Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious for those who experienced visiting a school where you weren't expecting much and were very pleasantly surprised. We are just starting college visits with DS and am curious to hear about visits.

William and Mary. It wasn't even on the list for my future computer science major from Maryland. We went at the 11th hour, and DS went kinda nuts for it. It's his top choice now, but since it was a late add, ds is going into the regular application pool (not ED). No post card yet, fingers crossed. UMD is a nice backup though.

[Anonymous]

Richmond was the most beautiful college campus I've ever seen! DD applied, although I doubt she will attend if accepted because she's not interested in Greek life.

I didn't get to go, but DD, younger DD, and DH all loved UVM. They were up there for hiking the Appalachian Trail (in NH), and it immediately shot to the top of both their lists (even though DD2 is only in 9th!)

On the other end -- Cornell was disappointing -- and I went there (in the 90s). The Arts Quad is still gorgeous, but the Engineering School looks even more depressing than it did three decades ago and Collegetown is just soulless. Ithaca itself was also looking pretty shabby.

[Anonymous]

Davidson -- Absolutely loved the campus, the approach to learning/teaching, the vibe (smiling students and faculty) and the town. Our tour guides were amazing. It really rose on my son's list.

Wesleyan -- Fabulous campus and tour. A wonderful and creative environment.

Georgetown -- We had high expectations but were blown away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to VT with low expectations. We were pleasantly surprised.

UVA tour was meh. I was not impressed. Turns out my kid will attend in the fall!

Exactly our experience. VT had a beautiful campus. Food was great. Buildings were beautiful and I didn't see one part that was run down. Tons of school spirit. Was really surprised, although my kids weren't interested in going there.

Really wanted to like UVA but very underwhelming.

+1 DS really loved the Hokie Stone buildings. He's a student there now and said it felt like college was supposed to look like and makes him feel like it's a serious place where he should be working hard (he plays plenty too!)

[Anonymous]

Washington College. We visited purely because I'd seen an article about their Chesapeake Semester., hadn't heard of it before that. Was really impressed with the environmental science facilities, facilities generally were great, and Chestertown is charming. It ended up being a close #2 to DD's final selection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the reverse:

UCLA---I thought the angels would sing. I'm brand new to tours but we visited a few over winter break. It reminded me a lot of UMBC (where I took night classes in my 30s). I'm not sure why but it just felt like a totally generic state school.

So interesting - I went in not wanting to like it and was totally surprised at how nice it was and understood how someone might like it there, despite the huge size.

I grew up a mile from campus and attended so I might be biased but comparing it to UMBC is a bit much. I do agree that once you get out of central campus it loses some of it's charm because it is just another state school with a paltry 5.1B endowment. With 9 UC and 23 CSU campuses the state cannot compete with privates and their first class infrastructure.

We love the UCLA campus - sculpture garden, botanical gardens, beautiful landscaping and architecture. My DD fell in love with the place, luckily got in, and is loving it there. It's hardly just another state school in our opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UC Santa Barbara shocked me because the campus is a dump. Looks like a Marriott from 1982 that hasn't been updated and is visibly crumbling. Like, stucco chunks falling off the sides of buildings

The adjoining town -- Isla Vista - is a verified $h!thole with as many homeless men as students. Actual Santa Barbara, which is lovely, is miles away and not walkable.

No question, the OCEAN and shoreline are stunning. But the campus and student commercial area are literally decrepit

That’s always been my impression as well. I laugh at those who think UCSB is in paradise. Santa Barbara is nice, but it’s miles from the campus.

Not ur impression at all. Some of the buildings are ugly but the Campus itself is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

William & Mary! DC fell in love with ir

[Anonymous]

Loyola Marymount - The school administration, tour guide, campus beauty. Everything. Loved that school. Decided to go to a different one - but not because of the tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Marymount - The school administration, tour guide, campus beauty. Everything. Loved that school. Decided to go to a different one - but not because of the tour.

(and, to be clear - I mean the one in Los Angeles)

[Anonymous]

Any college tour when you have already been accepted. It's a whole other experience. Very empowering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Case Western. Beautiful campus. Cleveland is not as bad as they say but Case Western’s campus beat expectations.

Huh. This is funny to me. I went to Case and never considered the campus to be beautiful. However, I did love going to school in Cleveland. Don't let the city scare you away.
It's a great place to be as a college student and young adult.

[Anonymous]

Sewanee was breathtaking. They don't even call it a "campus," it's a "domain," and after visiting, I can see why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sewanee was breathtaking. They don't even call it a "campus," it's a "domain," and after visiting, I can see why.

That's good to hear - I'd love to see it sometime

[Anonymous]

Wake forest beautiful campus and facilities
U Chicago feels like you are in Harry Potter
Castle and gorgeous grounds
Very unexpected