How to handle admissions tours?

[firelily]

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I tried to go to a Cornell open house back in the spring but I got sick the week of and didn't go. I was hoping to go to one of their admissions tours this summer but by now all the tour dates are full. Long story short, I emailed them yesterday and asked to be put on the waiting list for all 3 summer dates, including one on June 12th. I didn't think they'd possibly have openings for that one since it's so soon, but they just emailed me saying that they have a spot for tomorrow.

Ok, so now I drop my plans and head out to Ithaca for the day. I'm fine with that, except of course that the last minute notice means that I don't have time to prepare and I get slightly anxious in situations like that.

I probably shouldn't be nervous at all, but for some strange reason, I am. So I come here and beg advice.

My biggest question...what does one wear to a tour? I know there will be a lot of walking involved and I'd usually just wear sneakers or something for that sort of thing. Do people get dressed up for these things??

I was planning on just bringing something to take notes with, but am I missing anything here? I'm probably just being a big ball of nerves for nothing, right? (Feel free to lie to make me feel better) 😉

 

[sumstorm]

I wore decent clothes for tours and info sessions; slacks, a shirt, comfortable shoes (actually, my danskos.) There were young women in my tour that were dressed in short shorts and tank tops. At the info session there were guys in 'big johnson' shirts. I believe my questions were taken more seriously just based on dress. My name is memorable and unusual, so I tend to go slightly nicer than necessary. Everything I wore was comfortable and casual, just not quite so revealing or casual as others on the tour. There was a guy in a suit at our info session, which some of the staff seemed to find amusing. I think if he didn't wear the jacket, he would have just seemed nicely dressed, but the jacket kind of seemed overkill especially when we were in the barns (and it was obvious he wasn't comfortable with the suit or tie). I think you could get away with nice jeans, shoes, and a nice (not fancy) shirt.

I think the best thing you can do is write down some things you want to know, and who you would like to ask the questions of. I asked about work load, selectives, tracking (or lack of), competitiveness within class, drama, environment, terminal surgeries, opportunities for animal interaction in the first 2 years, and how competent students feel at the completion of their education (at that point I was talking to a 4th year who was graduating in a month.)

 

[GellaBella]

Yeah I would look nice but don't go crazy. I went to the Cornell open house/admissions thing last year. While I don't remember exactly what I wore, I think it was probably nicer jeans with a collared shirt. I'm sure my fiance was probably in jeans or shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt. There were high school students as well as undergraduates there and it was fairly informal...powerpoint presentation followed by a tour with a vet student.

 

[firelily]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! 🙂 I definitely wasn't going to show up in short shorts or a suit, so at least I know that much. I think I'm stressing out unnecessarily. Thanks for making me feel more mellow about it.

 

[StillDreaming]

I'm not sure if you'lll be checking this before you go, but i would dress up rather than down. Don't get super dressy in a suit or anything (it won't hurt, but you want to at least be semi comfortable). I'd just wear slack and a nice blouse with comfy shoes that decently match.

As for anything else, i like the notepad idea, but maybe take a folder with pockets to stick anything they give you in there and keep it all together. I made the mistake on one of my tours of placing my info packets down somewhere and then leaving them there! I felt like such an idot askking for more lol.

Good luck!

 

[starlene45]

bumping this up incase others are having a look round schools this summer!

I agree with all that's been said on the fashion topic... Wanted to add one thing for anyone who is also having an "admissions advising" meeting in addtion to the tour: If you have already taken the GRE or started your Personal Statement, even if only in outline form, take your scores or your transcripts or your PS with you!

I had one of those meetings with Roseanne at Penn last summer and came without ANYTHING. She was pretty nice but I felt totally unprepared and kind of laughed at myself. We ended up discussing some ideas for my PS which really helped me when I actually sat down to write it, but I left feeling like she must be wondering who this flaky girl from California was!

 

[Shanomong]

I typed this before I noticed the date on the original post... but for anyone else doing the pre-vet Cornell tour 🙂


I did the Cornell one a few years back... I'd dress in nice slacks and comfy shoes. I went during the winter so it was freezing... but the main thing I'm thinking of is the bleach bins as you walk between different livestock areas, you don't want to do that in your nice shoes! At least that's how it was when I went. Have fun, relax, you'll totally feel comfortable once you get there, and it's a beautiful campus and a fun, VERY informative tour!!