When I returned to graduate school, I always noticed groups of prospective students winding their way around campus.
No matter how enthusiastic the tour leader was, the families (and yes, they often brought every member of their immediate and extended clans) usually seemed a little dazed — awed by the possibilities, perhaps. Or the sticker price.
I wish I’d spoken up and posed a few queries on their behalf:
“Hey tour leader, how do you intend to handle that crushing, ever-growing mountain of student loans?”
“Hey tour leader, how many months prior to graduation will you begin your frantic job hunt out of pure worry?”
OK, maybe I’m not the ideal advocate for any higher education institution. But I painfully realized I’d been on countless awkward campus tours when I visited schools.
To make your visit less uncomfortable, I asked four campus tour guides which questions theywishprospective students would pose.
After all, if you’re preparing to invest $10,000 or more a year on your college education, it’s smart to ensure you’re putting your money into an experience you’ll appreciate.
If you have campus visits on your calendar soon, listen up.
The Most Important Questions to Ask on a College Tour
The student guides I spoke with were unanimous on one point: The single biggest error you can make on a campus tour is NOT asking questions.
“We usually notice parents asking most of the questions while students mostly watch,” said Kasey Braden, an elementary education senior at Florida State University. But it’ll be the student’s four-year journey, not their parent’s.
Nervous about speaking up?
That’s precisely why guides like Braden are available. She serves as a greeter: she doesn’t head tours, but stays with groups to answer questions.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to approach the lead tour guide, so we hang back to ensure every family, bold or reserved, gets the attention they need during the visit,” she explained.
You can also catch the tour guide after the group disperses, said Christina Gentil, a 2015 alumna of Rollins College.
“We’re here for [the students],” she noted. “They traveled to take this tour, so we want them to make the most of this resource.”
7 College Tour Questions These Guides Wish Students Asked More Often
Picking a college isn’t straightforward, but these inquiries can help you determine whether a campus is the right match for you.
1. “Why did you decide to attend this university?”
Braden recommended asking plenty of questions related to the academic programs you care about.
“Confirm the school you like offers your chosen major,” she said. “College will be enjoyable no matter where you go, but some institutions provide programs others don’t.”
2. “What are the professors like? Do they genuinely care about students?”
Leyla Balimtas, a communications senior who has led tours at the University of Maryland since her freshman year, says too few visitors inquire about academics.
“People get so absorbed in the campus’ appearance — the vibe, the size of the student body,” she said. “They don’t ask about academic life, but that’s an important topic I try to bring up.”
It’s up to the prospective student, she notes, to seek a candid view of student-faculty interactions.
3. “How can I quickly find a job on campus?”
Onyekachi Osuji, a communications senior at the University of Tampa, said international students often ask about campus employment — which positions to target and the simplest ways to apply.
“Always ask about finding work on and off campus,” she advised. “We’re near downtown, so there are plenty of nearby openings.”
4. “Are you happy here?”
Balimtas knows no sincere student guide will say they regret choosing their college. But ask your guide for stories to get a realistic sense of lifeon campus.
Accounts of how the guide settled in and formed friendships can hint at how easily you might do the same.
5. “What’s the food like? What’s around campus?”
Every tour will take you to a dining hall, but they might not point out alternative eateries off campus.
“A lot of the time, you’ll dine on campus, but eventually you’ll want a change of scenery,” Gentil said. “Are there car-sharing services? Rideshares? Stores within walking distance?”
If you don’t plan to own a vehicle at school, know your transit and dining choices.
6. “Can I hold a job while being a full-time student?”
“Many parents worry about juggling a new course load and finding ways to fund college,” Braden said. “But I’ve discovered that working helped me organize my schedule better and made me more accountable.”
If you’re anxious about balancing classes and employment, your tour guide can either reassure you or offer a dose of reality.
“I’ve maintained at least one job throughout college, sometimes two. It’s worth it for the income and the on-the-job experience,” Braden added.
7. “Does the school have internship pathways?”
Gentil recommended asking about the career services office or whether an alumni network assists students in securing internships.
“Consider doing an internship even if it’s not directly tied to your future plans,” she advised. Internships help you form connections and gain workplace know-how, she explained.
Pro tip: If you start thinking about internships in your freshman year, you’ll be better positioned as you approach graduation.
Your Turn: What questions are you most eager to ask on campus tours? Which ones do you wish you’d asked?
If you’re also wondering about budgeting while at school, check out resources on how to save money in college to stretch your college dollars further.
