The college application season is full of excitement, frustration, and, most of all, anticipation. Your prospective college is your gateway to the future and these next four years are crucial to your growth and development. So, you want to ensure your future alma mater will set you up for success.
Campus visits can be an excellent way to see a school, experience campus life, and observe student life firsthand. And while taking in the sights and sounds can be illuminating, knowing great questions to ask on a college visit can ensure you enroll in the school that best fits you. These questions will help you assess whether the campus culture, academics, and resources align with your goals and values. Whether you’re speaking with admissions staff, professors, or current students, having a list of thoughtful questions to ask on a college visit can give you deeper insight into what life at the school is really like, helping you make a more informed decision when the time comes.
How to Choose Which Colleges to Visit
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that you will get the chance to visit every single college that interests you. Focus on visiting the handful of colleges that best fit your criteria. At HelloCollege, we recommend looking at colleges that fit our S.A.F.E. model. That is, colleges that meet a student’s needs in the following areas:
- Social
- Academic
- Financial
- Employment
Planning a College Visit
Every college has an admissions office. To schedule an official visit, you can reach them by phone, email, or through the college website.
Some college visits only last a few hours, while others are an overnight experience, where prospective students get two full days on campus. Overnight visits allow prospective students to schedule extra experiences, including:
- Meeting with a professor in your desired major.
- Meeting with an admissions officer personally.
- Meeting with financial aid officers.
- Having a meal in the dining hall.
- Attending a class or lecture.
- Attending a sporting or club event.
- Sleeping in a dorm room.
If you want to learn more about making the most of your college visits, check out our blog post, The Ultimate Guide to Your College Campus Visit.
Great Questions to Ask on a College Visit
If you want to know what it’s like to study, work, and live at a particular college, getting to know its community members is your first step to unlocking the mysteries of the college experience.
To get the most out of your visit, we recommend preparing a list of well-rounded and insightful questions to ask the tour guide, admissions counselor, professors, and current students. Below you’ll find some examples of great questions to ask on a college visit.
Academic Questions to Ask on a College Visit
Here’s a question for you: What are you passionate about?
Before applying to colleges, you should have some idea about what you want to study while at school. Maybe you’ve been longing to apply to the prestigious Ross Business School your entire high school career…or maybe you want to sample a few different courses before selecting your major. Let your interests guide your questions!
If you’re still determining your future major, some great academic questions to ask on a college visit are:
- What are the most popular majors?
- What opportunities are there for study abroad and exchange programs?
- How many classes do students take each semester?
- Do students typically double major?
- How easy is it to change majors?
If you already know your intended major, here are some great specific academic questions to ask:
- What career paths do alums typically take after graduation?
- How big is a typical class?
- Are most classes lecture-based or discussion-based?
- Are there opportunities for undergraduate research?
- What are the core academic requirements and how long does it take to fulfill them?
If possible, try to meet with a current student in your intended major, as they’ll be able to answer your questions better than anyone else. You can ask them:
- Why did you decide to study your major?
- How did you know this school was the right one for you?
- Do you find the courses challenging?
- Are you able to register for all the courses you want to take, or are you often waitlisted?
While learning about the school and its students, you may learn more about yourself!
Campus Life Questions to Ask on a College Visit
A college campus is more than just classrooms. Almost every school, no matter the size, will have dormitories, cafeterias, and spaces for students to lounge and study as they recharge after a long day of classes.
While your academic classes are important, enjoying your life outside the classroom is essential to your health and well-being. Here’s another question to ask yourself: Who are you? While college is a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, if you know that you feel shy in large groups, you may want to enroll in a smaller college. On the other hand, if you live for the momentum of Football Fridays and Spirit Week, a larger university with a robust athletics culture is the place for you!
Here are some question to figure help out campus dynamics:
- What do students do when they aren’t in class?
- Are sports a big part of campus life?
- Where do students like to hang out?
- Do students stay mostly on campus, or do they explore the nearby city/town?
- Is the campus walkable? Do students typically have cars? Is public transportation available/accessible?
- What are some of the most popular clubs on campus?
- What kinds of facilities are available to students?
- Does this school have fraternities or sororities?
