Question: We visited several colleges over spring break. My son hated the tour guide at one of the schools we (and his guidance counselor) thought would be a perfect fit. Now what?
Jane K, Burlington, Vt.
Answer: Welcome to the bizarre world of college visits. The college students who conduct the tours will have an enormous impact – whether fairly or not – on your child’s perception of a college. You may be visiting your alma mater; or your child may be setting foot on the campus she has always dreamed of; and they can be turned off completely by the tour guide.
There is no easy remedy to this inevitable problem. It is going to happen. And the school that either you or your child thought was the perfect fit may be thrown into the discard pile. Unless you’re prepared for the War of the Roses, don’t dismiss your kid’s first impression. Tour guides often convey their personal biases or agendas during the tour.
Sometimes it is intentional; often it is not. But you’ll hear comments that are anti-athletic or anti-arts; pro-Greek life and anti-frat. Mike — our resident counselor — always tells students beforehand to not judge a school by the tour guide.
Our recommendation is keep visiting schools. The more places you visit – even if you are unlikely to apply to a particular place – the better frame of reference you and you son will have. If, after seeing more colleges, you (and his guidance counselor) still think that first college is a good fit, you should probably suggest visiting it one last time.
But be forewarned: choosing a college is about 80% your son’s choice and 20% everyone else’s.
thank’s for the information