What to Ask During a College Visit

A visit to a college campus is a great way to familiarize yourself with the overall atmosphere on campus and see what daily life there may be like. It's important to find the right fit financially and personally so that you save time and money in attaining your degree. Choose from among the questions below to ask on your next college visit.

What to Ask an Admissions Representative

• Is admission need-blind (meaning financial background does not impact admission) or need-aware (meaning that full-pay students are more likely to be admitted or that there's a limited number of scholarships for financially needy students)?
• Is there an introductory freshman year experience, such as a service or camp opportunity?
• Is there a culminating senior year experience?
• What is the average class size for introductory or general education classes?
• Are students required to live on campus? Every year?
• Are dorms available or guaranteed for upperclassmen?
• What are the food plan requirements when living on campus? How does the food service accommodate food allergies/sensitivities?
• How do AP, IB and dual enrollment classes, SAT subject test scores and CLEP test scores count for credit?
• How does class scheduling/academic advising work? How and when do freshmen sign up for classes?
• How does the school help students take the right classes at the right time to graduate in four years?

What to Ask a Financial Aid Representative

• How do outside scholarships affect financial aid? Will they replace other awarded aid or be stacked on top of it?
• What are the work-study opportunities on campus?
• What campus employment is available for students not awarded work-study?
• Is alternative financial aid, such as service-based scholarships, available?
• Do financial aid packages change after freshman year?
• How many campus and departmental scholarships are available after freshman year?

What to Ask a Representative of Your Major

• What is the student-faculty ratio in my major?
• What is the average class size for upper division classes in my major?
• What opportunities for undergrad research would be available to me?
• How many undergraduate students conduct research?
• Is there a separate admission process for my major, and what does that entail?
• What is the admission rate for students of my declared major?
• Is my major impacted or highly selective? Or, is there a chance my major will be eliminated before I graduate?
• How many students get internships? What is the process for finding internships?
• Do companies come to campus to recruit? Is there an annual career fair for students in my major?
• What is the role of teaching assistants for my major?
• What does it take to graduate in four years?

What to Ask Your Tour Guide

• How many students live on campus versus off-campus? How many commute?
• Are art or music spaces available to non-majors?
• What IT services are available, and how much do they cost students?
• What is the campus sports atmosphere?
• What do students on campus think of my intended major? Does it have a reputation?
• What happens when there is an emergency, such as severe weather or an active shooter?

What to Ask Students on Campus

• How crowded are dorms?
• What happens on weekends and breaks? Do many students leave campus?
• What other schools did you look at and why did you decide on this one?
• What is the social life like?
• How do you get around campus or to shopping, the airport or the entertainment district?
• Do most students have bikes or cars?
• How much does it cost to live off-campus and what are the options?
• How hard is it to get into required classes?
• Are you able to meet with your professors when you want to?
• What are your favorite and least favorite things about this college?
• Where do students get food other than the dining centers?
• How do students view fraternities and sororities?
• What are the most popular activities on campus?

What to Ask Yourself

• Does the student body seem friendly and welcoming?
• Are the library and other student academic centers up to date and are students using these resources?
• What is available to eat in the dining center and how many options are there on a daily basis?
• Where do students gather and how do they interact with each other?
• Does the bus system run on time and go where needed? Does it seem overcrowded or underused?
• What do I think of the main buildings, labs and facilities for my major and other main interests?
• What does the student newspaper, posted fliers and notices tell me about the campus?

If you are still researching colleges, here's a list of things you can easily find online before deciding to visit.