Concerned that the standard tour from the Office of Admission neglects certain essential aspects of the Wesleyan experience, Claire Kaplan ’09 has publicly announced a controversial new initiative: a student-run alternative tour.
Kaplan said that seeing her brother tour colleges and recalling memories of her own college search have led her to rethink the way tours are designed. As she sees it, mainstream tours present a whitewashed view of the University.
“[It is] impossible to come away with any informed decision,” she said.
Though Kaplan says that she does not have any serious objections to the current tour, she sees alternative tours as a supplement that would give prospective students, especially those who cannot stay the night, a realistic view of student life. She has proposed tours based around an activity, like walking to Long Lane Farm or blowing bubbles on Foss Hill.
Barry Finder ’09, student coordinator for Admission tours, however, is concerned that something like blowing bubbles might be appealing to some students, but not all; and that, while tour guides do give personal tours and share quirky stories, they are also “trying not to turn anyone off.”
Assistant Dean of Admission Jami Silver agreed with Finder, arguing that tour guides have to speak to a wide audience.
“Different students are looking for different things,” Silver said.
Silver explained that the University’s new format for admissions tours is very personal. Changes include smaller groups and no script in an attempt to create a more conversational tour. Tour guide Kai Johnson ’08 agreed that the tour is more spontaneous than one would think.
“I say what I believe,” he said. “I don’t sugar-coat everything.”
Kaplan said that she hopes her alternative tours, which are by no means ready to begin, will help students make more informed decisions in choosing schools. She hopes the tours will not only answer prospective student’s questions, but also help them figure out what questions they should be asking.
Johnson, however, disagreed.
“There are no set questions that students should ask,” he said. “And, more importantly, the questions to ask should not be dictated to prospective students on a tour.”
Kaplan said that she didn’t think showing all sides of the University, both the good and the bad, would be a bad thing. Her goal, she said, is for prospective students to be better informed.
“A two-sided argument is more effective than a one-sided argument,” she said. “I now have a grasp on the negatives, and I’m still glad I came here.”
Kaplan has already recruited a few students to guide the alternative tour. She has not yet determined a start date for the program.
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