Tours are an excellent way to get to know your future college campus and get a first-hand account of the student experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to ask any questions about the school, student life, and the surrounding area. If you’re stuck on what to ask, read below for some of the best questions I receive as a campus tour guide!  

What is your favorite… 

…place to study? …dining hall? …class? …Cornell tradition? …thing to do for fun? 

Asking your tour guide about their favorites is a great way to learn where students enjoy spending their time and get ideas for places on- or off-campus to explore after your tour ends. It also helps you get a sense of how students balance their academics with having fun.  

Many students also ask about their least favorite things. This is a helpful question to learn how students cope with things they find challenging and get tips about how to overcome them – for example, how to dress for the winter weather.  

Why did you choose Cornell?  

When deciding where to attend college, it can be beneficial to talk to students who were in your shoes just a few short years ago. Ask your tour guide why they chose Cornell, or even better, how they decided on their college. This opens the opportunity for you to learn things about Cornell you may not have already known. You’ll also begin to understand what students value and what makes each college unique. You can even ask your guide how their views changed from when they chose Cornell to now to see what new things they’ve learned since being a student here.  

What is your experience with… 

…interacting with professors? …academic support? …career services?  

College resources are essential to your experience and success. Doing a quick internet search can be a great preliminary way to get information about resources on campus. Still, one thing you won’t get from searching online is the full attention of a current student excited and eager to talk with you about their experiences. Take advantage of the opportunity to get a student perspective on what it’s like to utilize campus resources such as academic advising, professors’ office hours, tutoring, and more.  

Anything else you are curious about?!  

Tours are among the best opportunities to connect with current students and learn about what you want to know, so take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions. Tour guides are genuinely excited to chat with you – it’s our favorite part of the job! If we don’t know the answer, we can connect you with someone who does. Think of your tour guide as your assigned mentor for the time you are together, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from them!