A Quick Storytime about College Tours

The Power of One Bold Ask

Last week, we joined one of our senior clients for a college tour—the very college she had recently decided to attend this fall. Just twenty minutes before the tour, she called me and asked, “Can my four friends come with us?”

At first, I paused. That’s not how college tours work, I thought. “Usually, you have to pre-register,” I told her, “but let me see what I can do.” I called the college, explained the situation, and to my surprise—and relief—they warmly said, “Yes!”

I’ll be honest: I was a little annoyed at first. It felt inconsiderate, last-minute, and unexpected. But what happened next changed everything.

We met at the college, and I got to know her friends—four amazing young people, all seniors, all still undecided about their post-secondary plans. As we walked the campus together, it became clear this was more than just a favor. It was an opportunity.

By the end of the tour, we had unofficially “adopted” these students, offering our services pro bono to help guide them through their next steps after high school.

Here’s what we learned about this friend group:

1. They are all first-generation college students, navigating unfamiliar territory with limited guidance.

2. This was their very first college tour. A life-changing experience that opened their eyes to new possibilities.

3. They are natural leaders—active in their school and community, with so much potential waiting to be unlocked.

After the tour, I praised my client for thinking of her friends and advocating for their future. We also made plans to support them through summer programming and college prep.

This experience was a powerful reminder: our services are always needed. Sometimes, all it takes is one student brave enough to ask, “Can my friends come too?”—and the ripple effect can be transformative.