In April 2022, I attended Admitted Students’ Day at the University of Rochester. It was my first and only college tour, and I was excited to explore the campus! However, I quickly realized I was unprepared. I’d only been to Upstate New York once before, during the summer, and had no idea what to expect in Rochester during the spring.
When I arrived in early April, I found myself shivering the entire time. As a New Yorker, I thought a puffer jacket and long sleeves would be sufficient, but I underestimated the Upstate weather and hadn’t checked the forecast that weekend. Although I spent most of my tour freezing, I still enjoyed walking around the campus, imagining myself as a student, and capturing a memorable photo with the Rush Rhees Library.
To help others avoid the mistakes I made, I asked three of our student tour guides (also known as Meridians) how high school students should prepare for their visit to the University of Rochester. Making the most of your college tour is essential since it’s your opportunity to see if the school is the right fit for you.
First, I asked the Meridians what students should do to prepare for their tour. Tour guide Elijah Bader-Gregory ’26 emphasized the importance of researching beforehand. He suggested looking into departments that interest you, searching for faculty you’d like to learn from, and attending virtual information sessions. While the tour will teach you more about the university from a student perspective, coming prepared enhances your experience.
“Come curious before going on tour,” added tour guide Janelly Andrade-Gonzales ’26, echoing Bader-Gregory’s advice. She also highlighted the importance of asking questions. In her experience, some visitors don’t engage by asking questions, but having a few prepared can make the tour even more rewarding.
Additionally, tour guide Noah Hubley ’26 stressed the importance of exploring the Rochester community. “A big part of college campuses is the communities around them,” he said. When I visited Rochester, I didn’t have time to check out College Town, try local restaurants, or visit tourist spots. If I’d explored the Memorial Art Gallery, grabbed a garbage plate, or eaten at Tai Chi, I think I would have felt more connected to the Rochester community.
Next, I asked the tour guides what not to do during the tour. All three agreed: avoid using your phone. Hubley said, “It’s okay to take pictures, but please pay attention to the tour. It’s the best way to learn about different experiences here.” Two years ago, I took a few pictures during my visit, but I mostly focused on what the tour guide was saying.
Andrade-Gonzales added, “Don’t zone out—stay engaged! If it’s a big group, don’t huddle in the back and talk with people while the tour is going on.”
Bader-Gregory also advised, “Try not to be disrespectful to the tour guide. They’re taking time out of their day and showing you special things about the college.” Meridians genuinely enjoy showing prospective students and families around. There’s so much to learn about the University of Rochester, especially its unique traditions and quirks!
Finally, if you connect with your tour guide or fall in love with the University, it’s highly essential to show your interest! I asked the tour guides how students could further demonstrate their enthusiasm for the University of Rochester.
Andrade-Gonzales recommended, “Do an interview! Do all the virtual events, if possible. Get to know a little bit more about the campus to make sure that you are putting yourself in that position. When you come to your interview, come prepared and with questions.” As an admissions interviewer myself, I cannot stress this enough! I highly enjoy answering students’ questions about student life and it tells me that you are highly interested in our campus.
Furthermore, Hubley said, “The best way to show interest is to get to know the people around campus. There are so many different students that you can learn from and that are passionate about different things. Put yourself out there and get to know people. It is the best way to get involved and stay interested in Rochester.”
Bader-Gregory talked about reaching out to admissions counselors, “After your tour, there’s usually an admissions counselor available to talk. It’s convenient that you have someone right there to answer questions, so consider saving some of your questions for them or re-asking questions to gain more insight.”
Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps you can take in your college search. When you visit college, it’s very important to be curious during the tour and explore the local communities! Remember, this is the time to see if the University of Rochester feels like home, so make the most out of this wonderful experience!