Some Tips To Make the Most of College Virtual Tours

College virtual tours have become the latest buzz. They have successfully emerged as a cost-effective and time-saving way to tour colleges, especially when an in-person visit to the campus is not possible. And as these tours become more and more popular, their quality has significantly improved. Today, students can easily get a fair idea of what the college is like by getting its virtual tour.

Moving on, there are certain ways in which students can make the most of their college virtual tours. In this article, we will talk about some helpful do’s and don’ts to ensure an exceptional virtual tour experience. Let’s begin.

Do’s

1. Use your webcam and microphone

Although it is possible to have a virtual tour using your smartphone, it is advisable to use a computer with a webcam. Using a camera and microphone enables the students to engage in a conversation with the tour guide. This not only makes the tour much more interactive and engaging but also helps the students to clarify any doubts that they may have. They can clearly view the different parts of the campus while talking to a tour guide for an interesting journey.

2. Ask about the guide’s individual experiences

Most tour guides are really college pupils who have been going to the college for a while. So talking to them and inquiring them about the college facilities can help you get a better idea of what college and campus life is like. It will give you a much more realistic view of the college than finding out any faculty-to-student ratios. Some of the important things that you can ask your tour guide are as follows:

• Who is your favorite college professor and why do you like them so much?
• Which is your favorite college event and when is that hosted?
• What college clubs are you in? What are the most popular club activities?
• How friendly are the professors? Do you call them by their name or their title?
• How is the campus cafeteria? Is the food good?
• What do you usually do on the weekends when you are finished with your work?

3. Seek an explanation if you feel uncertain about anything

As a potential student, you may be worried about a college’s security and safety protocols. Also, you may have certain queries about the college admission procedures. The best way to know more is to ask. Taking college virtual tours is a great way to seek clarifications and clear all your doubts before enrolling.

4. Take notes and keep score

It is important to have a list of questions ready that you ask every college, whether during an online session or an in-person visit, to choose the best one. The responses to these questions can help you rank colleges based on their feasibility. Take notes about the different aspects of a college that are unique and particularly interesting. This will help you narrow down your list and facilitate a quick college selection decision.

5. Look out for areas and facilities relevant to your interests

If you are planning to major in STEM, you would want to have a look at the laboratories and chemistry classrooms. Similarly, if you are an athlete, make sure to check out the recreation centers and on-campus gyms and fields to make an informed decision.

Don’ts

1. Quiz the tour guide about their own college admission history

It does not matter if the tour guide’s first choice was that every college or whether he applied elsewhere too. The only thing that matters is that they are a student here and they have loads of valuable college information they can provide you with. So, if you want to ask them something, try asking the following questions only:

• What made you choose this college?
• Your favorite thing about this college and its campus?
• What do you feel about the campus size and its locales?

2. Leave in the middle of the tour

College virtual tours are designed to give prospective students an idea about college and campus life. It is extremely rude to leave the tour while it is still going on. Remember, the person giving you the tour is an actual human being and can see if you leave the tour in the middle.

3. Stay quiet or on mute

It is completely okay to verbally stop the tour to ask questions that you may have. But apart from that, it is expected conduct that you stay silent or keep your microphone on mute to unnecessarily interrupt the tour from any kind of background noises.

College virtual tours are a great alternative to physical visits. They can help you find out relevant information about your chosen college and make an informed decision. The aforementioned do’s and don’ts will further help you make the most of your university virtual tours and choose the best college that matches your vision.