Eastern Connecticut State University featured on Amazon Prime Video show

NextGrad & The College Tour partner to bring students exclusive college insights on high school screens, helping them explore campuses & make informed decisions

student-college-alex boylan-amazing race

The Season 2 winner of CBS’s hit show “The Amazing Race,” Alex Boylan, knows a thing or two about adventure, especially when it comes to one of life’s most pivotal and transformative journeys: college. In recent years, Alex has played co-creator and host of the award-winning Amazon Prime Video streaming series “The College Tour,” a revolutionary series that brings colleges directly to the viewers, saving them both time and money.

Now in its 11th season, what started as a way to bring equity to college readiness has become a lifeline for students, parents, teachers, and counselors all around the world who rely on the show to help them make informed decisions about higher education, thanks to the show’s intimate format that brings to life real students’ stories from each campus.

After showcasing 170 colleges and counting, Boylan shares with us his inspiration for starting the show, what he’s learned from being on campuses, and how aspiring students should best prepare for their college journeys.

Why do you think it’s so important to showcase students from so many schools, and so many students from different groups within each school?

No two students are alike, and no two pathways to success are alike, and it’s important for us to let students know they have options. College isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario, and our job is to show you all your options.

We have filmed at large state schools, small private schools, community colleges, HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and everything in between. By having a diverse group of students from each school, we allow more viewers to visualize what life can be like at that school.

What has been the most rewarding part of doing the show for you?

By far, it’s been seeing how much it’s helped high school students find the right school, and most of the time the students tell us that their choice school wouldn’t have even been on their radar if it wasn’t for “The College Tour.”

The show takes away all financial and time constraints. You can be a high school junior in Florida but be able to “travel” via the show to schools in Alaska, Colorado, New York, etc.

Students’ eyes light up when they watch episodes like the one featuring Semester at Sea. We truly open their world, and it’s such a rewarding thing to do!

As a reality TV veteran, what made you want to bring colleges to the screen?

It really all started when my niece from Wisconsin came to visit me in Los Angeles to check out schools. We spent several days doing regular tours, pretty much only seeing the outside of buildings. Nothing really sparked her interest and she wanted to visit schools in Texas. The only problem was that it was out of the budget.

I saw how disappointed she was and realized there must be millions of teens who were equally frustrated, and that’s when I knew we had to do this show. We needed to help students not just live out their dreams but find them first.

You have met with thousands of students from all walks of life. What is the greatest college-related lesson you have learned from them?

Getting to know these students has been incredible. The one thing I would say is a common takeaway no matter where I am, is that it’s important to find a school not solely based on academics. You need to factor in your lifestyle, your interests, your hobbies.

There are enough schools out there that you don’t have to go somewhere that doesn’t offer what it is that you are looking for. You can curate the experience you want.

What are the most important factors a student should consider when choosing a school?

The four main factors to consider when starting the college search should definitely be location, campus culture, majors, and type of school. If you can answer those questions you are off to a fantastic start.

What do you think is the biggest hurdle students face when it comes to the college admissions process?

I would say the biggest thing is trying to figure all of this out yourself because really … there is just so much information. The best piece of advice I can give you is this: when you’re interested in a school, reach out and make contact with someone in the admissions department, because there’s going to be someone who’s put onto your case and can start answering your specific questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

EMERSYN KEEFER Clinton Community College student

Clinton Community College and the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges have helped me in so many different ways, from the amazing, supportive staff and faculty to the hands-on learning experiences.

I became an EICC student at the Clinton campus in 2021 when I was placed in the symphonic band at Clinton High School. Later that year, I was placed in a college-level baking class with my now instructor Chef Lisa. From there on I knew I had found my new passion.

I continued with EICC’s culinary classes when the new Clinton Career Advancement Center opened. The programs are for students in high school to get a head start on college classes while still attending high school. Bonus factor, your high school pays for it!After all of my hard work, I graduated with a culinary certificate from EICC before I even graduated high school.

I applied for a lot of scholarships before continuing my college education, because I didn’t earn money from financial aid. And this just goes to show that you just have to apply. I got my full tuition paid for by scholarships! I am now a full-time student through EICC’s culinary department.

I was also cast in the TV show “The College Tour.” This was an amazing experience where I got to showcase my skills of being a culinary student in front of a screen and also to the whole world now. It was a two-day workshop, I got to write my own script and everything. I talked about how great of an advantage the academy classes are for the schools surrounding EICC.

I am so beyond grateful to have this be my college experience. My story and so many others are why EICC is the communities college!

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ABOUT ‘THE COLLEGE TOUR’

“The College Tour” is available to view at https://eicc.edu/college-tour/. Emersyn Keefer along with other EICC students are featured in the show. The series delves into the heart of colleges and universities worldwide, offering an authentic portrayal of campus life, academics, housing, sports and activities.

EICC, along with 18 other U.S. colleges, takes center stage in the show’s 11th season which will start streaming on Amazon Prime in May. Last summer, “The College Tour” sought out community colleges in Iowa, and EICC emerged as a natural choice.

EICC students stepped into the spotlight, auditioning through video submissions that revealed their unique narratives. The filming process was meticulous, with students collaborating on scripts and helping scout locations. The result is an inspiring 30 minute episode that captures the essence of EICC’s mission to change lives and build communities.

By Melissa Thrasher

“Lights, camera, action” takes on new meaning as Eastern Michigan University (EMU) welcomes Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour” on campus. Set against the backdrop of EMU’s vibrant campus, this exclusive episode offers viewers a firsthand glimpse into the dynamic experiences of 10 EMU students as they share their journeys. The episode is slated to air in the fall of 2024.

Hosted by Alex Boylan, contestant and winner of CBS’s Amazing Race, each episode of “The College Tour” tells the story of life on college campuses nationwide. In a creative and informative fashion, each student showcases college life, including academics, sports, career preparation, and more.

Katie Condon-Martin, vice president of enrollment management at EMU, said our participation in “The College Tour” allows the University to showcase students’ achievements and enhancements to the campus infrastructure.

“We want viewers to see the impact of the investments in providing students with the tools and spaces needed to pursue their passions and find a fulfilling career,” said Condon-Martin. Additionally, the students selected for EMU’s episode exemplify the strong connections forged with faculty and staff, demonstrating the supportive environment that defines the EMU experience.”

Aniseh Jaber, a freshman majoring in exercise science, prosthetics, and orthotics, is excited to share her career journey with the program because of her relationships with professors and the resources introduced that will get her closer to her dream.

“I came to EMU because I have always had a passion for the medical field and for building a pathway for people to access health care,” said Jaber. “I want to create a business that gives these (prosthetic) devices to people who need them for free.”

Among the students selected include:

“We hope that viewers walk away from this episode with an appreciation for the opportunities available at EMU and a sense of excitement about the vibrant community and academic excellence that defines EMU,” said Condon-Martin.

Eastern is the first public college in Michigan to participate in the show, which is designed for prospective students. The show inspires them to envision themselves as future Eagles and encourages them to visit campus firsthand. Earlier in the semester, a casting call was made for Eastern students interested in being featured on the program; 10 were chosen out of 80 applicants. Each student leads a segment of the episode that showcases an aspect of Eastern.