About the Episode
About The Episode:
In this episode, Emma and her father discuss the expectations and dynamics of college visits from a high school student's perspective. They explore what an ideal college visit looks like, including the importance of small group tours, engaging with current students, and the significance of seeing both the positive and negative aspects of a campus. The conversation also touches on the role of tour guides, the importance of professionalism, and the realities of college life that students should consider when making their decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Emma has never been on a formal college visit.
- She expects to learn about the school and its environment.
- Small group tours are preferred for better engagement.
- Professionalism in tour guides is important.
- Seeing both good and bad aspects of a campus is crucial.
- Emma wants to see dorms, especially freshmen ones.
- Food quality is a significant factor for her.
- Engaging with current students is essential for insights.
- Transparency about campus conditions affects student satisfaction.
What does a “good” college visit look like to a first-timer?
For Emma, a ninth grader thinking about college for the first time, the idea of a visit is about more than just seeing a beautiful campus—it’s about feeling the vibe of where she could live and learn for four years. She imagines an experience that combines informative sessions with personalized tours and spontaneous student interactions. Her ideal visit balances structure with flexibility: a focused information session followed by a small, tailored walking tour that allows her to ask questions and dive into her areas of interest like journalism and political science.
Emma’s vision challenges higher ed marketers to rethink the traditional tour formula. Forget herding 30 people past campus highlights—she’s more interested in seeing freshman dorms, catching glimpses of real classroom dynamics, and chatting with current students about their honest experiences. The key isn’t flashy buildings; it’s authenticity, relatability, and access.
What role does the tour guide play in influencing college perceptions?
Tour guides are a college's frontline storytellers—and Emma’s take is crystal clear: appearance and attitude matter. A guide should be professional, knowledgeable, and ideally, wearing school-branded attire. She’s not looking for a peer clone, but she does want someone relatable who takes their role seriously. Age diversity among guides can be a strength, too. Younger guides offer insights into the first-year transition, while seniors bring wisdom from four years on campus.
Interestingly, Emma also emphasizes the importance of honesty. She knows guides may be hesitant to speak negatively, but her ideal interaction includes a candid conversation about both the best and worst parts of the school. Whether it’s food quality or housing realities, today’s prospective students are looking for real talk, not rehearsed scripts.
What should schools avoid doing on campus visits?
One of the most refreshing takeaways from this episode is Emma’s call for transparency. She doesn’t want a sanitized, over-glamorized version of campus. Hiding older or less updated buildings may help “sell the dream,” but she believes it creates unrealistic expectations—and leads to disappointment later. She even suggests that showing these flaws and owning them could work in a school’s favor. If it’s not as bad as imagined, the student might walk away more impressed, not less.
Emma also urges schools to steer clear of generic experiences. “Don’t just show me the nice dorm,” she says. “Show me where I might actually live.” She wants to see what her day-to-day life would look like—down to the food in the dining hall and the layout of classrooms. In other words, she wants colleges to treat her visit like a potential life preview, not a polished marketing event.
Emma's email: emma.cavanaghnj@gmail.com
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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