50 Questions to Ask on a Campus Tour (That Tour Guides Won't Expect)
Go beyond 'What's your favorite dining hall?' with questions that reveal what campus life is actually like. Organized by topic for easy reference.
Key Takeaways
- Ask about real experiences, not just facts you can find online
- Student tour guides give the most honest answers
- Listen for what they don't say as much as what they do
- Take notes or you'll forget everything
Tour guides expect the basic questions: "What's student housing like?" "How's the food?" "What's your major?"
Those are fine, but they won't help you figure out if this school is right for you.
Here are 50 questions that actually reveal what campus life is like—organized by category so you can pick the most relevant ones for your tour.
The Real Deal Questions
These cut through the marketing and get to the truth.
- What's one thing you wish you knew before coming here?
- If you could change one thing about this school, what would it be?
- What's the most common complaint you hear from students?
- Where do students go to decompress when they're stressed?
- What surprised you most about the culture here?
Pro Tip
The best question is often the simplest: "What do you wish you knew before choosing this school?" It usually prompts honest, unscripted answers.
Academic Life
- How accessible are professors outside of class?
- Have you ever had a meal or coffee with a professor?
- How competitive or collaborative is the academic environment?
- Do students actually go to office hours, or is it stigmatized?
- What's the hardest class most students take?
- How easy is it to change your major?
- Can you take classes in departments outside your major?
- What academic resources do students underuse?
- Are research opportunities available for undergrads?
- How involved are TAs vs. actual professors in teaching?
Campus Life & Social Scene
- What do most students do on a typical Saturday night?
- Is Greek life a big part of campus culture?
- Do students mostly socialize within their dorm/major, or is it easy to meet people across campus?
- What's the vibe between different student groups?
- Are there things to do on campus that don't involve drinking?
- How diverse does the campus actually feel day-to-day?
- Do most students stay on campus over weekends?
- Where do students hang out between classes?
- What clubs or organizations are the most popular?
- Is there a campus event everyone goes to?
Note
The "suitcase school" question is important. If most students go home on weekends, campus can feel empty Friday through Sunday. Ask directly: "Do students stick around or go home on weekends?"
Housing & Dining
- How's the dining hall food, honestly?
- Are there good off-campus food options within walking distance?
- What's the dorm you'd most want to live in?
- What's the dorm you'd least want to live in?
- Do most students live on campus all four years?
- How does the housing lottery work for returning students?
- Are there themed or interest-based housing options?
- Is there anywhere quiet to study in the dorms?
Support & Resources
- How's the mental health support here?
- How easy is it to get a counseling appointment?
- What happens if you're struggling academically?
- Is the career center actually helpful?
- How do students find internships and jobs?
- What resources exist for first-generation college students?
- Is there good support for students with disabilities?
Watch Out
Mental health resources are crucial. Many schools advertise counseling services but have long wait times. Ask specifically: "How long does it take to get an initial counseling appointment?"
Safety & Logistics
- Do you feel safe walking around campus at night?
- How easy is it to get around without a car?
- What's the public transportation like?
- Is parking available and affordable?
- How's the WiFi on campus?
- Are there enough places to study when the library is crowded?
The Bigger Picture
- Would you choose this school again if you could go back?
- What type of student thrives here?
- What type of student might struggle here?
- What's one thing you love about this school that isn't in any brochure?
Questions to Ask Yourself During the Tour
It's not just about what you ask—it's what you observe:
Checklist
- Do students smile and say hi, or keep to themselves?
- Does the tour guide seem genuinely happy or performing?
- Are students studying together or always alone?
- How's the energy in common spaces?
- Can you picture yourself here?
Who to Ask
| Person | Ask About |
|---|---|
| Tour guide | Day-to-day student life, social scene, honest opinions |
| Random students | What they actually think (less scripted than guides) |
| Admissions staff | Admissions process, scholarships, academic programs |
| Professors | Research opportunities, class sizes, department culture |
| Campus security | Safety, emergency resources |
Pro Tip
Strike up conversations with students outside of the official tour. The library, dining hall, and campus coffee shops are great spots. Most students are happy to talk.
How to Actually Remember the Answers
You'll visit multiple schools, and they'll start to blur together. Here's how to remember:
Take notes during the tour
Use your phone or a small notebook. Jot down direct quotes and specific details.
Record voice memos right after
As soon as the tour ends, record a 2-3 minute voice memo with your immediate impressions while they're fresh.
Use a comparison spreadsheet
Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for each school. Fill in key details after each visit.
Take photos
Photograph things that stand out—a cool study space, the dorm common area, the view from the quad. They'll help trigger memories later.
Red Flag Answers to Watch For
Be wary if:
- Tour guides dodge questions or give vague non-answers
- "It's fine" responses about mental health or academic support
- Heavy emphasis on party culture with little else
- No eye contact or visible enthusiasm
- Students around campus seem stressed or unfriendly
The Bottom Line
The questions you ask on a campus tour shape the information you get. Asking "What's your major?" gets you surface-level data. Asking "What type of student would struggle here?" gets you insight.
Don't be afraid to ask follow-ups, and don't worry about seeming nosy. Tour guides expect questions—that's literally their job.
Ready to schedule your campus visits?
Plan an efficient multi-school trip with our free route optimizer.