How to Give a College Campus Tour

Many college admissions offices consider the student-led campus tour an important recruitment tool. Because prospective students' impressions of the college can be strongly influenced by the experience, it is important to give a college campus tour that is engaging, accurate and shows the college in the best possible light.

Instructions

1. Review and memorize any standard script the Admissions Office provides. Since it is important to provide a consistent message to visitors, you should be comfortable delivering the key information and showing the campus buildings.

2. Arrive a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.

3. Introduce yourself to the tour group. Give your name, your year in college, your major and any other information you want to share about your studies and interests.

4. Ask the members of the tour group to introduce themselves, say where they are from and share their interests and questions.

5. Note any mobility issues that could be of concern. The Admissions Office usually works with visitors to provide any physical accommodations needed. However, you should be observant and adjust your routine to walk at a slower pace or find elevators instead of stairs as you visit campus buildings. Also, if the weather conditions are poor, you may need to make some adjustments to the standard tour.

6. Start the tour on time. Often prospective students have other activities planned and need to stay on schedule.

7. Keep an eye on your watch to be sure you have enough time to cover all key information and see the all buildings as planned.

8. Check periodically that the tour group can hear you, especially if the group is large or if there is noise nearby.

9. Encourage visitors to ask questions. Do your best to answer, but if you don't know the answer, say so. Suggest asking an admissions counselor or other college resource.

10. Talk about your own college experiences in a meaningful way. Almost anyone can deliver a standard script and walk visitors through a building. It is the tour guide's own stories and perceptions that really show visitors why the college is special. Remember that many students want to know about college social life as much as they want to know about academics and athletics. A tour guide who is also an enthusiastic and happy student creates the best possible endorsement for the college.

11. Inform yourself about college programs, opportunities and facilities that are not on the standard tour. You have your own course of study and interests, but you need a broad enough knowledge base to talk about other For example, many prospective students want to hear about study abroad options, exchange programs or a sport that takes place during a different season.

12. End the tour on time and in the stipulated location. Thank the group for their time and attention. Shake hands, answer any final questions and make sure everyone in the group knows where to go next.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice in front of a mirror. This is good practice for facing your audience, plus it will make you aware of your expressions and gestures.

• Practice walking backward, which is harder than it looks. Watch for any hazards.

• Walk through your tour for practice. Time yourself so you know how long to stay at each building.

• Join other student-led tours to hear different anecdotes, information and perspectives. See how others present themselves and represent the college.

• Ask each tour group about their specific interests and provide as much information about those areas as you can. For example, if no one on the tour has any interest in dance, do not continue to talk at great length about the college dance program, even if that is your particular passion.

• Many times prospective students visit with their parents. Parents have many questions and concerns of their own. Be prepared talk about the college's health and safety resources as well as the prospective students' questions about courses of study, athletics and extracurricular activities.

• Stay informed about new programs, clubs, resources and other campus news that may come up during a tour.

• Many colleges allow tour guides to modify the tour to some degree, based on the interests of the tour group. While it may be OK to skip one of the buildings you usually show in favor of another building, be cautious. For example, a building may be under construction or you may embarrass a fellow student if you make a surprise stop at his dorm room.