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The Future is Now for Campus Tours

 

A few weeks ago, we began offering campus tours and like many colleges, our tours look a bit different from the past.  We’re keeping tour groups intentionally small and spending as much time outside as possible.   In addition, just this week, Holy Cross was featured in an article by Inside Higher Education about the future of the campus tour.  

What an exciting moment it was to once again welcome prospective students and their families to our campus. As excited as our guests have been, our tour guides have been equally as excited to show off their school, their campus and to talk about their experience as a Holy Cross student.  

There was so much excitement, in fact, that all the available tours for the summer quickly booked.  Recently, we’ve been able to add more tour spaces and there’s now availability throughout the rest of the summer.

With the return of visitors, I am reminded of a blog entry I wrote 13 years ago about campus tours as some of it bears repeating.  On college campuses, too often we see a family pour out of their car, run to catch the tour, the information session and then sprint back to the car to make it to the next campus for the next tour and information session.

I’m here today to call upon everyone just to slow down.

Seriously – slow down.

 

Billy Collins ‘63 (U.S. Poet Laureate, 2001-2003) said the following about education:

 

Although teaching and learning themselves have been motorized by the hyper-pace of information, it is good to remember that the true tempo of education has always involved a deceleration. . . .  a shift from the urgencies and demands of the world to the more leisurely pace of discussion, the cadence of study and reflection, the seeming stop-time of engrossed thought.

 

When visiting colleges this summer, instead of sprinting from car to tour to info session to car, I want to encourage families to simply slow down.  Schedule your visits so there’s enough time to linger, to truly experience a college campus.  

The most valuable insight from a college visit often comes when you’re not looking for it – a door held for you when you least expect it; the friendly smile from a professor who passes you on the sidewalk; or a conversation between students you overhear at the campus coffee shop.  You’ll only notice these if your pace is leisurely and you just might experience the best part of education – the deliberate and delightful deceleration.

 

~Drew Carter | Deputy Director of Admission

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Kerrin Mannion ’19

 

 

Name: Kerrin Mannion

Major/Minor/Concentration: English

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: Boston Ballet School Marketing/Communications Intern

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Crusader Connections

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I am excited to help with the school’s social media. I was an intern for Holy Cross Marketing’s social media so I’m looking forward to expanding the skills I learned there.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I hope to enhance my writing skills and learn how to transfer them to a business setting. I also hope to learn about the brand and how it maintains its integrity through all of its communications.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: I think it’s best to keep an open mind when doing an internship. Sometimes there are aspects of the job that might not be exactly what you expected but it’s best to look at every moment as a learning opportunity. Even if there is a task you don’t like as much, it will help you weigh the pros and cons and determine whether you really want to pursue that field in the future.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: I definitely did not expect to have this opportunity. I had always danced as a child throughout high school, so it is amazing to be able to help with the marketing initiatives for such a world renowned dance program.
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Sader Summer Scoop: Milagros Montenegro ’18

 

 

 

Name: Milagros Montenegro

Major/Minor/Concentration: Sociology

Graduation Year: 2018

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: Research Assistant for Field Research Gallo-Cruz Worcester Women’s Activist

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Professor Gallo-Cruz

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: Placing my understanding of sociology into application.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: Learning more about the Worcester community through the stories of its women.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: Do what sounds exciting and challenging both academically and personally, that’s the only way you will grow as a student/person in the next four years.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?:No, but I am extremely fortunate and excited for it.

 


Interviewee Pastor Judy and she runs the LGBT Asylum Seekers Task Force here in Worcester.
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Sader Summer Scoop: Emily Sullivan ’19

 

 

 

Name: Emily Sullivan

Major/Minor/Concentration: Psychology/Sociology

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Research

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: This summer, as a recipient of the Greisch Scholarship, Dr. Gallo-Cruz and I are analyzing both self-help books as well as memoirs which focus on the topic of dysfunctional families. We are coding these books for the types of dysfunction and the circumstances surrounding the situational or personal challenges they faced. Stemming from this, and most importantly, we are looking at how these people have overcome and moved past their difficult histories. Additionally, we are putting these codes into a coding software that allows us to compare across the different books.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: My sociology advisor, Dr. Gallo-Cruz, had previously created this project with a Holy Cross alumnus. She asked me to help her this summer in the next stage of the project, which I accepted.