If you’re talking to a current student, don’t be afraid to ask them what they like to do for fun! Getting to know current students is the best way to learn about student life. Making friends will be a huge part of your college experience, so it’s okay to ask questions about the student body, like:
- Is the campus diverse?
- Are there many international students?
- Do most students live on campus or off?
While you might be a great fit for a school academically, the answer to these questions may make you rethink your decision!
Financial Aid Questions to Ask on a College Visit
In a perfect world, the only barrier between you and your dream school would be a letter of acceptance. Unfortunately, it can be a little more complicated. Asking questions about financial aid and scholarships on your college visit is a great way to find clarity early so that when you do get that long-awaited acceptance letter, you’ll feel confident footing the bill that comes along with it.
Before your college visit, reach out to the school’s financial aid office for the best answers to your questions as they have the most expertise. Some questions to ask include:
- What is the yearly cost of attendance (including books, tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans)?
- Does your ability to pay the full cost of attendance have any impact on the college’s decision to admit you?
- What percent of freshmen receive aid?
- Will outside scholarships affect the amount of aid the school will offer you?
- Is AP, dual-enrollment, or other college credit accepted that will enable students to graduate early and reduce their course and/or debt load?
A student tour guide may not have answers to your specific financial questions, but some questions you can ask students are:
- Are there a lot of options for meal plans?
- Are there many opportunities for on-campus jobs?
- What scholarships are available for students?
- Do students typically work a summer job?
These questions can give you insight into how students afford their education.
Internship and Career Questions to Ask on a College Visit
College can be a life-changing experience that will determine your future, so you should keep this in mind when choosing the perfect college. Some great career questions to ask are:
- Is there a career center on campus?
- Are there plenty of internships available? How can students find out about them?
- What opportunities are available to build leadership skills?
- Will there be opportunities to serve the local community?
- Are there many job fairs on campus?
While a college’s alumni shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, an extensive alumni network can become extremely valuable upon graduation. Some great questions to ask are:
- Who are some notable alumni?
- How involved is this school’s alumni association?
- Is the alumni network very supportive of recent graduates?
When you graduate from college, your college shouldn’t forget about you: Its commitment to your future success extends far beyond graduation!
Tough Questions to Ask on a College Visit
One last question to ask yourself: What is it that I need?
College can mark a fun, exciting period in your life, but it’s important to know your needs and not lose sight of them in the application process. Sometimes, this means asking tough questions and expecting thoughtful answers.
Every student deserves to feel safe on campus. Some great questions to ask include:
- What is the most serious crime that has occurred on campus?
- What steps does this school take to ensure student safety?
- Has the school taken steps to combat campus assaults?
- How is safety enforced in the dormitories?
- What services are available for survivors of assault?
Beyond physical safety, mental health and well-being are important for every student. Consider questions like:
- How does this school address mental health on campus?
- How many counselors are on campus?
- Are the counselors trained to handle a diverse array of students?
- What is the culture around accessing mental health support?
- Where can I go to receive accommodation?
Not every college can meet the needs of a student’s cultural background. As such, it’s important to ask questions like:
- Does this school offer a variety of cultural awareness programs?
- Are there salons on campus/nearby that know how to cut my hair?
- Does the cafeteria offer a variety of cuisines?
Finally, college campuses do not exist in a vacuum. On your college visit, it may be pertinent to ask:
- Do students typically express their politics or beliefs on campus?
- How active are the school’s political clubs?
- Have there been a lot of protests on campus?
- How does this school handle conflict?
Everyone has different needs. If you foresee yourself needing accommodations or special services, it’s important to inquire if the school can adequately support you during the next four years. Advocate for yourself!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the difference between a successful college visit and an average college visit depends on the questions you ask. When visiting, it’s important to be curious and honest about your needs as a student. By asking the right questions to ask on a college visit, you can gain valuable insights into the academic environment, student life, and campus culture, helping you determine if the school is the right fit for your future.
At HelloCollege, we’re passionate about helping students and their families through the college admissions process. We believe the best way to prepare for successful student life is to ensure students land in the college that’s perfect for them. To learn more about how we can help you with your college journey, schedule a free consultation today.
