College visits can help inform your school list. Often during your visits, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to admissions representatives via information sessions. You might also encounter admissions representatives at college fairs.
Go prepared with a pen, notebook, and a positive attitude, and get ready to introduce yourself and talk to admissions officers. Demonstrate your interest by inquiring about different aspects of the college. We’ve provided you with a list of questions to ask admissions representatives so that you can get the most out of your conversations with them.
General Admissions Questions
- Is there something in particular that admissions readers look for when evaluating applications at your school?
- What kind of student would not be a good fit for your school?
- Do you recommend applying Early Decision/Early Action over Regular Decision?
- What are some of the best ways to engage with the admissions office as a prospective student (visit/information session/social media, etc)?
Academics
- What is unique about your school’s (your major) department?
- Can you tell me about this particular major?
- What is the most common major at the school?
- Do you admit students based on which major they have chosen? Are there certain concentrations that are more competitive than others for admission?
- How is this particular major different at your college than at others?
- What are some advantages and disadvantages to the average class size at your school?
- How many students are in the typical freshman classes? What about upper-level classes?
- How does the college help students access professors outside of class?
- How many students engage in research or other kinds of projects?
- What student-faculty research opportunities exist for undergraduates?
- What kinds of mentoring and advising relationships do students and faculty have?
Extracurriculars and Student Organizations
- What extracurricular options exist for students interested in XYZ?
- How easy is it for students to start their own club at this college?
- What are the options available for intramural and club sports?
- How involved are students in the local community?
- Is this particular club competitive to get into?
Campus and Social Life
- Does the school have a big athletic culture? What is a typical game day like?
- How does the presence or absence of Greek life affect the campus community?
- What do students typically do on weekends?
- Can you tell me what you enjoy most about the city/town/area where the school is located?
- What are the dorms like? Are there other housing options?
- How are residence halls secured?
- Do most students eat in dining halls? How are the dining services?
- What does the college do to ensure campus safety in general? What about in the event of an emergency?
- What are some popular restaurants and shops near campus?
Career Services
- Where have students from your school interned? Are there any formal internship arrangements with companies?
- How long does it typically take recent grads to find a full-time job in their career field?
- What career advising services are offered, and how long are they available?
- What networking or career fairs are held each year?
- How accessible and involved are alumni?
- What kinds of on-campus or local part-time jobs are available?
Available Resources
- What kind of support services are available to students?
- How common is it for students to receive financial aid or scholarships?
- Are there any major-specific financial aid or scholarship programs?
- Is it easy for students to find jobs on campus?
- What are the on-campus libraries like?
- Does the school have access to any additional library collections (local or other school libraries)?
- How would you describe the college gym/fitness center?
- In what ways does the university support students with technology needs (tech support, access, discounted or free software, etc)?
- In what ways does the university support students in need of educational support (disability services, writing centers, study groups, freshman interest groups/first-year support, etc)?
- What kinds of counseling and/or mental health services are available?
- How does the university foster/encourage multicultural identity in daily life?
- What quiet spaces are available for studying?
These are just a few examples of questions you can ask admissions representatives.There might be other topics that you want to learn about further. However, try to avoid yes/no questions and answers that you can easily find with a quick Google search. Show the school that you’re actually interested in acquiring information about their offerings and tailor questions to what you’re genuinely most curious about.
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