Colleges across the state are beginning tours for the first time since the pandemic began. Indiana University has started offering small outdoor-only guided tours for already admitted students.
These in-person tours were not available to students after March of last year. Only virtual tours were available after that date. IU freshman Malhar Lakshman says the virtual tour wasn’t good preparation for attending IU.
“Google doesn’t really tell you the feel of the location so it’s kind of like a hail Mary," Lakshman said. "I wasn’t sure what the campus felt like.”
Like Lakshman, many IU freshmen came to Bloomington without ever stepping foot on campus before their first day of classes last fall. Lakshman is glad to hear next year’s freshmen class will get to take tours.
"Yeah, I definitely think it will prepare them a lot better especially considering how big the campus is. It’ll help them know everything in relation to everything is. Which is probably worth its weight in gold.”
Admitted students who do not feel comfortable going on the tours are still able to do a virtual tour online or they may do a driving tour around campus. Information for all three options can be found on the IU Office of Admissions website.
