How to make the most of your campus tour

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Whether you're the first in your family to pursue college or the last of seven siblings to start the college search, no endless Internet search will offer a better sense of a university's culture than experiencing campus for yourself.

"Every college, big or small, has its own unique culture, so figuring out where you want to be after high school is all about finding the right fit and feel," said Nate Corbitt, UNC Asheville campus visit manager. "Deciding if you fit into that culture can be difficult to do through pictures on a website, so it's crucial to visit colleges whenever possible."

Pro-tip: Campus visits help narrow the type of college experience you're interested in. Senior Jake Wilson says his visit sparked the realization that he learns best from colleges with small class sizes and professors who know their students. Senior Jessie Nielson says it's important to find a campus "where you can picture yourself living comfortably and happily."

Yet, how do you get a sense for all of this based on one visit? Here are our tips for making the most of your college tour.

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You'll get a heap of emails with directions as well as parking and check-in instructions before your visit. Reading them can make your visit much smoother and stress-free, giving you time to take in the beautiful and vibrant campus.

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Before you step on campus, University Ambassadors (our student tour guides) say it's helpful to have a sense of what you want. Check-in with yourself and ask what matters to you in a college experience. Are there academic departments or student clubs you're interested in? Research and career opportunities? What are the University's values?

"Familiarize yourself with the university's website, and look into its academic programs," said Corbitt. "Make sure it actually has a major that interests you."

You can sign up for the Admission and Financial Aid email list on our website beforehand. This ensures you're the first to know about campus news, special events, and the wide array of opportunities to make your education more affordable.

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The University Ambassadors leading your tour care about your interests and want to hear from you. Asking questions helps them help you.

"If there's a particular club you really want to be a part of or if class size or research experience is very important to you, then ask your ambassador about it," said Gill Gavenus, senior Ambassador. "Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ambassadors love questions. Without them our job isn't as fun!"

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Senior Abram Carter recommends asking questions about study abroad, campus employment that can help prepare you for a career, and student life.

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On a campus tour, you'll pass through many important buildings, including the student union - the central hub of student activities and resources. This is an important place to absorb details about campus life.

Our Highsmith Student Union is home to student organizations, student resources, cozy study spaces, an art gallery, the student mailroom, bookstore, food court, a gameroom, and more. On any given night, Highsmith may be holding a concert, movie showing, trivia, open mic, karaoke, and tons of other fun events. Check out the bulletin boards on the upper and lower Highsmith floors to get a glimpse of student life.

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If you miss the bulletin boards, the Highsmith Instagram and Asheville Campus Entertainment consistently post events. Many student organizations also post on social media, so if there's a club you're interested in, look it up!

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Tours contain a lot of information, so it's okay if you can't remember everything.

Ambassador Owen James says the best thing that a prospective student can do to prepare for a tour is keep an open and receptive mind.

"I would not focus on remembering every little detail, but rather on paying attention to how the overall energy and ambience of the community resonates with you as an individual," said James. "By doing this, you can reflect on how your uniqueness fits into the vibrant and rich student body that distinguishes UNC Asheville."

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Although you don't need to remember every detail on the tour, Nielsen says it helps to take notes and photos of key details that matter to you and "notable aspects about the campus and its community" that you want to remember.

Pro-tip: Standing at the top of the Ramsey Library steps gives you a great view of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and makes an amazing backdrop for photos.

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It's important that both your college campus and the surrounding area feel like home. Take time to research and explore local events, businesses, and the ambience of the city.

Students take advantage of all the Asheville community has to offer. You'll find Bulldogs will grab coffee or food, explore the local Asheville art museum (free for students!), hike, experience live music, shop local markets, explore downtown, and more.

Pro-tip: Set aside time before or after your tour and follow our students' guide to Asheville.

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In his time as UNC Asheville campus visit manager, Corbitt has learned a lot from advising students before and after their visits.

"After you leave, take some time to think about your tour. Review those notes and photos," said Corbitt. "Consider whether or not the university aligns with your goals, and weigh all the pros and cons of the school."

So, find your sounding board, such as your college counselor, parent, or best friend and talk things out.

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Ambassador Gavenus says tours can range from an hour to an hour and a half. So, if you don't have time to take all of the above steps to prepare, bring your comfortable and curious self, and we'll help with the rest.

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