As a tour guide I get asked a lot of questions from parents and prospective students and I love it. I hate having to beg for questions on a tour just so that we can engage in a conversation but some things are just not meant to be asked. We beg of you, save our embarrassment and yours because there is a good chance that we can (and will) throw it back in your face.
1. What are the best frats?
Don't ask this. For girls and boys alike it makes you seem like you are just out to have a good time and party your 4 years away. This doesn't give me a good impression of you and most tour guides cannot give their opinion on this kind of thing.
2. Which sorority is the best?
Everyone likes to think that they are a member of the top house on campus, even if they know who the real top dog is, but that is not something we are going to share with you.
As a tour guide, we are supposed to be disaffiliated from our chapters and Greek life in general. If you want to ask about the chapters we have or the recruitment process that's fine, but don't ask our opinions on the houses, please.
3. Where are the best parties/ Where is the best place to go out?
There are parents on the tours so I would hope that you would not ask this, but just really really don't no matter what.
I've given tours of only high school boys who asked things like this and it was annoying and it showed they had no respect for what I had to say. It is rude and I would avoid this at all costs.
4. Can we drink on campus?
Yet again, this is something that has an obvious answer of 'no' yet everyone still asks.
As a freshman and sophomore you shouldn't be drinking at all but even so, you cannot have alcohol in the dorms no matter how old and trust me, the consequences of it being found are not worth it.
5. What is your favorite club?
By this they do not mean one affiliated with the school... they mean club club.
Answering this would make us seem like less of a credible source and would not make us as respectable to the parents on the tour.
We are there to help you and answer your questions so do not try to undermine us.
6. How easy is it to sneak in a pet?
If you know the rules, or at least have any common sense, then don't bother. We could tell you stories of ways that this has gone awry but you will do what you do.
We just might see you have to take the walk of shame with that cat you snuck in when you are forced to take it somewhere else.
7. How often can we have boys/girls in our rooms?
This makes you seem like you want to get some as often as you can. The parents and I know that you don't mean how late can they stay to study and it also makes me feel like you are going to be a terrible roommate.
8. How bad is the food really?
GiphyNo one wants to say that the food sucks, even though it almost always doesn't, but we have to tell you that its good. Most of the time that is an honest opinion because the food is actually really good and they are good about rotating the food they serve. Just do not get real close and beg for an answer that we don't have or aren't prepared to give you.
9. Can you tell us about *insert bad event here*?
No. We are given orders to not spread rumors or to speak about a certain event if it is bad enough. Don't ask because there is a real good chance we will ignore it.
10. How bad was dorm life for you?
It is rough at times for everyone. You know this, I know this. Don't try to be a jerk and try to ruin the dorm experience, which was never ever horrible, for the others around you who might be really excited.