When you visit a prospective college, it isn't just to see if you like the cafeteria food or if the dorm rooms are habitable- although those are good things to determine! Visiting a college campus is a big step and you should do a little research and prepare to ask some hard questions. The college has to be a good fit for you as well as you fitting within their structure. Don't be afraid to find out the answers to any and all questions you may have. Ask not only the admissions staff but also interview a few students that you see on campus.
Keep a record how you felt at the end of each visit. Make a note of how the faculty and staff interacted with you and what you really liked and disliked about each campus. Keeping a few notes will help jog your memory when it comes time to make a decision. You will probably forget the details a few months from your visit.
For Tour Guides & Recruiters
How much time does the typical student spend studying each week?
Is the college diverse? Do classroom discussions include diverse cultures, people groups, and perspectives?
Does the coursework include those perspectives?
Are the courses challenging?
How many hours do students typically read per week?
What is the average class size for freshman level courses?
What is the average class size for upper level courses?
Are senior projects required?
How well does the school help with financial aid? What forms of financial aid are available? What's the average award amount?
Does the award change from year to year?
What percentage of students receive aid?
What is the average debt that students graduate with?
What is the graduation rate? What is the average timeframe for a student to reach graduation?
What percentage of students return after freshman year?
Does the environment lean towards collaboration or competition? What's the academic environment like?
Does the environment encourage and facilitate learning from our differences and growing?
Do students typically form study groups to prepare for tests?
What are midterms and finals like?
Are faculty members accessible? Do students get to regularly talk to professors outside of lecture?
Are courses taught by professors or teaching assistants?
Do students feel supported and coached by their professors?
Do professors or other members of the faculty mentor students and guide them in career plans?
What types of outside learning opportunities are available? Community-based, service based, honors, learning groups, think tanks, private tutoring, writing centers, etc.
How does the college help students find internships or work-study?
How many students get internships each year?
What type of study abroad programs are there? How many students study abroad? Is this included in tuition?
Ask about any and all extra curriculars that interest you (Greek, religious, academic, theatre, athletic, interest groups, etc).
How many students participate in these groups?
Is campus life active?
Are most students on campus or commuters?
What do most students do for housing? What options are available? How many live on campus? How many live off campus?
What is the college's procedures for living off campus?
What is the procedure for picking a roommate?
Are most students traditional (meaning they are of typical college age and not return to school types)?
Are student services helpful (advising, career planning, housing, student activities)?
What do students do for healthcare, counseling, working out, etc?
What does the college do to facilitate a safe campus?
Are there quiet spaces for studying?
For students you meet
What do you like about this school? What do you not like?
Are other students welcoming?
Why did you pick this school?
Are the professors good teachers?
Do you find that academic advising is helpful?
Is the campus easy to navigate? Do you walk or drive?
Is the cafeteria food good?
Do students stay on campus for the weekends or go home?
What do students do on the weekends?
Is it hard to find a place to study?
What is the reputation of my major on campus?
How popular are the school sports?
Do you like the student work out facility?
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