College Touring

[CScull]

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Hey Everybody,

I'm planning on touring a few colleges over spring break: Auburn, Alabama, Samford, UAB, and Birmingham Southern. I've already got it all scheduled out and have contacted the universities about dates, and times, and all that jazz.

I was just wondering if anyone who's experienced touring before have advice about what to bring, how to dress, ect. Should I go ahead and bring a resume and my transcript or will I just offend them with my dorky-ness? Is it okay to wear jeans and a T-Shirt or should I try and dress up a tad?

Thanks

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'd dress casually unless instructed otherwise. College tours are usually extremely informal and led by students. Don't bring a resume or transcript. In fact, I'd suggest totally eschewoing the tour altogether and trying to convince a students to lead you around. Doing both couldn't hurt, I guess, but the tours are usually of the big, fancy, impressive-looking buildings and offer very little substance. UNC's tour was particularly useless. It included the bookstore, the cafeteria, 2 brand new buildings in which I had a grand total of 1 class, and a really impressive-looking library that virtually nobody ever goes in. (It's where the rare book collection is. I literally never entered it in 9 semesters, and most of my friends never did either.) In the same vein, I was not show the crappy, run-down chemistry building where I spent a huge part of my first 2 years of school. Ditto that for the bio building and the physics building.

In other words, campus tours are great and all, but if you want useful information, you're going to need to talk to people who aren't reading from a script and showing you predestined locations.

 

[CScull]

Hmm, gotcha. I do have an appointment with the admission's office at Samford... I don't need to bring anything special for that do I?

 

[MilkmanAl]

Oh...uh...not sure about that one. You might want to call them and find out.

 

[Maygyver]

I'm not sure about the admissions visit, but for the tours, definitely don't bring a transcript or anything. You are usually in a group with other students and are just led around campus. I only went on one college visit. They are pretty much just to show you around campus.

 

[speciald]

For the admissions visit do bring a transcript and, if you're a junior, a list of classes you're planning to take next year. You can also bring a resume of your significant EC's and awards from high school and hand it over if the conversation turns to those. Mostly they'll want to answer questions you have, give you their version of the "Why XXX", and maybe hear yours. This isn't an admissions interview, I'm assuming, since you haven't applied yet. So it'll be informal and you can absolutely take a list of questions with you so you don't forget anything. Do your research on their website first.
See if you can find a student from your HS or online to give you a feel for what the school's like. Try to get an individual tour or at least stay near the front if it's a group tour. The initial tours aren't going to show you many things, so at least wander around a bit by yourself, have a meal if there's time, and talk to someone who looks like they're just hanging out. You'll get better tours and info going to an accepted students day.

 

[Salvorix]

Depending on how far away these schools are for you, I'd recommend interviewing (if possible) on the same date that you take your tours in order to get it out of the way. There's nothing like driving 4.5 hours to Clinton, NY during last April Vacation only to have to drive 4.5 hours to Clinton, NY again in order to interview over the summer. That being said, if the schools that you are visiting are close by there's no need to interview yet. Save your reach schools/favorites to interview last at.

Although I completely agree with MilkmanAl about the tours not reflecting the schools, it's a good idea to sign up and attend the info session/campus tour regardless because the admissions office will note that you signed up for these in your file which will show that you are interested in the school. Most of my advice applies to smaller schools too, so keep that in mind.

And unless you are interviewing keep it all really formal. Don't dress any differently than you would just going to school.http://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=195383

 

[Gallix23]

Hey Everybody,

I'm planning on touring a few colleges over spring break: Auburn, Alabama, Samford, UAB, and Birmingham Southern. I've already got it all scheduled out and have contacted the universities about dates, and times, and all that jazz.

I was just wondering if anyone who's experienced touring before have advice about what to bring, how to dress, ect. Should I go ahead and bring a resume and my transcript or will I just offend them with my dorky-ness? Is it okay to wear jeans and a T-Shirt or should I try and dress up a tad?

Thanks

A tour isn't the same as an interview. You could dress nicely, but unless it is a one-on-one tour, chances are they won't remember who you are when application time comes around (however, they will remember that you took the time to come see the school, which is all that matters).

I never dressed to the nines on any tours, and many times students themselves lead the tours, so transcripts and things wouldn't even be thought about. Just go on the tour, and if you decide you like the school, schedule an interview. That is your chance to dress to impress and let the school know exactly what you have to offer.

