Page created by: Shannon Plance
Personality + Experience = The Perfect Tour!
When looking at prospective colleges and universities, there are a lot of things that students and parents want to know before making that all important, final decision. Parents may be interested in the overall statistics of how many graduates get into law school. They may also want to know the student to faculty ratio. Students, on the other hand, may want a more personal look at the school. What is the campus life like? Where is the best place to grab a sandwich before class? If you are looking for a fun and informative tour, the J-Walkers can help you out!
The Washington and Jefferson J-Walkers is an organization of student tour guides who are united in the goal of making school tours an educational and enjoyable experience for prospective students and their families. The J-walkers are current W&J students who are trained throughout the school year on W&J history, informative statistics and general information that should be offered on a campus tour. However, each J-walker is an individual and no one tour is alike. They each offer forth their individual advice and diverse experiences while leading tours. Tour guides may be able to share their unique study abroad experience in Ireland or share the inside scoop on a really cool intersession class!
The J-Walkers are expected to be dedicated in the shared goal of introducing prospective students to W&J. They not only lead tours, but participate in other events as well. They volunteer at various Open Houses throughout the year, talk about life as a W&J student at events and panels, and host prospective students and take them to classes.
J-Walkers are expected to stay informed of the college's advancements as well. They are required to attend training sessions. This may sound tedious, but they are educational and entertaining! New J-walkers must attend a buddy tour, a tour where they shadow a veteran tour guide so that they are comfortable doing a tour alone.
As current students, the J-walkers have had the opportunity to experience campus and academic life at W&J, so prospective students are able to gain an honest look at what might be expected if they choose to attend the college. Yes, they might hear an occasional statistic or historical fact, after all it is the job of the J-walker to know this. Yet, they will also see the campus from the point of view of a student, someone not much older than them, who truly understands exactly what they need to know to make that final decision.
J-Camp 2007: Food, Bonding and a Trip Down the River.
J-walker members are constantly interacting with people. Yet, they don't just interact with prospective students and their families; they have the opportunity to bond with fellow J-walkers. It's not just about giving tours-- J-Walkers have the opportunity to go on field trips, attend sporting events and cookouts!
This year the first J-Camp was put into action, and it was a weekend of team bonding, laughter--and kayaking! Twelve J-walkers spent a weekend meeting people and forming bonds that would last a lifetime. I had the chance to go this year and it was an experience that I will never forget.
J-Camp occurred over a hot summer weekend, when work was beginning to slow down for all of us who had summer jobs, and we were beginning to look forward to coming back to W&J for the year. After arriving at W&J, which was a sight for sore eyes, we all met for dinner in the admission house and played games around a bonfire outside. We retired to our rooms and met early the next day to learn more about each other. I had the opportunity to talk with people that I knew through school and classes, but had never really had a true conversation with. Our morning ended and we all hopped in a van for the next big adventure.
Kayaking is something that I had never done before, but it is something that I got to experience for the first time at J-Camp! As we continued on our strenuous journey, and believe me kayaking is not easy, we also took the time to relax, play games and swim a little. After our kayaking adventure, we returned back to campus and got ready to end the exciting weekend with a Washington Wild Things Game where we cheered as they announced our group name on the intercom!
J-Camp 2007 was a wonderful experience that was unlike anything I ever expected. Through the team bonding activities, I got to know new people, form friendships, and learn many new things about people that I already knew. I learned skills that will help me be a better tour guide, but above all, I gained great memories that I will continue to treasure.
A few words from the Pros
Based on Interview conducted with Jarel Settles: Class of '09 Student Supervisor
I first became involved with J-walkers my freshman year when my roommate encouraged me to attend the club activity fair. I started out as a novice J-walker and I am now one of three student supervisors for the club.
As a J-Walker, I feel that we hold a very beneficial role on campus as we strive to portray the college in a positive light. Being a J-walker is an honorable position, in which we get to work in the admission house with the wonderful staff and meet students from all over the country! Being a J-Walker also allows you to meet students that already go to W&J and live on campus.
If I had to give a general description of the J-walkers for potential candidates, I would simply describe it as a club for a wide range of people that encourages you to get involved and come together as a team unit.
Based on Interview conducted with Gretchen Perschke Class of '08 Veteran J-Walker
The J-Walkers beckoned to me my freshman year through an email inviting me to attend an introductory meeting. It was at this point that I became a dedicated member of J-Walkers. When I joined the J-Walker program, I became a member of an enriching student ambassador organization that works to paint a realistic picture of what the W&J students and community are like and what prospective students and family members can expect.
To be a J-Walker you should be a very outgoing person, friendly and personable. To put it simply, you should be a people person. As a J-Walker, you are an asset to the college because you strive to give the school a good reputation and give students a look at what wonderful things W&J has to offer, most importantly--a positive attitude coming from a current student.
One of the most rewarding things I have experienced as a J-Walker is giving tours to prospective students in the fall or spring of their junior or senior year. They often have no idea where to settle when it comes to colleges, and a tour could be a very important aspect of their decision. However if the next term rolls around and you see that student in one of your classes-- you know that you may have helped them make an easier transition.
Its not all work!
The W&J J-Walkers are a very important aspect of campus life at Washington and Jefferson. As a result of this, the Office of Admission has incorporated the Frequent Participation Program. Every time a J-Walker participates in an event, gives a tour, or helps out in some way they are awarded points! At the end of the semester, points are tallied and the J-Walker with the most points wins a special prize!
Tour: 3 Points
Showing a prospective student your room: 2 Points
Escorting a prospective student to a class: 1 point
Participating on a panel: 3 points
Hosting a prospective Student on an overnight visit: 5 points
Participate in on campus event: 5 points
Participate in off-campus event: 5 points
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a J-Walker, contact the J-Walker office at 724-250-3349 or the Office of Admission at 724-223-6025.
Want to Learn More..Check These Out!
W&J Website
W&J Wikipedia
J-Camp 2007 Video
Facebook J-Walker Page
J-Walkers
