10 Better Questions To Ask On Your College Tour
Maximise your college tour by asking insightful, experience-based questions that go beyond the website—get real student perspectives on academics, campus life, safety, and more.
I’m just coming off a whirlwind tour of five colleges in the Southeast over mid-winter break.
Most campus tours follow the same basic script:
A formal admissions presentation (lots of “we’re so unique” talk).
A student-led tour where you see all the usual spots—library, dining hall, an old building :).
I did this routine in four different states, at universities both big and small.
Now, it might sound like I’m complaining, but I’m really not. I actually love campus tours.
Tours are by far the best way to “see yourself” at a college and figure out what makes each school tick. You get the campus vibe. You feel the energy (or not - hey, some schools are “sleepy”). You notice the quirks.
That is, if you ask the right questions.
Don’t Waste Your Tour on Questions You Can Google
Often, I hear students and families asking basic fact-checking questions:
“Can freshmen have cars?”
“How do you pick a roommate?”
“Is the library open late?”
These might be useful, but answers to all are probably on the school’s website.
The real value of a tour? You get access to a current student. And though these students are part of the admissions team, they’ll actually tell you how things feel if you ask them questions in the right way.
So, instead of asking about meal plans, ask:
What’s your go-to meal on campus?
Do dining hall hours work with your schedule?
If your guide raves about the food, that tells you something. If they hesitate, force a smile, and say, “Uhh, it’s… fine?”—that tells you even more.
10 Better Questions to Ask on Your College Tour
What surprised you most about this school after you started attending?
Cuts through the marketing fluff and gets to real student experiences.
What’s something you wish you had known before coming here?
Helps uncover potential downsides students don’t realize until they’re already enrolled.
What do students actually do on weekends?
Goes beyond “we have 300+ clubs” to find out whether students stick around, party, or head home.
If you could change one thing about this school, what would it be?
No school is perfect—this helps uncover the downsides.
What has been your favorite class so far?
A peek into academic life, cool professors, and standout courses.
How challenging are the classes compared to high school?
Is the coursework overwhelming, or is the balance between work and play just right? Consider asking a follow-up… if they took AP or IB courses, how do their college courses compare?
Do you feel safe walking around campus at night?
A real student perspective on campus safety—lighting, emergency resources, and any areas to avoid.
What kind of student wouldn’t like it here?
A reverse way to assess fit—because no school is for everyone.
How has the school helped you find internships or jobs?
Career services can make or break post-college success.
What’s your favorite “only at this school” experience?
Every school has something unique—this question helps uncover it.
Make the Most of Your Tour
A college tour isn’t just about seeing buildings—it’s about figuring out what life is really like as a student.
Skip the website-level questions and dig deeper.
Final pro tip: If your tour guide isn’t giving great answers, ask a random student on campus or another tour guide at the end.
They’re everywhere. And trust me—they’ll talk. 😆