 

[Salvorix]

A tour isn't the same as an interview. You could dress nicely, but unless it is a one-on-one tour, chances are they won't remember who you are when application time comes around (however, they will remember that you took the time to come see the school, which is all that matters).

I never dressed to the nines on any tours, and many times students themselves lead the tours, so transcripts and things wouldn't even be thought about. Just go on the tour, and if you decide you like the school, schedule an interview. That is your chance to dress to impress and let the school know exactly what you have to offer.

👍

Only things I'd add are if the schools are far away, schedule a tour and an interview to save yourself time, and also research the schools beforehand (maybe for 15-20 min per school, using online resources ex. Unigo.com and books like the Fiske Guide and Insider's Guide to Colleges) so that you can ask relevant questions to your tour guide.

 

[CScull]

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm not quite as... antsy now.

 

[MilkmanAl]

it's a good idea to sign up and attend the info session/campus tour regardless because the admissions office will note that you signed up for these in your file which will show that you are interested in the school.

Good advice, this. I hadn't considered the recognition factor.

 

[Maygyver]

I never personally had a set interview with the school I am at, however, I did call and talk with an advisor about the scholars program. I would definitely suggest doing something like that even if it is just a phone call to show interests. It definitely makes you stand out as a candidate.

 

[CScull]

Hmm, I was thinking about making an appointment with the Pharmacy Advisor at Auburn, but I'm afraid it might be a little bit too forward... they don't seem to have just a Freshman Advisor there.

 

[45408]

Hmm, I was thinking about making an appointment with the Pharmacy Advisor at Auburn, but I'm afraid it might be a little bit too forward... they don't seem to have just a Freshman Advisor there.

I think it's a reasonable thing to do. For that kind of meeting, it wouldn't hurt to keep some info with you (grades, resume), but it might not be necessary.

Definitely keep it casual for the school tour. I think going around with the formal tour group is a good idea, since you don't know what you're looking for, but I'd go ahead and wander around on your own as well.

 

[Maygyver]

Have you already applied there? If so, they might have your transcript already in possession, I know my advisor did when I called.

As far as the pharmacy advisor, if you are wanting to do an BS in pharmacy that definitely seems like a reasonable thing. If there is another major, I would contact that advisor. Good luck!

 

[CScull]

Mm, I s'pose if I at least call and ask and it's not the right place for me to be as a coming freshman they'll point me to someone who I can talk to...

I'm still a junior, so I won't be applying until next year. Pharmacy's my plan right now, but it could always change in a year, or so.

 

[Maygyver]

Gotcha, definitely give them a ring at least and see what they say. Getting good contacts is a good start either way.

 

[phorun]

I'm a tour guide for my campus. The tours are really helpful I think. My advice would be to check out the websites beforehand and know what questions you want to ask and what buildings you want to see. I know we were trained to ask students what they wanted to see. Your tour guide might not know the answers to ALL of your questions but they should know where you can find them.

For the tour itself, dress for walking. Your tour guide will probably be someone like myself who has absolutely NO influence in whether or not you get accepted. In fact, I have no contact with admissions other then they tell me if I need to do a tour.

Just relax and enjoy. Too many students are awfully tense and then my lame jokes fall on deaf ears😕

 

[Kruton]

At the schools you are looking at, I would suggest a nice dress. I have looked at a couple of the schools you are, and, honestly, at colleges down here even casual is a bit more formal. Definitely meet with the Pharmacy guy at Auburn, it won't be awkward at all. On a side note, I loved Auburn, but to keep the out of state scholarships you have to maintain a ridiculous GPA.

 

[CScull]

Everything I'm looking at is in state, so I won't have any trouble with that stuff.

 

[Kruton]

Of course. Be sure to tell us what you think of Samford. I thought it was very interesting, but, on the whole, not for me. It is supposed to be extremely competitive also. As I stated before, I really loved Auburn, but Ole Miss was easier for me because it was in state. I am sure I would have loved Alabama as well. Don't think I would have been too fond of UAB, but I hear they have a great medical program. I don't really know too much about BSC, other than it is on the smaller side (but not too small I think?). I am sure you will find at least one that you love as they are all great colleges. Good Luck!