Most college students remember the stress and excitement that comes with campus visits. Emily Littlejohn, a high school junior, had already visited two colleges before she took a tour at Binghamton University this past Tuesday.
“I definitely want to see a lot of colleges and see what I like in different ones,” said Littlejohn, who is from Fonda, New York. “I’m looking for a school that has good academics, but also a well-rounded campus and things that are close by.”
Joe Tiesi, a campus visit coordinator who is in charge of BU’s tour program, said that because of the increasing cost of education, more students are going on college visits.
“Students are being much more selective before making that deposit decision now,” Tiesi said. “And that just means they need to come and see who we are.”
According to Tiesi, the number of students visiting BU has tripled since 2000, and over 40,000 came this past year. This means that BU’s visiting program — which includes open houses, information sessions and tours — is one of the biggest in New York, and larger than those at schools like Syracuse University.
Tiesi said that because of praise the University has received in publications like the Princeton Review and U.S. News, more students are attracted to and considering BU. About 65 percent of those who attend admitted students open houses will enroll.
“The Binghamton brand is incredible so people want to know more about us,” Tiesi said. “Our reputation is stellar. The reality is to get to know us isn’t reading about us in a magazine. It means going there and taking the tour and having those conversations with current students and having lunch on campus — just authentically having that experience.”
Camryn Benjamin, the assistant payroll supervisor for the tour guide program and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said she noticed trends in questions asked. Parents’ main concerns are usually about safety and academics, whereas students focus on dorms and clubs.
Chapin Ginsberg, a senior in high school from Brooklyn who is attending BU in the fall, said he wanted to get a feel for the school one more time before starting in August.
“It seems like a good school with a nice campus,” Ginsberg said. “It’s a good intermediate between a CUNY school and a really big school.”
His mother, Ellie Ginsberg, said that her main concern about college was the cost.
“We’re city people, so the thought of going to a big university — we don’t see what the advantage is,” Ginsberg said. “Postgraduate is very important wherever you go, but there are lots of bachelor schools to choose from that you don’t need to take loans out for.”
Benjamin explained that tour guides are taught to address concerns by sharing positive personal experiences. They give anecdotes at different stops in the tour so the students can get a better and more realistic feel for the school.
“The tour guides are really a vital part of the admissions process because a tour can make or break someone’s decision,” Benjamin said. “We teach them not to worry about statistics because anyone can Google that. What really matters is that when visitors come here they feel like they fit in and they feel at home, just like all the students here do.”