Mawr Insight: Campus Tours

Whether it’s grabbing a meal with future friends, studying late in the library, or collaborating with a professor on research, visiting a college campus can help you picture yourself there. Below, Sofia Azuara ’25 shares her top tips for getting the most out of your campus tour experience. 

Did you go on college tours when you were applying to colleges? How did your impressions from tours influence your college decision?  

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go on any in-person tours during my college search process due to COVID restrictions. Although I was able to drive through some local campuses and participate in helpful virtual information sessions, I wish I had been able to make my college decision more tangible before saying yes. I’ve learned over my years as a tour guide that being able to envision yourself on campus can be a major benefit when choosing where to go to school. A campus tour allows for your future to be as close as the ground beneath your feet.   

How long is a typical tour, and what parts of campus are usually included? 

A typical Bryn Mawr tour is about an hour. Your tour guide will take you on a beautiful loop around campus, going up and down our “Big Hill.” (Fun fact: Bryn Mawr means “Big Hill” in Welsh!) You’ll be sure to enter an academic building and peek into classrooms; visit a common room in one of our dorms; walk around our campus center (where you’ll spot our on-campus cafe); and see our gorgeous outdoor spaces, such as the Cloisters and Sunken Garden.  

As a tour guide, what advice do you have for prospective students on making the most of their campus tour? 

Do some research! Glance around our website and check out the “Bryn Mawr POVs” sections of our blog The Mawr You Know. Going into your tour with background knowledge will allow you to more fully engage with your tour guide and know what questions to ask. Also, be sure to bring some water for the road! 

What’s the best way for a prospective student to engage with their tour guide—and when is the best time to ask questions? 

The best time to ask questions is always, anytime! The tour experience is designed for you. Tour guides have the experience and the knowledge to aid you in making your college decision, both as trained workers and as students ourselves. Also, there are a few stretches of time between stops that are perfect for someone seeking the answer to an individual question to approach the tour guide and ask.  We’re eager to share our own experiences and able to refer prospective students to outside sources if needed.  

What should students pay attention to during a tour that might help them decide if a college is the right fit?  

If you are visiting during the school year, one of the most beneficial things to take note of during your time on campus is the students milling around. Can you imagine heading to lunch with them or sitting next to them in class? Additionally, keep an eye out for posters hung around the buildings. Are the events or programs being advertised ones that excite you? There is a community waiting to welcome you here at Bryn Mawr! 

"There is a community waiting to welcome you here at Bryn Mawr!"

What do you enjoy most about giving tours? 

Above all, I love connecting with prospective students and their families while we stroll around Bryn Mawr’s gorgeous campus. Afterwards, it’s so exciting to see someone who was on your tour back on campus—it’s like running into an old friend! It is always so lovely and fulfilling to witness the amazing journey from prospective student to applicant, and then to admitted student!