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: This research allows me to put what I learn in the classroom into practice. Seeing the theories and concepts which I have learned map directly onto the cases that I am studying displays the direct correlation between theory, practice, and real world application.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: This experience gives me the opportunity to see what it is like to be a social scientist. Additionally, I will be participating in the Sociology Honors Program my senior year and this work will be helpful practice for me in creating my thesis.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing research?: I would highly recommend doing summer research. It gives you a different perspective on the work that you do as a student as well as that of your professors. If you want to do summer research, talk to your advisors. They can directly assist you or help you find someone who can. Your advisors also know your strengths and weaknesses as well as the classes you have taken which also can help them send you in the right direction.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: I did not expect to have this opportunity in college. Most people just think about the opportunities that you have during the academic year, but Holy Cross offers many different options for the summer as well that I didn’t even know about until I got here.
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Tips for Your Next Campus Visit

 

 

The summer is a great time to visit college campuses and get an idea of what the school is like. Below are some tips to help make your visit a successful one.

 

What to do:

– Ask questions about what interests you! Your tour guide would love to share their student perspective.

– Answer questions if the tour guide asks. Be interactive!

– Be prepared. Wear appropriate footwear for a tour because you will be walking around a lot. HC is very hill-y and has a lot of stairs. Don’t forget to bring water on those hot summer days.

– Arrive early to have enough time to check-in or use the restroom. Tours leave promptly at the time stated.

– Arrange accommodations. If you need special accommodations such as a wheelchair, arrange it with the office before arriving to campus.

– Don’t be shy. Ask to be directed to other sources for more information. Or ask your tour guide for their email if you have follow up questions.

 

What not to do:

– Use your phone or answer a phone call. It can be distracting for others who are trying to enjoy the tour and even your tour guide.

– Walk away from the group. It is difficult for a guide to keep track of everyone or hold up the group by waiting for someone who wandered off. Allow extra time after your tour to explore the campus.

– Interrupt your guide while they are speaking. Once they are finished, they will be available for questions.

– Fall behind. It is difficult for tour guides to speak loudly enough for everyone to hear, especially if people are falling behind.

– Get frustrated. Try to keep calm and not get annoyed with the tour guide. They do their best to answer all of your questions honestly and to the best of their knowledge.

– Ask personal questions. They are willing to answer questions related to the College, but please respect their privacy.

 

Good questions to ask your tour guide:

  1. What made you choose your major/minor/concentration?
  2. What is your favorite thing about Holy Cross or Worcester?
  3. What are you involved in on campus?
  4. What have you learned at HC that you will take with you beyond your college years?
  5. What is the benefit of a liberal arts education?
  6. In what aspects of campus life are Jesuit values most evident? What about social life, academics or religion?

 

Want more out of your tour? Check out our Summer Tour Guide’s HC Visit Bucket List!

  1. Visit the bookstore.
  2. Walk around and watch students interact with one another. (Get an authentic feel of the student body.)
  3. Visit the dining hall.
  4. Visit the athletic center.
  5. If you see a professor or student walking by, stop them and ask them some questions.

 

 

 

 

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Olivia Lozy ’20

 

 

Name: Olivia Lozy

Major/Minor/Concentration: Psychology/Studio Art

Graduation Year: 2020

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: I work at BBDO in New York City as an  Account Management Intern. I was assigned to the Dunkin’ Donuts account, which is brand new to BBDO (they just won Dunkin’ in May). Specifically,  I’m assisting with compiling competitive reports, analyzing consumer activity through statistics, social media, news, blogs, and other platforms, working with the creative and strategic teams, ensuring accurate budgeting for productions, overseeing production spots, brainstorming ways Dunkin’ can increase brand outreach, to name a few!

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Crusader Connections

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: Being a sponge and learning as much as I can about advertising!

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: A clearer sense of what I want to do following graduation and what my career path holds. I’d like to know where my talents can most effectively be utilized and if advertising is the industry in which that can happen.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: Apply to anything that interests you! You might find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone, challenging yourself and learning a lot about something you otherwise never would’ve known. It’s a lovely way to expand both your academic and professional horizons whilst gaining personal experience that can lead you to investing your time in rewarding activities or a career.

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Pilar Segura ’19

 

 

Name: Pilar Segura

Major/Minor/Concentration: Psychology/Neuroscience

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Research

 

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?:I work as an assistant in the learning & conditioning lab where I handle 6 pigeons on a daily bases.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Through my professor when I joined his lab

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I am excited about the freedom I have and responsibility I am able to take that nowhere else is available.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I hope to get published as much as possible during my gap years once I graduate (professors usually take 1-3 years to write up experiments).

