The Top 60+ Questions To Ask On A College Visit

The Top 60+ Questions To Ask On A College Visit!

The campus visit is a key part of the admission process, but it can be a total waste if you don't know what questions to ask. The key is to avoid questions that can easily be answered by a brochure on the college’s website. Instead ask the nitty gritty questions that will help you get a feel for the atmosphere, the students, and life on campus.

What To Consider...Before You Visit A College:

It may be tempting to just yell "roadtrip!" and head out to a college campus, but you'll get more out of your visits if you plan ahead. Here are at least 6 things you'll want to do before you make that roadtrip!

1) Consider what college is right for you!  
Do an inventory of what kind of college you're interested in! Are you interested in a small college, medium college, or large university? Do you want to be in-state or out-of-state? Do you want your college to be private or public, rural or city, north, south, east or west? Do you want to attend a college that has a football team or where you can participate in some form of extracurricular sports activities? Have you considered a technical school?

Make a list of what college characteristics are most important to you, so you know what to evaluate. Do you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall? Check out the class size. Do you have your heart set on joining a sorority or fraternity? See what the Greek system is like on campus. Is there a particular major that you want to pursue? Talk to current students or professors in that department. Develop a list of your preferences. Take a list to the schools that you plan to visit, and compare them when you get back home.

2) Research the college! 
It's important to know something about the college before you arrive on its campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled.

- Review their website, course catalogs, and any other materials the college sends to prospective students.
- Talk to currently enrolled students or alumni about their college. Some college websites let you contact them online, or you can get their contact information from the admissions office.

3) Consider attending when the classes are in session! 
That way, you can sit in on a lecture, stay in the dorm overnight, and get a true feel for the campus. Schedule your time on campus, too, to make sure you'll have time for everything you want to do:

- Find out how often college tours run, and if you have to sign up in advance.
- Be sure to get a map of the school. You don't want to spend half your day trying to park or find the admissions office.
- If an interview is suggested, make an appointment. Also, consider meeting with the financial aid officer.
- If you're curious about a club, program, or a sport, arrange to attend a practice, rehearsal, or meeting.

4) Plan to take pictures and personal notes while you're there!  
Was it X College or Y University that had that excellent exercise equipment in the gym? Where did I talk to that cool psychology professor? You think you'll remember everything, but you'll be surprised how colleges start to merge after you've seen a few.

Here's a few more questions you'll want to consider:

Questions for the admission office:

1. What services are offered by the campus health center?
2. Does the student health center refer students to the local hospital? Is it nearby? How large is it?
3. How safe is the campus?
4. Is there any kind of shuttle service between classroom areas, the library, the student union, and the dorms? How late does it run?
5. How large is the campus security police force? Does it patrol the campus regularly?
6. Are the dorms spread through the campus or clustered in one area?
7. Is there any security system to bar outsiders from entering dorms?
8. Which dorm is the most requested?  Which dorm is the most convenient?
9. What are the deadlines for getting into the dorm you want?
10. What kind of work-study programs are available on campus?  How do I get one?  What does it pay?

Questions for students:

1. How many of your courses are taught by the real professor and how many by a teaching assistant?
2. Is the teaching innovative, discussion- and project-oriented, or is it mostly lecture-oriented?
3. How many students are in freshman classes? 
4. What's the drop-out rate for freshmans?  Why?
5. What are the strong majors and what are the weak majors?
6. How hard do you have to work to get good grades?
7. What reputation does the department of ___________ have?
8. How adequate is the campus computer network?
9. Do fraternities and sororities dominate the social life?
10. What do students do on weekends? Do they all go home or hang around on campus?
11. How much help outside of the classroom do you get from profs?
12. Do people participate in the activities, groups, and clubs on campus? Or are they dominated by a few groups?
13. How many dorm choices are there?
14. Are the dorms single-sex or co-ed? How do you feel about that?
15. Are the dorms too quiet? Too noisy? Too crowded? Not enough action?
16. How large are the rooms? Is there space to study? Have time to yourself?
17. If you move out of a dorm after freshman year, what are the options in apartment complexes or buildings?
18. How do you "guarantee" the dorm you want?
19. Do the rooms have access to internet?
20. What kind of dorm choices are there?
21. What kind of sports equipment does the campus have? Is it well-kept?
22. How is the quality of food in the cafeteria or dining hall? How are the sizes of the portions? Is it healthy or fast food? Are there meal plans?
23. How did the staff members interact with students? Were they friendly or authoritarian?
24. Do most of the students seem like you, or are they completely different?
25. How would you feel about being in a classroom with these students? Sharing a dorm with them?
26. Do the students try to make you feel at home? Were they helpful in answering your questions? How did they interact with one another?
27. Does the campus seem like a good size for you?
28. Does it look like there is much to do outside of campus?
29. How easy is to get to places off campus? Are there places within walking distance?
30. Do you feel comfortable and safe?  Are there places to get extra furniture, like bookcases, for your dorm room?
31. Is there a supermarket or convenience stores nearby to stock up on snacks and soda?

Questions for the Financial Aid Office:

    32. What kinds of financial aid do you offer?    What is your average financial aid package?
    33. What is the typical breakdown of loans versus grants?
    34. What percentage of financial need does the school typically meet?
    35. What is the average merit award?
    36. What percentage of students receive college grants?
    37. What is the average college debt that students leave with?
    38. What work-study opportunities are there?

Questions For The Academic Dean Or Professor:

    39. How much time do students typically spend on homework?
    40. How much writing and reading are expected?  Any tutoring programs available?
    41. What is the average class size of introductory classes?
    42. How widely used are teaching assistants on your campus?
    43. What is the average class size of upper-division courses?
    44. What opportunities are there for undergraduate research?
    45. How many students participate in undergraduate research?
    46. Is there a culminating senior year experience?
    47. Do you have an honors college?
    48. Do you have a learning community or other freshman experience?
    49. How many students at the college get internships?
    50. What percentage of students study abroad?
    51. What type of career services do you have?


 This is NOT a comprehensive list, but an EXCELLENT way to get started.  In fact, it may be ALL that you need to answer your questions!