College Tour Etiquette: A Helpful Guide to the Dos and Don'ts

1) Be Quiet
It's OK to ask questions, and at some points it's OK to quietly converse with whomever you're visiting, but there are times when you really need to be quiet. When the tour guide is talking, it's important to stay quiet so others can hear what he or she is saying. You should also keep it down when you're in residence halls, libraries, and anywhere where classes are in session.

2) Don't Stare
You may want to take a peek in a classroom while class is in session, but it is hard for students to concentrate when college tourists are staring at them. In general, it's OK to look at the students, but don't stare at them like animals on an African safari.

3) Be Respectful in Residence Halls
Students who live in the residence hall you visit, specifically near the room you're shown, really don't like the tour groups. Why? You would too if big crowds of people were constantly coming in and out of the hallway near your bedroom. Tour groups can be loud, and very rude, don't be like that! As I said before, you should be quiet; the louder your group, the more annoying you are and the louder the tour guide will have to talk to be heard. Stick to the group, don't stray further down the hall, don't peek into the other rooms, and don't go into the bathrooms. Don't lean on or touch the doors or door handles. Don't stare at the residents, especially if they're only wearing pajamas, towels, bathrobes, face masks, shower caps, etc.

4) Don't Crowd the Dining Hall
If you get the chance to eat in a dining hall, which is common during open houses, keep in mind that dining halls tend to get very crowded. When the dining halls are opened to non-students, they can be extra crowded, but students still need to eat! It's important to get in and out relatively quickly. Don't rush, but don't dilly-dally either. Look at the choices and decide what to eat, but don't mosey around trying to get a sense of every little thing the dining hall serves (you can usually find that information on the college's website). Once you get a table, eat your food, and then go. You may want to whip out the campus map and visitor information and figure out what to do next, but don't stay at your table to do that when the dining hall is clearly packed.

Remember, you're touring a college campus, not a museum or tourist attraction. Even in the summer there are students living and learning on campus, and you are essentially a guest in their home.