What are some good questions to ask at a virtual college tour? What are some questions I definitely shouldn't ask?

Answered

I love this question! As a former tour guide, I can confidently say that no matter what you ask, it won't be the silliest question they've heard, so don't worry about feeling embarrassed -- genuinely ask the questions you're interested in. In general, you want to ask questions that will help you get insight into what it's like to attend the school in question as well as any specific questions you're wondering about. In addition to the awesome answers already posted here, some good ones to help with this are:

- Favorite/least favorite things about the school

- Where do you feel you've made your closest friends at [X school]?

- How often do students use [X resource]?

- If you could do your college experience over again, what would you do differently?

- What surprised you about [X school] when you first got here/what's something you think most people don't realize about [X school]?

- Do most people live on- or off-campus? Why do you think that is?

- Do you like [X resource/department/program]?

You'll want to avoid asking questions that are easily searchable on the school's website (e.g. if the school has study abroad programs), but you can feel free to ask more personal questions about those searchable things (e.g. do people really take advantage of study abroad/do you know anyone who has done study abroad/is it feasible to do study abroad as an engineering major/etc.). You should also avoid asking about what it takes to get in (e.g. what were your SAT score and GPA in high school/what should I write my essays about?), though asking questions that will help you in the admissions process in general (e.g. what do you think is something all students at [X school] have in common?, which may help you write a 'Why [X school]' essay later on) is fair game. Keep in mind that your tour guide likely has nothing to do with the actual admissions process, so the best they can do is speak from personal experience; they don't have any special insight into what goes on in the admissions office! They are experts on being students at their school, though, so you can ask anything related to student experience; if they don't have firsthand experience with the things you're asking about, chances are they know someone who does and can connect you with them.

As a side note, tour guides love getting thank you notes/emails after tours. Of course, this will not impact your admissions chances AT ALL since they are not involved, but if you think they gave a great tour, let them (or their boss) know! Plus, you can usually reach out to your tour guides if you have additional questions (though schools have varying policies on giving out students' contact information).

Have fun at your virtual tour!