a lot of time are appealing. The library, the student center and the cafeteria(s). Some schools have the tour guides show dorm rooms and some don’t but, of course, it’s helpful. Although you have to expect that most are somewhat box-like and not too inspiring. It’s worth paying attention when they explain the meal plan even though it seems mundane because some have options—14 meals a week or 20 etc. —while others may allow students to go at any time. This can make quite a difference in the student’s daily life. It can be interesting to ask the tour guide about his or her own major because that is what they know best----how big are the classes, when and where will they study abroad, is there a senior thesis requirement etc.</p>