A brief packing list to give chaperones an idea of what they should plan to bring with you to University Park on your scheduled group visit date. In addition, we’ve included some tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your time on campus.
Large Group Visit Chaperone Prep and Packing List
We are very excited to welcome you to Penn State University Park! Below is a brief packing list to give you an idea of what you should plan to bring with you to University Park on your scheduled visit date. In addition, we’ve included some tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your time on campus.
Chaperone Preparation PDF
We recommend bringing:
- Comfortable walking shoes, as our tour is just under three miles long.
- Weather appropriate clothing: tours are rain or shine! If you want to check the weather for your visit, use zip code “16802” or search “State College, Pennsylvania” to get the most accurate prediction.
- A bag to carry your items, big enough for some paper, since we will be giving you admissions information upon arrival.
- Your student roster with contact information, should anyone get separated from the tour.
- A current list of chaperones, in case you get separated from the tour!
- Something to write with and something to write on, as you might want to write down important dates, or the email address of your admissions counselor or tour guides.
- A few questions for the admissions counselor or your tour guides – they love questions, and they are happy to answer them or point you in the right direction.
- A water bottle! Penn State has water bottle stations across campus to fill up, and there is one right outside the presentation room.
To help your students get the most out of their visit:
- Encourage your students to do some research on campus and the school before arriving. This will help them think of some questions to ask during the visit!
We have provided a list of links to your students, found below, in case you want to take a look as well:
- If your students have specific admissions questions, encourage them to reach out to their presenter using the admissions counselors’ business card, or by emailing admissions@psu.edu.
- During your time on campus you and your students will get to interact with our current student tour guides! This is a great opportunity to learn more about what student life is like on campus, what classes are like, and what the “day in the life” of a Penn State student looks like.
- Tour guides are not permitted to answer specific questions regarding admissions decisions, their personal SAT scores or acceptance process, and any questions about their personal financial aid
- Help your students remember our tour guides are volunteers and current students. Please remember to be respectful at all times, and help your students do the same. It is important that all cell phones and electronic devices remain in their pockets and backpacks throughout the tour, and that students ask appropriate questions. Tour guides will do their best to answer all questions about campus life and life at college, but it is important that chaperones help students understand what an appropriate question is. We do not expect our tour guides to answer questions about sensitive topics and it is your responsibility as the chaperone to ensure that guides do not feel uncomfortable with the nature of your student’s questions.
Contact Information
The number of our Welcome Desk, in case you have any problems while away from the Shields Building: (814) 865-5471.
- Please do not call the Admissions Office if you need to reach us, call the number outlined here.
- Always call 911 first in an emergency.
