Today I gave a tour for the Admissions Office. The great part about Thacher tours is that, after you shadow another tour guide, you have completed your training, and are ready to go and give tours to prospective parents and students. I love giving tours because I can reflect on what I enjoy about all that Thacher has to offer in guiding students around campus. Although every one of my tours starts off in the same manner–across the Pergola, through the Commons, and into the Performing Arts Center–they all end up varying, based on the interests (and walking speeds) of the applicants. Some (parents included) are enthusiastic, inquisitive, and have obviously read and understood the Thacher website. Others, to my delight, are talkative, funny, and amiable.

And then there are those who are driven and seek to learn specific information about the school, which can be good, if their interests coincide with mine. However, the majority of my tours are given to applicants very much like the eighth grade version of Andrew–shy, nervous, quiet, awkward, and interested students who, by the time the tours have ended, are somewhat more comfortable, informed, and for some, talkative. The tour was what really aroused my interest in Thacher, and I encourage all those who are considering this place to visit.