Campus Tours
Spring is here, and with it comes the perfect time to visit the colleges and universities you’re interested in attending.
For potential students, college tours are a great way to get a feel for different schools and see if they're a good fit. But before you start packing your bags, take a few pointers from me!
Visiting every college you intend to apply to isn’t necessary. It’s expensive, exhausting, and overwhelming—all things counterproductive to your search.
My philosophy is to narrow down your tours to 1-2 longer campus tours, coupled with day-long trips to cities and areas nearby. This approach offers everything needed to put together a great list that’s reflective of your interests.
The “Family Fit” I emphasize throughout the Magnolia Method applies to each part of the higher education process, including the initial scouting and visiting. Not only are we searching for an institution that aligns with your academic interests and strengths, but also, your family’s financial commitment to college, the proximity to home, the social culture, and “vibe” or overall feel.
Not Sure Where to Begin?
A good mix of well-rounded college tours exposes a student to a variety of schools - large, small, urban, rural, etc. To prepare for your visits, explore the prospective college’s website, take an online tour, or attend a virtual information session. Doing this prior to deciding where to visit can sometimes eliminate places that once may have been considered a great fit, or help to uncover other educational routes you’ve not yet discovered.
Pro Tip: This is also how many colleges track demonstrated interest, so register for online experiences and make sure you attend them!
Additionally, colleges often post insider information for applicants on social media and YouTube. Following a prospective school’s online communication platforms prior to visiting can provide additional insight to the programs and curriculums offered, and can inspire helpful and intuitive questions to ask on your tour.
Check out the tools available on College Planner Pro to do your research; The Fiske Guide and the information included under the “Research” tab are the best places to start.
Many colleges offer Junior Days or Prospective Student Activities, allowing potential students to immerse themselves in the campus experience for a more informed decision. You can even go right to the prospective college’s website and book your tour online!
Below is a helpful guide to help you and your family make the most of a great college tour:
Last month, I visited Georgia Tech—a campus with a beautiful mix of historical and innovative spaces. I loved it! Here are my takeaways:
16% acceptance rate and currently increasing enrollment
Robust co-op and internship program (one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen!)
Great business program with major opportunities for internships. My tour guide interned for Delta and will go on to work full-time for the company upon graduation. The top companies hiring Georgia Tech graduates are Amazon, Microsoft, NCR Corporation, Deloitte, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Lockheed Martin
Mechanical Engineering students have the opportunity to study and train abroad at Georgia Tech campuses in Lorraine, France, and in Shenzen, China
Supportive social culture and Greek life that offers a great work-hard/play-hard balance
$85,000 is the average starting salary for alumnae and most have jobs before graduation
Unfortunately, almost no merit aid is available for out-of-state students, but the total cost of attendance is lower than many private colleges on scholarship—a price at about $50,000
I also had the pleasure of visiting Agnes Scott, a women-only college in Georgia with an incredibly warm community that is very inclusive and diverse. It was a wonderful experience! Here are my takeaways:
Inviting and friendly community, everyone was greeted with a “hello” and a smile (and faculty even invited students for dinner during my tour!)
A diversified student body with 50% being people of color
Offered through their SUMMIT curriculum is a 10-day Global Learning Class included in tuition for every freshman during the first week of March
Incredible alumni network that helps secure jobs and internships all over the world
Great on-campus food options and student accommodations, for example, a few athletes wanted a desk attached to a stationary bike in the library, and within a few weeks there were several (and check out this big, cozy fireplace—the perfect place to study with friends!)
Very generous aid, both merit and need-based
This month, I’m headed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where I’ll be visiting U Penn, Drexel, Swarthmore, Villanova, Temple, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford! Stay tuned for my takeaways in the April Newsletter.
Let’s talk about the latest
Many parents and students ask me about the political climate on campuses, both left and right-leaning. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has taken the bold step to create The School of Civic Life and Leadership, stirring up a good bit of conversation and even controversy - a great article for discussions around the dinner table.
Do you think these types of moves influence how you consider a campus to be a good fit? Let me know on social media!
Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or advisor—you recognize the tremendous benefit of higher education and the impact it has on shaping one’s future. And no matter your role within this incredibly defining decision making process, it can be a stressful time for you.
I’m here to be your advisor, organizer, tutor, cheerleader, friend, and compass through this journey. I’ve helped over 2,000 students locate and gain acceptance to the college of their dreams and I’m so excited to help you, too.
Let’s get to work!
-Allie Pierson, Founder