The inside scoop from an Admissions tour guide

As a second-year tour guide in Rider University’s Office of Admissions, I’m prepared for another year of answering questions posed by prospective students. All of Rider’s tour guides have been prepped to give the best possible answers to the frequently asked questions we receive so that we can help high school students make the best decision about where to begin their college career. We’ll be answering many of these questions at the next Open House on Oct. 25. We hope they choose Rider, but our goal is to give them the best possible information so they can decide what fits their needs. 

Below is a sampling of the most common questions tour guides are asked and the answers we often give. 

What is there to do on campus during the weekends?

Weekend life at Rider University is less quiet than you might think. Every Thursday, an email gets sent out to students with a list of the events taking place on, and sometimes off, campus. From sporting events to concerts to comedians, there is certainly something for everyone. Students might find themselves cheering on friends in a flag football games at Friday Night Lights with free wings from Chickie’s and Pete’s. Or they may be watch professional comedians or hypnotists interacting with audiences in one of Rider’ s theaters. Another favorite and much-attended event is R Factor, an annual singing and talent competition for students who are coached by some of Rider’s favorite staff members. If students don’t feel like staying  on campus, they can take advantage of the Residence Hall Association’s fun trips to see Broadway plays in New York City or go apple picking at Terhune Orchards. 

How is the meal plan?

Daly Dining Hall offers many selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether students are just stopping in for a snack or are looking for a three-course meal, they’re sure to find something. Daly’s offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches and a salad bar daily for lunch and dinner along with a variety of other options of freshly made food options that change frequently. The chefs at Daly’s offer themed nights, such as Crabfest and Taco Night. A particular favorite for breakfast is the customized omelet bar. And of course, Daly’s offers a variety of selections for those special dietary restrictions, such as gluten free, Kosher, vegan and vegetarian options. Students can also get creative and easily make their own wraps, quesadillas and stir fry dishes.

Is college a lot more difficult than high school?

In some ways, yes, college is harder than high school. But on the other hand, it is also easier. Students tend to have a lot more free time as well as the ability to create their own schedule. It is this free time that most students struggle with. It’s very easy to spend all day after class with friends across the hall, letting homework and projects wait until the last minute. It takes some adjustment to develop good study habits. But no professors at Rider want to see students fail, especially as a freshman. Every single professor here has office hours for students to stop by and ask questions. Many classes offer supplemental instruction, which meets twice a week with another student who has already taken the class and go over concepts that are difficult. 

There is also a full-service tutoring center and writing lab for students to take advantage of. Additionally, there are study lounges in every residence hall and several group study lounges in the library, so if students prefer to study with a group of friends before your midterms, there are great places to do so without outside distractions Students who can develop these good study habits and time management skills find college to be a little bit easier than they originally thought. The small class sizes and faculty who are invested in helping you succeed make a big difference. 

Do you need to have a car on campus?

In the simplest terms, no. Students do not need to have a car. And tour guides will generally recommend that freshmen don’t. For one thing, students who stay on campus become more involved in campus life and activities. And, if students want to get off campus to explore the local community or go shopping or take a class at Westminster Choir College, they can still do this without owning a car. Rider offers free shuttle services between the Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses during the week and they also run to the train station, Mercer Mall and MarketFair Mall on weekends. There is also a N.J. Transit bus stop just outside of Rider’s main entrance, which can take students into downtown Princeton. So, even without a car, students will never feel stuck on campus.

To learn more about Rider, attend one of the next two Open Houses to be held on Oct. 25 and Nov. 14.
To sign up, visit www.rider.edu/events/open-houses or contact the Office of Admissions at 609-896-5042.

Interested in becoming a tour guide for the 2016-2017 academic year?