Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:44     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:43     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:
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!)


We, too, were very impressed with VT! Ultimately, DD didn’t apply but we all came back very impressed
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:34     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
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.


University of Kentucky. Really pretty campus, nice students, and a lot of interesting research. Unexpected.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:32     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:Wake forest beautiful campus and facilities
U Chicago feels like you are in Harry Potter
Castle and gorgeous grounds
Very unexpected


+1 on u chicago
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:31     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Haverford - gorgeous campus (despite being a rainy day) and warm school.

Swarthmore was also very pretty - our tour guide was amazing but, honestly, the complete opposite of everything I have heard about Swatties since. I think he must be a superstar anomaly!

Even still, DC liked Haverford better but I really couldn't tell you why. (has stats for either)


My botanist husband geeked out over the arboretum campus of Swarthmore. He persuaded DS to apply despite it not being on his original list - if one of our kids ever attends, DH will be the one suggesting visits!

agree, it is beautiful. we also fount it very quiet, even in the middle of the day. too quiet for my kid. i wanted him to go it was so gorgeous.

Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:14     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
St. Olaf College. We went to see Carleton and thought we might as well tour St. Olaf since they are right next to each other. We had barely even heard of it. But dd needed some more schools to add to her list and we didn't exactly have plans to return to Northfield, MN. So why not?

Absolutely loved it! Hidden gem. Fabulous tour guide, beautiful campus, friendly students...just felt like the embodiment of "Midwestern wholesome." DD ended up doing ED at Amherst, but would've applied to St. Olaf and I think totally would've been thrilled to attend.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:07     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Temple. They brought out the band! Was excellent. I should add that this was admitted students day, however.
We went to U Delaware the week before and it was nice.. in a boring way. but Temple won hands down for school spirit and clean, modern facilities. Yeah yeah yeah, I know the surrounding area is rough.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 20:01     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Elon- The gardens are gorgeous (I love gardens...) and the school has such a nice vibe. My kids weren't didn't end up applying there but I really enjoyed the tour.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:56     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
We did a big swing through New England. Our tours at UConn, Providence, and Merrimack moved them up DC’s list.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:43     Subject: Re:Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
I had never been to Pittsburgh before and was amazed at the Duquesne campus. A campus with green space surrounded by really tall buildings downtown. You can really tell that the city grew up around the campus.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:37     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:Pitt. The school spirit was palpable and the kids were SO ENTHUSIASTIC about the school and the city. It was contagious.


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:26     Subject: Re:Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Wake Forest. Kids seemed the happiest of anywhere we went in my child’s assessment. Plus beautiful grounds.
We also visited Georgetown and George Washington because they are close and even though they both get a lot of negativity from locals, my child thought they were both amazing in their own way.
DC also had schools that they did not like at all and took off the list so tours are worth it if you can swing it.
Plus a fun time with your child
Good luck
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:24     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Denison, Kenyon, UChicago were great tours. But so much of this has to do w/ the tour guide, unfortunately.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:23     Subject: Re:Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:Richmond had a really beautiful campus with lovely buildings.


It's a gorgeous campus. We had a terrific tour guide as well.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2023 19:19     Subject: Any tours you went on that totally surprised you in a positive way?
Anonymous wrote:Wake forest beautiful campus and facilities
U Chicago feels like you are in Harry Potter
Castle and gorgeous grounds
Very unexpected


I saw couple mentions of Wake Forest and wanted to add that on our tour of the school we met some student group on cafeteria patio (school was in session) that were performing comedians. Cannot remember club name. They were actually hilarious and DS thought it was very cool. And it was beautiful Spring day. Best tour.