I went undercover on a UNC Admissions tour
I had a name tag and everything
Before you got to Carolina, you probably went on a campus tour with your parents and a whole bunch of confused high schoolers trying to figure out if UNC was the place for them. I know I’ll never forget my UNC Admissions tour.
I was a senior in high school, it was late April, and with the May 1st deadline fast approaching, I desperately needed to figure out where I was going to school. Touring UNC would be a defining moment in my decision-making process: I’d leave the campus knowing this was for me or it wasn’t.
And, thankfully, my visit gave me that “I could see myself here” moment. I was immediately convinced this would be my university.
I thought about what it would be like to go on a tour now as a student. Would it feel different? Would I learn anything new? Is everything the Admissions Ambassadors say true?
I have to confess: I wondered about this partly because I’ve tried (and failed) to be become an ambassador for the last two years. No hard feelings, though.
So, I showed up at Jackson Hall one Friday, disguised as a high school student and careful not to wear any UNC gear. I even had a name tag. I casually joined a tour with one of the Admissions Ambassadors (we’ll call him “Jared”). Clearly I could still pass as a high schooler, because no one questioned me.
Walking through campus, the guide mentioned a lot of things I already knew. But he also touched on a few things I didn’t know. Like, did you know on-campus residents have access to HBO Go? So if you’ve yet to start on Game of Thrones, you have no more excuses. Now is your time.
There were a few things I remembered from my own tour. Old East was the only building on campus when UNC was founded, making it the first state university building in the U.S. The Old Well was the only source of water back then, and the primary source for more than a century.
And of course, there’s the tradition of drinking from the Old Well on FDOC to get a 4.0 for the semester. Our tour guide said: “I might be doing something wrong. There must be some drinking technique.”
Jared told the story about the Davie Poplar on McCorkle Place – the one you’ve probably heard seven times by now. Long story short, the tree we have now isn’t real. Oh, and South Building didn’t have a roof for its first 14 years. Fun fact: it’s also where Chancellor Folt’s office is.
But there were a few things Jared said that I have doubts about. Like when he mentioned the P2P is always there at 2am “when you’re coming home from a late night of studying.” Let’s be real, Jared. That isn’t what we use the P2P for.
“I’ve never had weak internet access, ever.” OK, Jared. That might be a stretch.
“The quad is probably a 10-12 minute walk to the dorms.” Sure, if you’re a champion speed walker.
“Only seven percent are large lecture classes. I think I’ve only had one class over 100 students.” We would very much like to know what classes Jared is taking.
Referring to Academic Advising, “they’re super helpful.” Honestly, I’ve actually had pretty successful advising appointments. Haven’t heard the greatest things from others, though.
We wrapped up the tour at the Old Well. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy touring again. It’s fun hearing about Carolina from someone who loves it just as much as me.
I almost slipped up and forgot I was supposed to be a high schooler a few times – I had to stop myself from answering questions instead of asking them.
Afterwards, I was tempted to pull every student aside and tell them Carolina is where they are supposed to be. But I’m sure they already realized.
What can I say? I was born to be an Admissions Ambassador.