Top 5 Questions to Ask During a College Visit

With fall break approaching, our college counselors recommend that parents and scholars make good use of the time by scheduling a college visit.  Visits to a prospective college are not just for juniors and seniors.  They can begin as early as freshman year.  It is never too early to start thinking about where you want to visit.  Families should try to fit a college visit into any upcoming trip or vacation.

Consider visiting one large school, one medium-sized school, and one smaller school.  This will help your child know what kind of school size they are drawn to.  Your child may think they want to go to a large school until they witness it in person.  On the flipside, your child may think they prefer the comfort of a smaller school until they are able to experience the culture and climate of a larger school for themselves.  Factors like setting, whether urban, suburban, or rural, will determine whether a school is a good fit and these need to be experience first-hand on a campus.

When planning a college visit, it is recommended to make an appointment with your regional admissions representative (your college counselor can help you identify the right representative) to schedule a campus tour.  You should also ask if it is possible sit in on a class, meet with a professor, or if applicable, meet with a coach.  Make the most of the visit, especially if the school is far away.

College visits can be an overwhelming endeavor for many students and parents. They can be intimidating for some, and many don’t think about what questions they should have asked until after the visit.  Our college counselors have compiled lists of questions to ask an Admissions Representative during a visit to gain a more well-rounded view of the college.  Asking the right questions will add value to the visit.  Here are our top 5:

1. Why do students select this college?
2. What is distinctive about this college?
3. How would you describe the profile of a typical student who attends this college?
4. What is the process used to evaluate a student’s application?
5. What are the graduation requirements? 

Some additional questions you should consider asking are:

• Are there any general education classes that are required for a first-year student?
• Are there opportunities for study abroad or college exchange programs?
• What is the percentage of students who graduate in 4 years?  In 5 years?
• After graduation, what is the career placement rate and/or graduate school acceptance percentage (ask about specific fields or graduate programs important to you)?
• Does the college have a career center?  What resources are available for student and graduates seeking jobs?

During your tour, interact with your guide and be sure to ask about housing, meals, extracurricular activities, and student life.  Above all, ask questions that are most important to you.  There is no such thing as a dumb question or too many questions.  Try to ask the same questions at each school so you can have a fair comparison between schools.

If you have any questions about how to initiate a college visit or what to ask when you are there, spend some time with your college counselor at Great Hearts and they can help you come up with some personalized questions to ask that will match your situation.  Our counselors are here to help you navigate the entire process as you make these difficult and exciting decisions.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.