TS College Tours - FAQ - College Tours for International School Students

Why should students go on a college tour?

Parents spend between $100,000 and $250,000 on a four year college education for their son/daughter. A college education is a MAJOR investment for every family so you should make the smartest and most secure investment possible. Students do well when they are in an environment where they are most content and appropriately challenged! Visiting college campuses with TS College Tours is the single best way to get a accurate sense of what a college is REALLY like.

How is TS College Tours different from other tours?

Unlike most other tours, we do not simply visit college campuses. Having close contacts with college representatives at each college enables us to arrange PRIVATE TOURS and information sessions specifically designed for our group. In addition, we conduct several evening sessions throughout the tour to complement the visit itself. In order to give students a perspective from a college admissions office, college representatives often co-lead these sessions.

How do I secure a visa to visit the US?

Upon request, TS College Tours can provide a letter confirming their participation in the tour. Upon receipt of the letter, students should visit the US Embassy website in the country in which they are located to learn the process for securing a visa. In most cases, this involves paying a fee at a designated bank and then calling the Embassy visa phone number on the website to arrange for an interview.

What suggestions do you have if I am concerned about my child travelling alone to the US?

We provide all participants with a list of all other students participating in the tour and their contact information. Parents may decide to contact the parents of other participants to arrange for them to be on the same flight(s). Even if a student travels alone, parents are assured that TS College Tours tour leaders will be at the airport to meet students upon their arrival in the US or Canada. A pre-determined meeting point in the airport will be arranged. For certain tours, and for students travelling from some countries, we can arrange to have a TS College Tours representative escort the student(s) to the US.

What happens prior to the tour?

Each participate receives an orientation package which includes several tasks for the student to complete prior to the tour, as well as a summary of each college to be visited, checklists and forms that will be helpful for them to evaluate colleges visited during the tour, and other helpful information about visiting college campuses and tips on the college application process.

Is there a suggested packing list?

Students may bring one piece of check in luggage and one carry-on bag or small backpack. In late April, all participants are sent a complete pre-departure package which includes a list of suggested things to bring.

My child has allergies and /or takes medication. What should I know about this?

Once an application has been received we will contact the parents and student to request the completion of the medical information form.

How much spending money do students require?

All costs for transport, hotels, and meals are included in the tour fee. Students should bring an adequate amount of money for snacks, souvenirs and other discretionary spending. We suggest students bring between $150-$250 spending money for the tour. Students are responsible for their own spending money.

Can students learn who their roommate will be and may we request a particular student as a roommate?

Participants are given the contact information for their roommate in the pre-departure package. Students or parents may request a specific roommate if they so choose. The tour leaders reserve the right to make changes to room sharing arrangements if any issues arise.

May parents go along on the tour?

Due to the student demand and limited bus, hotel, and tour space, the tours are limited to student participation.

Where will students meet and who will be there to meet them?

We ask that participants provide TS College Tours with their detailed flight itinerary. The tour leaders will meet tour participants at a pre-designated spot at the airport.

How will students be transported?

All of our tours use reputable, well-established tour bus companies. Depending on the tour, buses range in size depending on the tour from 29 passenger coaches to luxury 55 seat coaches. All coaches have air conditioning,TVs and DVD players,GPS navigational system and most have bathrooms. We want students to be comfortable considering the time we spend traveling between the various schools.

Where will students be eating meals?

We will normally have breakfast at the hotel or college of our overnight stay. In some cases, we have lunch on college campuses to give students a sense of that aspect of college life. Other times, we eat a lunch on the road as we travel to our next destination. Most dinners are in hotel restaurants or in restaurants near to our accommodations.

Where will students be staying?

As safety is a primary concern of TS College Tours, we choose hotels that have first-class security. Also because of the intense nature of the tours, we know students want to be comfortable. Participants stay in campus residences or at mid-range and upper mid-range hotels, such as the Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and Courtyard Inn by Marriott and Best Western. On each tour, students usually spend one or two nights in a college residence setting so they are able to experience dorm life. Accomodations are normally 2 students per room (same sex). In some university residences, there may be up to 4 participants in a suite type accomodation.

How can I contact my son/daughter?

Your son or daughter is welcome to bring his/ her cell phone. Please verify with your cell phone provider that his/her phone will work in North America. As well, all parents will be provided with the cell phone numbers of the tour leaders as well as contact information for each hotel at which we will be staying.

How can I contact TS Tour leaders while you are traveling?

The tour leaders have their cell/hand phones on at all times; Tour leaders can be contacted 24 hours a day. Occasionally however, they may be unable to answer immediately if they are participating in an information session or meeting with admissions representatives. You may leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Also, the tour director has remote access to email via Blackberry so you may also send an email.

Will students be able to leave the premises alone?

Given the intense schedule, students have limited free time during the tour. During most days, we are either visiting colleges, traveling, or participating in evening sessions from 7pm-9pm. On days that present some unscheduled time, students,in groups of 4, and the guidance of a tour leader, may be able to explore designated areas for limited periods provided they have a cell phone and the numbers of the tour leaders programmed in their phones. The safety of YOUR child is the primary concern of the tour directors and students are not permitted to engage in any behavior which puts themselves or others at risk.

What procedures are in place in case of a medical emergency?

The tour directors carry a list of the closest available hospital/medical service at all times and the tour leaders will contact parents in the event of any medical issue or hospital visit.

May I visit a college which is not on the tour itinerary?

Unfortunately, given logistical complications, we are not able to customize a tour for each student. We have developed our list of colleges to visit endeavoring to accommodate every type of student.

May I go for only three or four days of the tour?

Due to demand, only students who are willing to commit to the full tour will be considered. We would like students to have an inclusive experience and obtain the maximum value for their investment.

What follow-up is available after the tour?

TS College Tours transports students to the airport following the last college visit. For parents/students who are interested in additional support, please contact us to inquire about working with one of our College Admissions Consultants to assist you in the admissions’ process. A variety of packages and services is available.

Will this college tour improve students’ chances of being admitted to their chosen school?

College admissions officers believe visiting a school campus is a positive sign indicating students are seriously interested. As well, making contact with college admission representatives can be extremely valuable; it is much easier for a college to consider a qualified applicant’s admittance if they are able to associate a student with his/her application. Participating in such activities such as visiting its campus, improve their chances.