Navigating the college admissions process can be overwhelming. Countless deadlines, application requirements and the pressure of making the “right” choice contributes to an incredibly stressful environment for applicants. Colgate University’s admission ambassadors are among the first to welcome prospective students to Colgate’s campus and serve a crucial role in helping them find the right fit.
Junior Tatsu Nishizawa, a double major in mathematical economics and computer science, has been an admission ambassador since the spring of his first year. On campus, Nishizawa is involved in the Colgate Japanese Club, Greek life and club baseball. He also previously served on the Student Government Association. He continues to balance academics and extracurriculars with being an admission ambassador to help applicants during their college search.
“Right now, my job is formally to be a tour guide and sell the school, but the definition of my job is really to help the people that are visiting Colgate make the right college decision,” Nishizawa explained.
Each tour group at Colgate is relatively small and receives a tour tailored to their interests and priorities within the college search. Touring students not only leave knowing more about the University, but they are also able to connect on a personal level with their tour guides. Nishizawa explained that based on answers to specific questions, facial reactions and comments made throughout the tour, he can customize the information he provides to prospective students.
“If I see someone that is very excited about learning about languages, maybe I will take them to Lawrence Hall. If someone’s very excited about the food on this campus, we might spend a little bit more time in the dining halls,” Nishizawa said. “Every single tour is a little different, and that is just because everyone who comes to Colgate is different, too.”
This aspect is simultaneously rewarding and difficult, as there is no concrete formula for being a good tour guide.
“The exciting and also challenging part about this job is that, even though you’re doing the same job, like giving three tours a week, and that sounds repetitive, all three of those tours are going to be different. It’s really up to you to be able to figure out what’s going to be the best for that tour,” Nishizawa said.
Nishizawa explained that he prioritizes honesty and discovery throughout his tours. Although selling the Colgate experience is an essential part of his job, he realizes that Colgate is not the best fit for everyone. Whether a student decides to apply to and attend Colgate or not, Nishizawa finds it rewarding to be a part of the decision-making process. However, this makes the moment when a student decides to commit to attending Colgate even more special.
“That is definitely a moment that I feel good, not because I was able to sell the school, but because I was able to find someone that understands the greatness of Colgate and has some sort of understanding about what we want our college experience to look like,” Nishizawa said.
Choosing a college is an exciting yet daunting decision for students, as they consider factors such as academics, campus life and future opportunities. However, what many don’t realize is that choosing a school doesn’t stop once they have accepted their offer. Throughout their four-year college experience, students are faced with the need to reaffirm their choice — whether it’s through evolving interests, personal growth or changing goals. Each semester, Colgate students actively choose to stay and contribute to our community for a variety of reasons.
For Nishizawa, the reason that he continues to choose Colgate has been an evolving one.
“It’s definitely a particular school,” Nishizawa said. “It has a very particular location and size. But the fact that everyone on this campus agreed to the fact that they are going to spend four years at a very isolated location and focus on the community here is something that I really like.”
Being an admission ambassador goes beyond simply showing a university’s amenities or crafting a narrative, it gives prospective students the space to reflect on what they want from their college experience. For Nishizawa, it’s about granting visitors clarity, whether that means solidifying their choice or looking for something different. Ultimately, the choice to attend a university is more than selecting a place — it’s about finding a community that you want to be a part of and contribute to.
