A little too personal
A guest on your tour is from your hometown and is interested in studying the same thing you're majoring in! They ask for your instagram and cmu email account to connect later
I can't give you my personal information but we have a few resources where you can ask me and other current students questions
- WTC messages
- AskanAmbassador (give them a business card)
You return to the welcome center after giving a tour and a guest is asking you to now give them a private tour since you are free.
Direct them to other opportunities depending on what options are still available for the day
- self guided tour if no other events are taking place
A controversial message is painted on the fence and your tour group is offended by it.
Talk about the history of the fence and how it is largely controlled by students as a space for free speech and that the university will intervene in extreme cases (like threats or hate speech)
A guest asks "Is it true that CMU students are super depressed?"
Mention CAPS and other resources that support students experiencing mental health concerns
This word comes from the French "tourn" meaning "a turn" or "shift on duty"
Tour
A guest asks you what your SAT score was when you applied and how many times you took the test
I don't feel comfortable sharing that information. Our admissions team might be helpful with any SAT related questions you have!
Your tour guests want to go off the normal tour route so you can show them Purnell, since they're interested in drama.
Let them know they can explore parts of campus that are open after the tour resumes and stick to the route.
A student on the tour asks, "I saw videos online about the underground steam tunnels or secret graffiti spots on campus. Can you show us where those are, or tell us how students get into them?"
Tell them this isn't permitted- even if you happen to know how to get into them, tell your group you don't!
A guest asks "What would you change about CMU?"
Don't lie but make sure you are still representing CMU in a positive light! Find something you can put a positive spin on!
How long has CMU been using student tour guides?
Since at lease 1975 (according to our archival department)
A guest asks about the political leaning of the university and wants to know how you voted.
There are opportunities and organizations for people with all sorts of political beliefs here on campus. The university also provides non-partisan opportunities for civic engagement
You're asked what you wrote your college statement/essay about.
Let them know their essay should reflect their interests and experiences, not yours!
A guest says "You keep talking about Buggy and Booth. What if my kid thinks that sounds incredibly nerdy and just wants a normal college experience with football games and tailgates?"
Tell them there are all sorts of ways to get involved at CMU outside of our campus traditions!
A prospective student asks "Is CMU actually worth the price tag compared to a state school?"
Tell them about the world class education and opportunities available to CMU students- during and after your time here! Feel free to acknowledge that finances play an important role in picking the right school for you
In the late 1980s, many universities adopted this term to refer to their campus tour guides
Ambassadors
A guest asks you about the party scene on campus and wants to know how much you go out and drink on the weekends
Emphasize that there are options for everyone.
- "There’s definitely a fun social scene if you look for it, but what I love is that it's not the only thing to do.
- Talk about pgh opportunities
A guest asks you to pet sit for them while they are out of town.
Decline and redirect the conversation to something more appropriate and relevant
A guest asks "What is CMU’s official stance on the professor who made those viral, hostile social media posts? Do you feel safe taking classes in the Modern Languages department?"
“I’m aware of the situation and understand why people have questions about it. I’m not really in a position to speak on behalf of the university. What I can tell you is that the university is aware of the concerns and handles matters like this through the appropriate channels.”
And then come tell madeleine!
A parent of a prospective student is asking if you are single and wants to set you up with their kid
You can tell them that is not appropriate, tell them you aren't single (whether that's true or not), and then change the subject. Let a staff member know if they are pushy or persistent and making you uncomfortable
It takes roughly the same amount of time to do what as it would to give 60 consecutive tours?
Fly to the moon
A guest asks "How much financial aid did you get to come here? Are you drowning in student debt, or are your parents paying for all of this?"
Redirect!
Tell them that finances look completely different for every single student and let them know about the Financial Aid office as a resource/place to ask questions
You're on a small tour with only a few guests and they ask you to give the tour in another language that you speak.
Politely decline and let them know that is not currently feasible, though CMU is developing virtual materials that allow guests to engage across multiple languages
A guest says" CMU keeps expanding its campus footprint, building massive tech centers, and buying up property in the East Liberty and Oakland areas. Do you think its okay that the university is actively driving up housing costs and pushing out the local Pittsburgh community?"
Acknowledge without spending too much time on it- something like "that's a thoughtful/important question you've brought up. I don't have any insight on CMU's planning and development, but I'd be happy to share your concern with my higher ups"
A guest asks if their student could transfer to CMU Miami after being admitted to the Pittsburgh Campus
Let them know CMU Miami is not currently enrolling undergrad students, but more information about the new campus is available online
In what year was the University of Pennsylvania's Kite and Key Society founded, making it one of the oldest student-run ambassador and tour organizations in the country
1924