wise words
Images courtesy of university of mississippi Communications
tackLE
COLLEGE TOURS
make the most of your visit
Whether you know a campus like the back of
your hand, or your teen is interested in a college
you have never seen, a campus tour can be an
excellent way to get a real feel for the school and
all it offers. Start touring before the junior year
to help your child look to the future, and avoid
touring in the summer; instead go in the fall or
spring. Here are a few helpful touring tips.
GETTING READY
When preparing for a tour, you and your student should create a list
of questions you need answered and a list of “must-haves” that you are
looking for in a university. These might include:
• A Greek system
• A particular major
• Small-town atmosphere
• Climate and typical weather conditions
• Options for living on or off campus
• Options for keeping a car on campus
• Level of safety on campus
• Driving distance from home
• Number and diversity of student activities and clubs offered
SCHEDULING YOUR TOUR
Remember to schedule ahead. Contact the undergraduate recruitment
office at least a couple of weeks in advance. Tours usually last about an
hour. Keep in mind that the busiest tour days are Mondays and Fridays.
Comparison shop! Encourage your student to look at a number of
schools. Seeing multiple campuses could help your child realize that his
or her original “first-choice” school might not be what he or she actually wants.
POSSIBLE OBSTACLES
There is a possibility that you and your student might run into some
barriers when scheduling a campus tour. If the tours are full, get in
6
touch with a student from your hometown who already attends the
university. You might not receive the same tour as you would with a
scheduled campus tour, but they may offer a different perspective and
even more insight.
AFTER THE TOUR
did
you
know?
Compare notes with your child and document things you liked and didn’t like based
on the criteria discussed prior to the tour.
Did you like the same things? Why or why
not? To ensure the best tour experience,
make sure to keep an open mind about each
campus you attend.
Many schools allow
“Following up using a thank you note
students excused days
written by your child can help their chances
in order to tour
for admission. This helps many selective
colleges. Ask about
and small universities measure the level of
your school’s policy.
interest of a student. It doesn’t guarantee
admission, but it doesn’t hurt,” said Tyler Peterson, Dean of Enrollment
Management at Auburn University Montgomery.
ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS
Spacing tours out can help keep details clear. “You do yourself an injustice if the four schools you have seen in the last two days are muddled
together in your mind, ” said Mark Foley, Former Ambassador for the
University of Alabama.
www.potentialmagazine.com