Questions to Ask a College

Admissions

• What are your admission standards/requirements/deadlines? What is required in your application process?

• What impresses you the most in a student's application?

• What are you looking for when you read students' essays?

• What are some of the things you hate to see in an application?

Academics

• What kind of student does well here? What kind of student doesn't do well here?

• How easy or hard it is to change your major? At what point do I need to declare a major?

• What do you consider to be the top academic programs at your college?

• How does advising work?

• How accessible and supportive are the faculty? What percent of classes are taught by professors?

• What type of academic assistance do you offer for students?

General

• What do you think your school is best known for?

• What changes do you see taking place on campus in the next five years?

• What makes your school different from other colleges that are similar in size and reputation?

• What is the four-year graduation rate at your school? Five year? What is the retention rate of first year students?

• What is the job-attainment rate of graduates within six months of graduation?

• What do students like most about your school? Least?

• How would you describe the typical student here?

Financial Aid

• What percent of students receive financial aid? What is the average financial aid package?

• What is the average debt upon graduation?

• Do you offer merit aid and how are students considered?

Campus Life

• What is a typical freshman academic schedule? How does the school help freshmen adjust to college?

• Are first-year students required to live in the residence halls? Do most upper class students live on or off campus?  What are the different housing options?

• What role does technology play in the curriculum?

• What athletic opportunities does your campus offer?

Specific Questions To Ask a Student/Tour Guide

• Why did you decide to go here?

• What was your biggest surprise about the school?

• What would you change about the school?

• What student groups are the most active?

• How is the food?

• What is the social life like on your campus? How often do students typically go home? What activities are available on the weekends?

• How do students get around campus?

• Is the campus considered safe at night?