College Visits Part 3: Questions To Ask

This final post gives you an idea for the kinds of questions to ask while on your visit. See which ones make sense for you to ask so you get a good feel for how well the college fits what you are looking for:

1. Pay attention to how students are getting around campus - bikes? Bus?

2. Check out the vibe on campus. Do you see students like you?  Do students look happy and positive or stressed and exhausted? 

3. Here are some ideas for questions to ask during your college visit. Be sure to use your Scavenger Hunt to customize your questions to your personal interests:

1. Student Housing and Dining:

1. Where do freshmen live? Are roommates randomly assigned or you can select your own? 

2. Where do upperclassmen live? What is the housing requirement and how many years are guaranteed on campus?

3. How does the meal plan work? How does the food taste? Are there options for [your dietary restriction]?

2. Academic:

1. How many large lecture courses do students have on average?

2. How easy is it to meet with professors?

3. What does the academic advisory system look like?  Freshman-specific? By college/major? How difficult is it to get an appointment?

4. How challenging is it to sign up for classes as a freshman and ensure you have what you need?

5. When do I have to declare my major? How hard is it to change majors?

6. What are the best places to study?

3. Student Life:

1. What percentage of students are in Greek life? Does Greek life dominate the social scene? When is rush and is there “dirty rush”? How many sororities and fraternities are there and how many do they take in a pledge class?

2. What is there to do off-campus? What do students do in their free time?

3. Do students support athletic teams?  What sports are well attended?

4. What kind of intramural and club athletics are available? What is the time commitment? How difficult is it to make a club team?

5. What clubs and activities are popular? What are you involved in?

6. What kind of students finds their people here? What is the overall vibe of students?

4. Additional academic and student life opportunities:

1. What percentage of students study abroad? What is the most popular time to go? What programs/locations is the college known for?

2. How many students do research as an undergrad? Are freshmen able to participate in research?

3. Are jobs available on campus for work/study or just to have additional income?

4. Are internships available during the school year?

5. What kind of support does the career center provide in finding internships? Jobs after graduation? When should students start to meet with them?

5. Resources and first-year experience:

1. What kind of support do first-years have? Is there an orientation and/or first-year course? 

2. What kind of academic, physical health, and mental health support services are there?

3. What advice do you have to give freshmen? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

6. Application/College Choice:

1. Why did you choose this college? What other colleges did you consider?

2. What is unique about this college’s application process? What advice do you have about applying to this college or college in general?

3. Are interviews mandatory/available?