As Commencement approaches, Gettysburg’s Admissions senior student guides reflect on their time and experiences introducing prospective students and their families to Gettysburg College. Over the past four years, many of them have formed lifelong memories while representing the College and expressing their love for the campus community.
These students have worked closely as a team to strengthen their communication and leadership skills so they could provide visitors a student-to-student perspective of what life is like at Gettysburg College. Explore their reflections on how Gettysburg has impacted their lives as students and the legacy they will leave at Gettysburg.
Being a tour guide reminds me every single day why I love Gettysburg College and its surrounding campus community. I love interacting with prospective students and families and am so lucky to be an integral part of their college decision process. I have been a tour guide at Gettysburg since my first year, and it has always been such an important part of my college experience. It has provided me the chance to enhance my communication and storytelling abilities as well as my public speaking skills.
My favorite tour had to be the last Get Acquainted Day, where I was able to meet multiple families on such an exciting and joyous occasion. My role as a tour guide led me to my current position as a Senior Admissions Intern, where I assist with numerous duties in the office and interview prospective students who are interested in attending Gettysburg College. I am confident that the experiences I have had within the Admissions Office will help me in whatever role I pursue following my graduation in May.
Anna Baitel is a psychology major and business minor.
I have been a tour guide for a little over a year now, and I can safely say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have gone through in college. From my first year being cut short due to COVID-19 to hybrid learning throughout my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to make the most of my junior and senior years. After coming back from an amazing abroad experience, I was eager to become more involved on campus.
One of my favorite memories from this past year as a tour guide would have to be Get Acquainted Day. It reminded me of my own experience touring Gettysburg: a beautiful day in April, the quads full of students, the roaring fountain, a delicious Servo meal. Get Acquainted Day is a special day for accepted students but also tour guides as well. Being a tour guide has made me so much more appreciative of the community I have been lucky enough to be a part of, and I am so grateful for my four years on this amazing campus.
Caroline Egan is a health sciences major and sociology minor.
“My time as a tour guide has helped me learn so much more about our community and introduced me to people I know will be lifelong friends.”– Claire Miller
Claire Miller is a political science major and economics minor.
My favorite tour memory was about a week after I gave my tour to a prospective student and his family. I received an email from the student which consisted of him thanking me for the tour and assuring me he would apply to come here. I really appreciated how it felt as if I had served as a great representative of the College and represented the Gettysburg College experience well. It is nice knowing I can make the stressful college process for them easier.
Connor Pratt is a business, organizations, and management major and economics minor.
I’ve been a tour guide since my first year, which has been one of the highlights of my Gettysburg College career. I love being able to meet so many people from all different backgrounds and interests.
One of my favorite memories actually happened recently during a tour! As I was taking a family into the Science Center, I spotted a praying mantis on the ground in the building doorway. I told them that must mean good luck, and I grabbed a leaf to move the praying mantis to a safer spot in the grass. That family was super outgoing and charismatic, which always makes tours fun and memorable.
Three months later, I received an email from that same student titled “Admissions Update.” It always warms my heart when I hear back from students from my tours. This quote in particular made my entire week:
“Just three days ago, I got my admissions decision back from Gettysburg and thought back to you, the praying mantis saver. Seeing such a well-kept, bright, and good-looking campus with you as an amazing tour guide was a moment to remember and made Gettysburg my top choice school.”
It means so much to me that I could represent Gettysburg in such a positive light and provide a memorable tour experience. I’ll never forget this student’s email, and it was such a great way to start my final spring semester as a tour guide! I keep my eye out for praying mantises now.
Abby Roy is a biology major and neuroscience minor.
Being a tour guide has been an enjoyable experience that has allowed me to connect with many great prospective students and families, but it has also taught me so much about Gettysburg College itself. During my trainings, specifically for being a summer tour guide, I grew to know more of the incredible opportunities available through the school as well as what really goes into making Gettysburg so great!
Victoria Staub is a political science and Italian studies double major and religious studies minor.
I became a tour guide because I wanted the opportunity to show prospective students the incredibly supportive community that they will find here at Gettysburg College. During my time here, I have been able to find support academically and socially, and I don’t know if I would have found that same support elsewhere.
Miranda Zamora is a political science major and Spanish minor.
Compiled by Katie Beach ’21 and edited by Helen O’Neill ’23
Photos provided
Posted: 05/04/23