15 Tips for Getting the Vibe Right on Your Admitted Student Days

A few weeks ago, I embarked on a small but crucial research project. I texted a few dozen high school counselors and asked them: What’s the deal-sealer for students at admitted student days? Is there one thing that really stands out?

While my methods weren’t exactly peer-reviewed, the answer was overwhelming: the vibe.

Students aren’t just looking for a solid academic program or a nice dorm. They’re trying to figure out if your campus feels right—if it matches the energy they want for the next four years. So, the big question: Can you actually create a vibe?

Short answer: Absolutely.

With that in mind, here are 15 ways to make sure your admitted student day nails it.

Planning the Event

1. Don’t phone in tour guide training.

Your student ambassadors have the power to make or break an admitted student’s visit. Be intentional. Train them well. Bring in guest speakers from key offices (career services, mental health counseling, campus safety) so they’re ready for real questions. And most importantly, coach them in the fine art of storytelling—because no one remembers a scripted campus tour, but everyone remembers a great story.

2. Use current students to plan the event.

Admitted student day planning often falls on the adults in the room. But who better to shape a great visit than students who were just in your visitors’ shoes last year? They know what worked (and what gave them secondhand embarrassment). Let them support in planning, and you’ll be amazed at what actually resonates with them.

3. Treat your tour guides like rock stars.

Your student ambassadors are the vibe. Hype them up. Maybe have your university president stop by a training session to reinforce how important their role is. The more energy you put into your student leaders, the more they’ll bring to your admitted student day.

4. Consider the timing.

When is the deadest time on a college campus? Saturday morning. And yet, nearly every admitted student event takes place then. Sure, it’s convenient for families and for room availability on campus, but nothing beats the Friday energy—students bustling to class, sports happening on the quad, campus buzzing with life. If possible, shift the schedule so families can see campus at its best.

5. Stop making these events so long.

Trying to cram in everything leads to exhausted families eager to escape. Instead, aim for a well-paced event that leaves them wanting more. If you do it right, they’ll stick around afterward to explore, soaking in the vibe on their own instead of sprinting to their car.

6. Offer concierge-style services for parents.

Make it easy. Give them info on direct flights from their hometown, how far the campus is from the airport, and whether they’ll need to rent a car. Not only does this help them plan their visit, but it also gives them a preview of what travel logistics will look like for the next four years.

7. Shadow your own event.

There’s no better way to assess the experience than to go through it yourself. Walk the day as if you were a parent or student. How does it feel? Is it balanced? Is the vibe actually there? Adjust accordingly.

The Day Of

8. Start with a killer welcome speaker.

It’s 8 a.m. on a Saturday (this year, at least…)—no one wants to hear the classic, “Good morning. Oh no no, that wasn’t loud enough… GOOD MORNING!” Instead, find someone engaging, funny (if possible), and a great storyteller. You need someone who can hook students and parents right away.

9. Prioritize peer interaction.

Admitted students are on campus for two things: to see the school and to see who else might be their future classmates. They’re scouting for roommates, friends, their people. Help them connect in a natural, icebreaker-free way—like bringing them to a campus sporting event where they can interact casually while enjoying a shared experience.

10. Treat them like enrolled students, not just admits.

Traditional info sessions can get old. Instead, pull in some of the fun, high-energy activities from orientation—things that help students feel connected to each other and the school, rather than just sitting through more talking heads.

11. Tie in your location.

Make sure families experience the surrounding community. Share a list of favorite off-campus coffee shops, hiking trails, or late-night food spots. Maybe even throw in a 25%-off coupon book to local restaurants. Your go-to local haunts will probably love the extra traffic.

After the Event

12. Keep students connected.

Consider setting up a GroupMe or WhatsApp chat for students who visited on the same day. That way, when one makes the decision to enroll, they’ll share it—and suddenly, you have a built-in ambassador hyping up your school.

13. Create FOMO for those who didn’t attend.

A few well-placed TikToks from the event can make sure students who skipped it feel like they missed out—and book a visit ASAP.

14. Establish a deposit tradition.

Give students a way to make their commitment official in a memorable, Instagram-worthy way. At Tulane, where I served as the Director of Admission, we had a tree decorated with Mardi Gras beads, and admitted students who submitted their deposit on campus got to throw a set onto the tree. Find your version of that—a small but iconic ritual that students will want to share on social media (and their parents will post on Facebook).

15. Don’t wait until summer to read the feedback.

Your comment cards are gold—use them immediately. Run them through AI (ChatGPT can summarize key themes in seconds). If a tour guide gets glowing reviews, let them know right away. If one gets negative feedback, pull them aside for extra training before the next event. The sooner you implement feedback, the better your next admitted student day will be.

Final Thoughts

You can’t manufacture campus energy, but you can set the stage for an immaculate vibe. Nail the details, focus on authentic connection, and let your students and community do what they do best. Your admitted students will feel it—and when the vibe is right, the decision is easy.