By Zaynab Zaman, Special Writer
For Princeton natives, the sight of swarming tourists blocking traffic on Nassau Street is no unusual occurrence, in fact something so predictable that it doesn’t even warrant a raised eyebrow.
Hundreds of visitors flock daily to this quiet town to visit Princeton University, some coming in busloads, others driving upwards of four hours. During the summer, such numbers may require more than 15 student-led tours a day, each including 10 to 50 tourists, and lasting about an hour.
Orange Key student tour guides herd tourists, prospective students and their parents outside of Frist Campus Center to wait until tours begin. As the guides wait, they share stories about funny tourists, particularly anecdotes about over-zealous parents.
“If I get asked my SAT score again, I’ll tell them I forgot it,” one guide told another.
The tours begin as the visitors haphazardly divide themselves among the guides, who begin walking immediately.
A popular first stop is the Class of 1879 Arch. Alumnus Woodrow Wilson was a class member: “President of the university, governor of New Jersey and president of the United States,” they say in one breath.
Guides transparently express surprise at the wonderful acoustics, describing night-time arch sings. They transition into discussing extracurricular options before steering the group towards McCosh Courtyard.
As they walk backwards, making uncomfortable eye contact with tourists in front, guides will often engage in small talk, asking about interests and hometowns.
At Firestone Library, they cover writing requirements, referencing Michelle Obama’s senior thesis as an example. A few steps away is the Princeton University Chapel, whose stained glass and intricate gothic design make it one of the most beautiful buildings on campus.
Before taking groups into the chapel, however, guides always check for occupants. A beloved cautionary tale describes a guide who took his group into the chapel and accidentally interrupted a wedding.
The most iconic stop for tourists is Nassau Hall, which at one point housed the entire university. Guides never fail to warn their groups about FitzRandolph Gateway, explaining that Princeton students may only pass through the main gates that traditionally separate the university and the town twice in their four years, as incoming freshmen and as outgoing seniors.
“If you pass through those gates at any other time, legend has it you will not graduate” they preach. “JFK (President John F. Kennedy) was a student here, but he walked through those gates and immediately fell sick. He returned to Boston, and was forced to transfer to Harvard,” they say, adopting a horrified tone at such a scenario.
Blair Arch is next, where guides describe residential life. Even the most apathetic visitors listen attentively, particularly when the unique eating club system is mentioned.
Seventy percent of sophomores, juniors and seniors belong to one of the 11 eating clubs, guides explain. Each one has a different personality, with some tailored towards athletes, hipsters or even legacy students.
Guides note that though the members study and lounge in the Prospect Avenue clubs by day, on weekend nights, the eating clubs open their doors for socializing.
Six of the eating clubs have a bicker process, which guides rename as “selective.” In bicker, a prospective member must be selected by club members. The other five clubs are not selective.
After the eating club discussion, tourists are assured that there are many other dining options available. Students may cook for themselves as independents, join a co-op and share cooking duties, or stay on the residential college meal plan system.
Most guides linger at their stops, so they typically rush through Prospect Garden and hastily conclude at Frist, sharing their reasons for choosing Princeton.
Many say they were attracted to the political awareness of campus, the phenomenal faculty, or the strong academics. Almost all, however, describe how they fell in love with Princeton, and how they could truly envision themselves on the campus as students.
With that, the tour concludes, but the tired guides stick around to give directions or answer questions. Each guide points out ice cream shops and reassures anxious parents in different ways, but to one question, each guarantees the same and succinct answer.
“Is it easy to get in?”
