Campus Life

Most students see the campus tour as the low-pressure time of the college visit and in many ways it is. But if you’re just sitting back and letting the guides show you around, you’re missing out on the heart of the college tour, which is to get information about your prospective school.
Here are some important questions you should ask yourself before touring the campus and how you can answer them once you’re on the tour:
What sort of people do I want to go to school with?
While you are on the tour you can see how people are interacting with each other. Do they seem to be individual or are there large groups?
Is there diversity within the groups or is it primarily separated by gender or race?
What kind of weather do I want?

This may seem simple but when an acquaintance moved from Hawaii to Boston he had no clue how the winters were going to be and was constantly depressed when it snowed. Climate can play an important factor in your choice, so imagine how accessible the campus would be if it was snowing or raining. Many schools in very cold and very hot climates have underground walkways or enclosed hallways between buildings. What kind of town do I want to be in? Look around. Are you an easily distracted person? If you are, you might want to make sure that there isn’t a lot going on around you that might take time away from studies. Are you interested in culture – where are the nearest theaters and ethnic restaurants? Make sure these things are accessible to you before committing to a school. How do I get around? Are you going to have a car? If you are, is there parking and how much will it cost? If you aren’t, is there sufficient public transportation to get you where you need or want to go? How reliable is it? Don’t assume that a friend will have a way to get you places; make sure you’ve examined all possibilities. Do I feel safe? More often than not this is a parental concern, but it should also be a concern of yours too, since ultimately you are the one living in the environment. Can you feel comfortable walking alone at night? How close is the library to your dorm – could you pull a late night study session and then walk home without being nervous? Ask about “safe rides,” many urban campuses have vans or escorts that will take you where you need to go after dark. Also check about safety in dorms – are there guards or at least a keyed entrance? Will I be challenged? You might think this is a question that won’t be answered until you get there, but in many cases you can test how rigorous a program is just by walking the campus. Do the buildings look new? Do the facilities you tour look up-to-date? Many students are disappointed when they are ready to do hands-on work and find the tools they have available less than new. What is my gut feeling? When people talk about their impressions of the school they attend the first time they toured it, many say that it was an overall feeling that led them to their ultimate decision. Don’t undervalue this gut feeling – it might be the most important factor in choosing a school. You have to feel motivated, confident and happy about a school before you can be successful there. These tours are not designed for the guide to get exercise, they’re designed for your information. Make it interactive by asking questions of the guides and if you see a friendly-looking student along the way, it never hurts to ask them a question or two. The bottom line is that you’re going to have to be proactive if you’re going to get anything more than a scenic walk out of your campus tour.

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