COLLEGE TOUR SURVEY There’s no debate over the value of college tours; in fact, many counselors believe the experience of exploring actual college campuses can be a catalyst or tipping point for students who are undecided about pursuing a higher education. But taking students on tours demands both time and money, things that are typically (well, always!) in limited supply among counselors and school systems.

So how do America’s college counselors approach this challenge? The following are the results of the questions we posed to nearly 2,400 high school counselors throughout the country (most of whom are affiliated with GEAR UP, TRIO, and AVID programs).

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS WHAT TIME OF YEAR DO THE IDEAL NUMBER OF YOU PREFER TO SCHEDULE STUDENTS ON A TOUR? COLLEGE TOURS?

40.6% 34.4% 29% 35.5% 18.8% Spring Break Summer 6.5% 6.3% Winter 29% Fall Break small (20-30) medium (30-40) (40-50) large (55+) very large

IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, WHICH FACTORS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN PLANNING YOUR COLLEGE TOURS? 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Cost College Organization Quality of Cultural and/or Relationship with Visits of Tour Accomodations Service Activities

Learn more at explorecolleges.org HOW FAR IN ADVANCE HOW IMPORTANT IS THE DO YOU BEGIN PLANNING INCLUSION OF HISTORIC YOUR COLLEGE TOURS? BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) SCHOOLS IN YOUR ITINERARY? 43.8% three months 37.5% six months 12.5% 32.3% nine months 38.7% very important not very important 3.1% 3.1% < year one year 29% somewhat important

HOW FAR AWAY ARE YOU WILLING TO TO VISIT COLLEGES?

Anywhere in the US 22.6% In my region 41.9%

In-state only 35.5%

Learn more at explorecolleges.org HOW IMPORTANT IS WHAT AMOUNT DO YOU TYPICALLY ALLOCATE TOWARDS NIGHTLY SECURITY IN A 3-DAY, 2-NIGHT COLLEGE THE TO YOU? TOUR FOR 50 PEOPLE?

somewhat important very important 51% 19.4% $10,000-$15,000 74.2% 24.5% not very $15,000-$20,000 important 6.5% 24.5% $20,000-$25,000

(including bus transportation, hotel accommodations, HOW MUCH PARENTAL meals, and activities, hotel security, and an on-) INVOLVEMENT/INTEREST DO YOU ENCOUNTER WHEN WHAT ARE YOU LIKELY PLANNING COLLEGE TOURS? TO CUT TO REDUCE THE COST?

24.1% 27.6% DVD of Length of the tour tour 3.4% Backpacks 63.3% and learning materials 6.9% 10.3% 30% Number of Quality of participants meals 6.7% 27.6% a significant some none Extra ticket amount required activities

Learn more at explorecolleges.org FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST, FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST, RATE HOW IMPORTANT WHAT DO YOU THINK THESE ACTIVITIES ARE FOR STUDENTS ENJOY THE STUDENTS WHILE ON MOST ON COLLEGE TOURS? A COLLEGE TOUR.

Exploring college campuses Walking around the campus

Meeting college Meeting students currently students enrolled in the college

Learning about academic Talking to an admissions programs and opportunities office representative

Touring a dormitory Learning about college extracurricular life

Dining in an on-campus facility Experiencing cultural activities

Listening to a tour guide

Bonding with fellow students on the tour Learning about student organizations

Attending a Participating in campus event volunteer activities

Learn more at explorecolleges.org FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST, WHAT, IF ANY, PROBLEMS WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ON STUDENTS WILL GAIN PREVIOUS COLLEGE TOURS? FROM A COLLEGE TOUR?

30% Inspiration to work harder in their current classes 39% Motivation to apply to colleges they may not Disorganization have before 30% 44% No guidance on campus/self 31% guided tours Greater clarity of their Poor quality meals ambitions and interests 17% 13% Poor quality 22% Unexpected additional expenses IF YOU HAVE USED A TOUR 22% Uninteresting or inappropriate OPERATING COMPANY IN cultural/service THE PAST, HOW LIKELY ARE 39% Lack of on-tour assistance YOU TO USE THE SAME COMPANY IN THE FUTURE? 13% Lack of security 39% Disengaged or disruptive students

20% HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT very likely COMPANIES THAT TAKE STUDENTS TO VISIT COLLEGES?

35% somewhat likely ConferencesWORD-OF-MOUTH 45% unlikely ONLINE SEARCHES EMAIL/DIRECT MAIL 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% OTHER

Learn more at explorecolleges.org