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing research?: Be active, don’t be afraid to ask about what you are interested– it might get you to an opportunity you didn’t expect to be available

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: NO WAY!

 

 

 

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Lily Droesch ’21

 

 

Name: Lily Droesch

Major/Minor/Concentration: Economics

Graduation Year: 2021

What are you doing this summer?: Maymester

 

 

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: I am studying in Rome Italy at the John Felice Rome Center through Loyola of Chicago. The program is 6 weeks long and I’m taking a Theology and Italian class. I’m really enjoying the Italian class as I’m constantly surrounded by the language when walking around the city. The Theology class has been amazing so far and so unique as every class we visit a different church(es). This class is so unique as I get to learn about Catholicism and see churches most tourists would not see.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: I heard about this opportunity from my fall orientation leader and then through emails.

 

 

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I am most excited about getting to know the city of Rome better while also taking classes that are integrated with the culture. It is also very enjoyable to be a part of the Italian way of life as it is something so new to me.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I am hoping to gain a better sense of self and independence but also a new way of looking at things through my courses. I am also hoping to gain new friendships and rich experiences.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing a Maymester?: I would 100% recommend a Maymester program as it is the perfect amount of time to test out being abroad and really have a great experience while taking common requirement courses. The courses offered are also so unique and give you a hands on experience where you really get to know the city you’re in.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: No, I never expected to have an experience like this and just thought study abroad was limited to junior year. I love that Holy Cross is so unique in having this program as it is the perfect way to gain experience and teaches you so many things a regular classroom class does not.

 

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Efrain Lozano ’19

 

 

 

Name: Efrain Lozano

Major/Minor/Concentration: Spanish and International Studies double major

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: I am the Original Content/Features Intern at the National Football League (NFL) in Culver City, CA. Basically I help create original stories from players, teams, etc. In which the fans could relate to and somehow connect with our organization. I do research packets on each story I’m out in charge of and from there gather and compile footage that is sent to the producers and editors to cut it and put it together. I also get to sit through the edits of the stories I help put together, and sometimes even be present for the shoots.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: My own research as well through Crusader Connections.

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I’m excited to be able to get the first hand experience of the ins and outs of the NFL. Having the opportunity to have that hand on experience with one of the biggest organizations in the world is great. In addition, having the opportunity to meet and network with so many important people, as it will prepare me to deal with these important people once I graduate from HC.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I hope that after this experience, I am able to grow both professionally and personally. I think that this opportunity is great in the sense that I am taken very serious as if I were a regular employee. This pushes me to try my best every single day I’m in the office, so I definitely know this is a great start for my future career.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: Take advantage of every single opportunity you have to network with people from every department. You never know who you will meet at your internship, so always ask questions and be ready to put yourself outside of your comfort zone, that will give you the best experience.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: Definitely not! I never imagined that I was going to work for such organization or even meet NFL players one-on-one.
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Sader Summer Scoop: Paulina Martin ’21

 

 

Name: Paulina Martin

Major/Minor/Concentration: History

Graduation Year: 2021

What are you doing this summer?: Maymester

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?:I am spending a month in southern India. We spent the first two weeks hearing from various non-profits about the problems India faces today and what they are doing to help, and the second two weeks diving deep into an internship at one of these non-profits. I interned at Sumanahli, an organization that focuses on providing treatment and community to individuals affected by leprosy.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: I saw a sign up in an academic building at Holy Cross! The thought of traveling to a place SO different than anything I’d ever experienced seemed like such an amazing way to end my first year of college, so I sent in my application within weeks.

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I was most excited to learn everything I could about a different part of the world. I knew very little about Asian/Indian culture before embarking on this trip. Coming here, I’ve loved forming connections and hearing the lived experiences of those who grew up/are growing up with a different world view.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I think coming in, I was hoping to prove to myself that I could withstand a month in perhaps the most different place I could possibly have gone. Now that I’m only a few days from leaving, I can confidently say that not only can I stand it, I can enjoy the adventure. I am coming back to Holy Cross with a greater sense of self, friends across the globe, and an even stronger desire to work with the world’s marginalized.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing a Maymester?: Do it. Do it even though it is scary, no, TERRIFYING. These are the experiences that will grow you beyond belief, and introduce you to individuals you otherwise never would have crossed paths with.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: I certainly expected opportunities to study abroad in college, but I never thought I could to India, and I never thought I could fit it in as a month long summer program that allowed me to do even MORE traveling during the school year itself {i.e. a junior year abroad in Europe}.