Part 2 11. Doing the Tourist Thing

2. Part 211. Doing the Tourist Thing What is a tour? Stuff to look for Questions to ask

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. The Interview: Smile, Squeeze, and Look into My Eyes The right stuff Top 10 things to do in an interview Parts is parts

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. The Big Three Essential Questions • Why are you here? If you have done your research this should be easy! • What’s Your Story? Talk about your family, your school (grades, favorite classes or activities) • 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!

11. 13. Questions, Questions, Questions Things to remember Sample questions you may be asked Pitfalls to avoid

12. 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

13. 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. 14. Answer Strategies Honesty is the best policy Be thorough Be yourself Be open to other views Talk

15. 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

16. 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

17. 15. Questions, questions! A good question is not hard to find “According to your material…” Sample questions handout

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 16. Leaving the Best Impression and Gathering Necessary Information 10 points to emphasize Gathering information Visit Evaluation Form

22. 10 Points to Keep in Mind • Academic Ability • Communication Skills • Emotional Balance • Honesty • Humor • Independence • Interest in the College • Involvement • Self-Confidence • Uniqueness

23. Evaluating Your Visit • Right after your visit, assess your visit while everything is still fresh in your mind • 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? • Write all of your impressions in your journal. Record all of your thoughts. • Review your list of important criteria from your Initial College List. How did the college match your criteria?

24. 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

25. 17. Thanks a Bunch and Stay in Touch You and your Journal and Evaluation Forms Thanks for the memories Keeping the door open

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. Area Alums: Local Talent, Often Underestimated Info please Stuff you should know before you go A field guide to alum interviewers

30. 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.

31. Four Things to Know about Alum Interviews • How to Schedule the Interview • Ask How It Works • Prepare! • Prepare for a Group Interview

32. Types of Area Alum Interviewers • The Good-Old-Days Type • The Me, Me, Me Type • The Hard-Sell Type • The Tough Type • The “I-Can-Get-You-In” Type

33. 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