You've probably seen a Hopkins student walking backwards leading a herd of wide-eyed perspective students across campus. This is a Blue Key tour guide who attempts to show the best of Hopkins in one hour's time to high school students and parents.
Blue Key tour guides are all trained by the Blue Key Society (BKS) before they are qualified to give admission tours. Every year, BKS accepts applications in fall semester from students who are interested in becoming tour guides.
The application, which consists of a series of short questions, is then followed by interviews with executive board members. The board decides upon the qualified applicants. Despite the rigorous application process, BKS sets no limit on the number of tour guide members they take each year.
Once accepted, members must conquer a series of intensive training before even attempting to give a real tour to prospective students. On the first of many training sessions, each new member is given an intensively written tour information book containing at least a million facts and figures about Johns Hopkins. The information ranges from the naming of the institution to the newest and most popular major on campus.
Training sessions involve reviewing the guides and having veteran tour guides test new guides on the various information to be delivered on a comprehensive tour. After these three sessions, tour guides begin shadowing two mandatory tours and two mandatory information sessions which immediately follow tours.
Shortly after completing the tour observations, new tour guides tag-team for two tours, with the option of a third, with qualified tour guides. Finally, they are evaluated and are ready to guide prospective students and parents through the campus once they pass their evaluations.
"I think it's really important to know the history, superstitions, claim-to-fames, and philosophies surrounding JHU," said Megan Solinger, executive board member of BKS. "Being in BKS allows me to positively influence perspective students' decisions and first impressions with my personal experiences and all this unique university has to offer, as well as fulfill my need for being the center of attention!"
Tours are one hour long, and they cover everything possible about the campus. Beginning in Garland, tours weave around campus, show off the lower quad (which in spring is beautiful in its magnolia splendor), and head up the breezeway.
The group then stops near the seal in Gilman. Of course, parents' all-time favorite myth for not stepping on the seal is that if they do, their child will not receive financial aid. Through stairway between Mergenthaler and Remsen, they are regaled with tales of Ira Remsen and his adventures with saccharine.
Security is spoken of, followed by Bloomberg and the observatory. The group tours around the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center briefly, after which housing options and meal plans are discussed.
Upon entering into the MSE Library, prospectives and their families take note of how it becomes increasingly quiet (and depressing) down the levels. They are also encouraged to pick up many of the publications on campus.
As the group proceeds out of the library, tour guides point out the odd activities that could take place on the Beach, and the Wolman and McCoy building across the street. The tour winds up in the Mattin Center, where tour guides emphasize the diversity and the wide range of organizations on campus.
The goal of the tours is to demonstrate that Hopkins has a lively, academically driven, yet fun, atmosphere. Guides make certain to include examples of both academic and social opportunities.
Most tour guides give one tour a week in a slot they signed up for at the beginning of the semester during the BKS general meetings, which are held periodically throughout the year.
The purpose of these meetings is to touch base with BKS members and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
As sophomore Mohak Mhatre said,"Campus tours can make a big difference when students are choosing what schools to apply to, and for accepted students, which school to pick. I wanted to be a representative of JHU for the high-school students, and be involved in giving them a positive image about our school."
One of the more interesting aspects of BKS is that, in conjunction with the Admissions Office, it also participates in special tours given to high-school field trips and other large, organized groups that pre-arrange a touring time. These guides have the option of being paid for their additional services.
BKS accepts prospective guide applications during the fall semester, and training begins at the beginning of spring semester. For more information, visit the Garland Admissions Office or contact bluekey@jhu.edu.
