Get the Whole Picture: Questions to Ask on
College Visits

Sure, a picture may be worth a thousand words. But when it comes to choosing your school, a visit to campus is worth a gazillion college brochures! Nothing's better than walking around the college grounds to get an initial feel for what the school is like. However, you need to look far beyond the green grass of the quad and amazing architecture of that newly-erected science building to know if this is the right place for you.

To make the most of your college visit, do more than find your way to the admissions office in time for the next campus tour. By all means, go ahead and take the tour! After all, it's a great way to get an overview of the college, academics, the student body, and campus life. You will quickly realize that the tour presents only a broad-brush portrait of the school. On top of that, your tour guide is likely a student who is really pleased with her college choice. (If she weren't happy at the school, she probably wouldn't have been selected by the college admissions office to lead tours in the first place, right?). Bottom line - what you see on the tour isn't always a clear picture of the college.

So, your college visit must be focused. Your primary goal is to get all the information needed to make an informed decision about whether this is a good academic setting for you. That means you've got to do some homework before you hit campus. First, learn all you can about the college through the many resources that are readily available without visiting. Look at the school's website, view books, and brochures, and talk to your school counselor. Does the school offer the major(s) you are considering? Next, write a list of the questions you still need answered…the things you want to know that you didn't uncover through research. Use the questions below as guidelines, adapting them to your needs.

Admissions
- What academic factors are considered in the admissions process? How are they weighted?

- What is the average class size (freshman/sophomore/general education classes; department/major/upper-level classes)? This information gives you a much clearer image of the classroom experience than does student-to-faculty ratio.

- Overall, what percentages of classes are taught by full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and/or graduate/teaching assistants? What is the breakdown specifically for freshman courses?

- How are classes selected? How often are students wait-listed for or unable to get into classes they must take?

- How is my academic advisor assigned to me? What is his/her role?

- Is there a study abroad program? Do all credits transfer? What is the cost?

- Are there shuttle services on campus/into town? How early/late to they run?

Financial Aid
- What is the total cost of attendance? (Tuition, room, board, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses)

- When was tuition last increased? By what percent? Outlook over the next five years?

- What percentage of students receive financial assistance?

- How many work-study jobs are available on campus? How and when are they filled? Average pay?

- What academic scholarships are available? Athletic scholarships? How are they awarded?

Housing/Meals
- How are rooms and roommates assigned?

- What are the rules for students living in the residence halls?

- Do any residence halls have floors for students studying a particular major? Quiet floors? Living-learning options? Special interest housing or thematic communities?

- Are incoming freshmen guaranteed housing? For all four years?

- What is the policy on moving off campus? Having a car on campus?

- Do all residence halls have laundry facilities? Internet access? Computer labs?

- What meal plans are available? Do all residence halls have food services? Hours of operation?

Academic Department(s)/Professors
- Tell me about the program/major. What makes this program unique?

- Is an internship required for the program?

- What resources are available (such as labs or research opportunities)?

- May I sit in on a class?

Career Services
- How many non-work-study jobs are available on campus? How and when are they filled? Average pay?

- What assistance is available to help me find part-time, internship, and/or cooperative opportunities while I'm in school?

- Which employers actively recruit here? For what majors/career fields?

- What assistance is available to help me with job search as I prepare to graduate?

- What percentage of students get jobs in their field of study within six months of graduating?

- What tutoring services are offered on campus? How do I get assistance if needed? Any fees?

- Is there a writing center on campus? What services are offered?

- What support services are available for students with learning disabilities?

- How diverse is the student population?

Student Life/Activities
- What are the most popular extracurricular activities? The most unique?

- How many students participate in Greek Life? Which fraternities/sororities are represented on campus?

- Do most students stay on campus or go home on weekends?

Health/Welfare
- What services are offered by the student health center?

- What happens if I need to be hospitalized? How far is the hospital?

- Is there a fitness center on campus? Any fees?

Safety
- How large is the campus security police force? How often is campus patrolled?

- How many emergency phones are on campus?

- Do residence halls/academic buildings have security systems barring outsiders from entering?

- Is there a pick-up service for students walking at night? Hours of operation?

- What procedures and technology are in place to notify students and parents of a campus emergency?

So you've got your list of questions ready? Great! Just a few more things to do: pick a date for
your college visit; register with admissions and reserve a spot on the campus tour; and
schedule meetings with targeted department(s)/professors for the major(s) you are considering. Finally, load up your backpack with your carefully-crafted list of questions and a journal for
note-taking. Oh, yeah, throw in a camera, too. A few snapshots may prove useful as you recall
your impressions from each college visit. But remember, those pictures simply can't capture everything you need to know in order to make an informed college choice.

Related articles:

7 Ways to Make College Visits More Cost-Effective

© Copyright 2010, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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