MTSU’s College of Graduate Studies continues its strong recruiting efforts to attract more students by launching an exciting initiative to expand tour options for those seeking advanced degrees.

“Graduate school is unique, so we decided to cater to that population and create a tour just for them!” said Sherry Fuller, office coordinator for Graduate Studies. “Plus, we had people asking for tours. It was a no brainer.”

In addition, prospective graduate students would not tour campus on mere foot — grad studies staff would chauffeur them around campus by tapping the university’s fleet of golf carts that make navigating the sprawling campus a bit easier.

“It made sense to hop on the cart and go because the graduate studies office is on the far west side of campus, and we wanted the ability to show students as much of campus as possible and take them all the way to the other side,” Fuller explained.

Lauren Alligood, Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and assistant, left, and Sherry Fuller, MTSU College of Graduate Studies office coordinator, now take prospective graduate students on customized tours of campus via golf cart. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Barrette)

Graduate studies staff like Fuller man the roughly hourlong tours, which kicked off in early spring, along with a graduate assistant. When possible, staff pairs prospective students with a graduate student in their same area of study. These current graduate students can then answer program-specific questions and point out exactly where certain classes will be located. Parents are also welcome on tours.

“In this office, we are very accommodating,” Fuller said. “If someone is interested in a tour, we not only accommodate to their schedule, we want the tour to feel special and personalized to them.”

Lauren Alligood, school counseling graduate student and graduate assistant for the College of Graduate Studies, happily agreed to help with the tours.

Lauren Alligood, Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and assistant, shares how she helps guide the College of Graduate Studies’ new golf cart campus tours for prospective students on March 17, 2022, in Walnut Grove on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Barrette)

Though she is already a student, Alligood still learns more about all that MTSU has to offer while guiding the tours.

“Everything that a student would need can be found on our campus,” she said. “Health services, a post office, a rec center, dining and tech support to name a few. There are so many opportunities available for students to learn and grow outside of their academic program.”

Getting a closer look

Fuller said the tours have been successful so far.

“When they arrive, they think they want to go to MTSU,” she said. “By the end of the tour, they know they want to attend MTSU and hope they are accepted into their specific program.”

The staff’s hopes for future tours are simple: cater to hopeful students while showing off the beautiful campus, the caring staff and the campus community.

“It is always nice to show them the faces of MTSU as we are riding around campus because we usually know someone walking around and can say ‘Hello!’” Fuller said.

Lauren Alligood, Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and assistant, right, and Sherry Fuller, MTSU College of Graduate Studies office coordinator, prepare a golf cart for one of the College of Graduate Studies new golf cart campus tours for prospective students on March 17, 2022, near Walnut Grove on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Barrette)

Now is also a great time to start the application process, Fuller added. Most programs are still accepting applicants for the fall semester, and GRE test waivers are still being offered at https://mtsu.edu/graduate/gre-waivers.php.

Alligood said that though MTSU is a big school with a big campus, it has a community feel to it.

“I personally have felt very welcomed into my program by my peers and professors, which has been great since I didn’t know anyone before moving to Murfreesboro.”

She said she hopes the tours leave visitors feeling more familiar and comfortable with campus.

“Not only do prospective students learn about MTSU, but they are also able to ride around campus and actually picture whether or not MTSU is a good fit for them,” Alligood said.

To schedule a golf cart tour, call the graduate office at 615-898-2840 or email AskGrad@mtsu.edu.

In addition to cart tours, prospective students can virtually tour the campus at https://mtsu.edu/360, take a self-guided tour using this information at https://tinyurl.com/4ht8xc9d or set up an in-person or Zoom meeting with the staff.

— Stephanie Barrette (Stephanie.Barrette@mtsu.edu)