Part 211. Doing the Tourist

ThingWhat is a tour?

Stuff to look for

Questions to ask

A Tour Defined

• A Sales Pitch

• You Are Here—the beginning– Take a good, close look at what’s shown to

you– Scout for areas you’d like to visit (or re-visit)

after the official tour– Ask your tour guide lots of questions

Stuff to Look For

• Upkeep of the Grounds• Condition of Buildings• New Construction• Faculty Offices• Athletic and Fitness Facilities• Residence Halls and Dormitories• Fraternities and Sororities• Campus Library• Bookstore

Stuff to Look For

• Counseling and Health Facilities

• Career Services/Graduate Placement Office

• Information Boards/Ride Boards

• Dining Halls

• Questions to ask your tour guide

The Interview: Smile, Squeeze, and Look into My

EyesThe right stuff

Top 10 things to do in an interview

Parts is parts

The “Right Stuff” Attitude

• You are both “selling” something—the interviewer’s pushing the school and you’re pushing yourself

• You both have questions

• You both want honest answers

• You both want to make a good impression on the other

Top 10 Things to Do in an Interview

• Arrive on Time

• Greet the Interviewer with a Firm Handshake

• Introduce Your Parents

• Smile

• Get Comfortable, but Not Too Comfortable

• Use Your Notes and/or Take Notes if You Wish

Top 10 Things to Do in an Interview

• Speak Directly to the Interviewer

• Open Your Mouth and Talk

• Don’t Forget to Breath

• And the Number One Thing To Do in Every Interview: Be Yourself!– Talk about your interests outside of school,

your family, your goals.

The Big Three Essential Questions

1. Why are you here?If you have done your research this should be easy!

2. What’s Your Story?Talk about your family, your school (grades, favorite

classes or activities)

3. What Questions Can I Answer for You?This is important! This is about as close as you will

come to a trick question. Don’t dismiss this. Ask questions! Make sure you are prepared.

BE CONFIDENT!

13. Questions, Questions, Questions

Things to remember

Sample questions you may be asked

Pitfalls to avoid

Things to Remember

• Listen to the question—don’t answer until you’ve heard and understood the whole question

• Think about the question—a measured, considered response is more impressive than an answer off the top of our head.

• Answer the question once

• Always be prepared to answer why

A Bunch of Possible Questions

• What are your goals?• What about College?• What are your strengths and weaknesses?• How do you feel about academic issues?• What are your extracurricular interests• Personal odds and ends…• An oddball assortment…• Possible Questions List

14. Answer Strategies

Honesty is the best policyBe thoroughBe yourself

Be open to other viewsTalk

Honesty Is the Key

• Be honest in the interview. Try not to…– Say you’ve done things that you haven’t done– Say you have an interest in things that don’t

interest you– Say you’ve read things you haven’t read– Say you have scores you don’t have– Say you’ve earned grades that you haven’t

Answer Strategies

• Give Thorough Answers—When preparing for the interview, think through your answers as thought the interviewer will ask “Why?”

• Be yourself

• Be open to other views

• Relax

• Talk

15. Questions, questions!

A good question is not hard to find

“According to your material…”

Sample questions handout

The Art of Asking Good Questions

• There is not such thing as a “stupid” question

• There is such a thing as an ill-timed question, irrelevant, and badly timed question

The Art of Asking Good Questions

• Don’t Ask Questions for the Sake of Asking Questions

• Follow-Up Questions Are Great

• Don’t Feel You Can Ask Questions Only at Certain Points in the Interview

• But Be Polite

• Questions to ask the Interviewer Handout

Remember this…

• When asking questions from materials provided by the colleges, always refer to the documents

• It might be wise to ask questions about a variety of issues: academic, atmosphere, chances of admission, faculty , food, residence life, and social life

16. Leaving the Best Impression and Gathering Necessary

Information10 points to emphasize

Gathering information

Visit Evaluation Form

10 Points to Keep in Mind

1. Academic Ability2. Communication Skills3. Emotional Balance4. Honesty5. Humor6. Independence7. Interest in the College8. Involvement9. Self-Confidence10. Uniqueness

Evaluating Your Visit

1. Right after your visit, assess your visit while everything is still fresh in your mind

2. After you’ve toured another campus or two—Did that happen on this campus? What did he say about the meal plan? Was that here or there? Did I say that?

3. Write all of your impressions in your journal. Record all of your thoughts.

4. Review your list of important criteria from your Initial College List. How did the college match your criteria?

Evaluating Your Visit

• Don’t Jump to Conclusions!

– Weather during the visit

– Attitude and preparedness of the tour guide

– Reception in the admissions office

– Friendliness of the interviewer

– College Visit Evaluation Form Handout

17. Thanks a Bunch and Stay in Touch

You and your Journal and Evaluation Forms

Thanks for the memoriesKeeping the door open

Putting Your Journal And Evaluation Forms to Work

• Keep good records!

• Write a thank-you letter to each of the admission interviewers you met in your travels.

• Use this note to communicate effectively: use both your journal and the CVEF and personalize your note. Write about what was meaningful to you. This type of letter will make a more favorable impression on the recipient.

The Note’s the Thing

• No to the “Thanks for your time” letter.

• Share those impressions, along with any especially memorable parts of the interview, with your interviewer.

• Your note should include:– Personalization– Specific Names– Future Contact

Keep in Touch

• Most admissions professionals receive many letters each year, but only a handful are sincere and meaningful. Of those, very few indicate future contact.

• Some students may ask a question or two in their thank-you letter. Questions will get a response

• The idea of making yourself stand out from the crowd is important.

Area Alums: Local Talent, Often Underestimated

Info please

Stuff you should know before you go

A field guide to alum interviewers

Value of Area Alum Interviewers

• Do if your college is located a long way from your home.

• Do if you feel that an additional recommendation might over-shadow some weakness in your application. If you prepare thoroughly for the interview and make a positive impression on the alum you may have a better chance of admission.

Four Things to Know about Alum Interviews

1. How to Schedule the Interview

2. Ask How It Works

3. Prepare!

4. Prepare for a Group Interview

Types of Area Alum Interviewers

1. The Good-Old-Days Type

2. The Me, Me, Me Type

3. The Hard-Sell Type

4. The Tough Type

5. The “I-Can-Get-You-In” Type

Remember This…

• Don’t overlook the value of alum interviews

• Prepare as though you are interviewing at a college

• Don’t judge the college based on your interviews alone