U.S. Regional College Tours
Innovators. Bringing fun and expertise to the college tour process.
Finding the right college fit takes some thought, some work and certainly some time. After all, it’s four years of a young person’s life. Personal and financial resources are very much wasted if the student doesn’t find that fit. It’s a total experience for most students in residential environments and the Athens professionals know that the college fit is important to every student’s ultimate success. Classes and studying are a major part of the experience, but so are the location, academic and career advisement, the amenities, the weather, activities, and “the vibe” (which one of our experienced counselors calls “the feeling in the pit of your stomach.”
With years of experience, we know that high school sophomores, juniors and seniors feel much more comfortable and confident moving ahead in the college application and admission process having been on college campuses. They know what to look for, they’ve discerned what’s important to them, and they can let a college know through essays and interviews why that college would be a good fit for them.
Why tour a college or a set of colleges?
Touring With Peers. The Experience.
We have found that the shared experience of touring colleges with peers gives students real perspectives on their experiences. They make friends from other schools and discover mutual interests (and food preferences!) during down times on college campuses, in airports, on the bus and during shared meals. While touring with parents is a valuable experience as well, the Athens Tour participants have a different lens than they would if they were traveling with their families.
Tour Logistics
From the beginning of the tour until the end, Athens Advisors plans flights and luxury coach transportation (with wi-fi), quality hotel stays and breakfasts. Counselors meet students at departure points and remain at the final arrival point until families pick up their students.
Upon arrival at the first hotel, participants are officially welcomed by the counselors, given materials, and are reminded of the rules of the tour. Athens Advisors also provides support and the expectation that any student feeling unwell or unsafe will notify the attending counselors immediately.
Upon arrival at each hotel, students are housed in double rooms. Curfew is enforced at a reasonable time. The next morning, breakfast is provided at the hotel or at a location close to the hotel. Students are expected to be on the bus or departure points on time throughout the tour.
Lunch and dinner times are planned carefully around the college tours. Athens Advisors ensures that multiple venues for all types of dining are available. Students are able to leave the site in groups of a minimum of three, and to maintain that number throughout the tour when not officially on the bus or on campus tours and sessions.
How Athens Tours Are Planned and Organized
While some tours last a few days, others last a week. During that time in addition to visiting all types of campuses in all types of settings, with all types of opportunities, participants do get to know the region as Athens Advisors provides additional experiences in museums, outdoor venues and other iconic locations. This is an important piece of the tours because students need to get a feel for the environment, whether urban or suburban, whether in the hills or near the coast, as the ambience is important to them in their college selection.
The Total Experience
Each of our college tours are customized for the part of the country we’re visiting. We want our students to get a full view of all types of colleges: research and comprehensive universities, flagship universities, business schools, liberal arts and sciences colleges, engineering / technical institutions, faith-based institutions and in some cases art schools / conservatories. Thus our participants can get a sense of what they’re looking for, understanding the differences beyond the architecture and footprint of individual campuses.
Our behind-the-scenes planning process is intense in that we want a seamless experience for everyone, so we negotiate visit times, information sessions and talks with current students as well as time on most campuses for students to explore a little on their own. We also add in activities that highlight what is available in a certain area, including museums, local attractions and outdoor venues.
Students attending our college tours will be accompanied by no fewer than two experienced college counselors, and in most cases three counselors, at all times. While our counselors are experts in college counseling, we are there to supplement information provided in the students’ schools by their own college counselors. We are not there to displace students’ existing counseling relationships.
“Thanks so much for taking them and providing them with such a great experience. Will had a great time and it really helped narrow a few things down for him. Much appreciated! I will recommend to others for sure..”
— Darcy M., Parent
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
tours@athensadvisors.com
Phone
(408) 430-7340