Insightful Questions To Ask An Admissions Officer

Don’t be shy! This is your chance to get as much information as possible. Many times, you’ll ask the question that others are thinking but may be too shy to ask. Also, admissions people LOVE it when students and families are engaged in their presentations and ask questions. Trust me on this one.

Questions to ask an admissions representative:

1. How easy is it to double major?
2. What percentage of students graduates in 4 years? What percentage of double majors graduates in 4 years?
3. Do students apply to the school, or to a particular major?
4. When do students need to declare a major?
5. Do you require an audition as part of the admissions process if you want to be a theater or music major?
6. Can supporting documents be sent to the admissions office if an applicant wishes to highlight a particular artistic talent such as theater, music, dance or another art form? Are these documents used in the application review?
7. Do all majors have the chance to have internships and are they are common part of the educational experience?
8. Is there support to help students find an internship?
9. When do students typically start using the career center?
10. Can you tell me about the services the career center offers?
11. Do students study abroad? Does your college or university have a study abroad program?
12. Can students study abroad on another school’s program?
13. How easy is it to fit a study abroad program in and still graduate in 4 years?
14. How accessible are professors? What are some examples of professor/student interactions outside of the classroom?
15. How large are the largest classes? How small are the smallest classes? What is the average class size?
16. What are some examples of clubs and activities available to students?
17. Do students attend sporting events, theater events, and social events on campus?
18. Are there academic support services on campus such as tutoring and writing centers?

Keep Track Of Who You Meet

After each information session, get the business card of the person who gave your information session as well as the name and contact information of the admissions representative who will work with your application so that you can be in touch with them.

Also get the name and contact person in the department of your intended major if you know what you

want to study so that you can ask questions during the application process.

Get Information From Current Students

Questions to ask your tour guide or students you meet on college campuses.

1. What are you studying?
2. Can you tell me some ways that your professors have made the classroom experience exciting? Examples include guest lecturers, field trips, hands-on learning.
3. Have you had an internship? Do you plan on having one or more? Are they easy to get?
4. Do you interact with your professors?
5. What is the social life like on campus?
6. What do students usually do on weekends?
7. How would you describe the student body?
8. What are the Residence Halls like?
9. Can students live on campus for 4 years? Can they live off campus?
10. Can students have cars on campus?
11. How is the food?
12. Why did you choose this school?
13. Are you happy here?

You may find that you like to ask just one or two of these questions at each school or you may want to ask all of them. It’s up to you.

Finally, after you visit each school, take 2 minutes to write down three things you liked and three things you didn’t like (or liked less) about each school. Also, make a note of one or two buildings that really stood out on each campus and why. For example, St. Lawrence University has a really cool, brightly colored library with tiny cubicles and bean bags that the students can use to study. I still remember this from my tour 25 years ago! If you mark down a distinguishing characteristic for each school it will help you remember the schools better.

I hope your college visits go well. Keep in mind that this is your journey. Enjoy it and learn from it!

If you’re doing college tours with your child, check out Making The Most Of Your College Visit for more advice.

by Anna Seltz, the owner of Higher Ed U, College Admissions Consulting located in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. Prior to opening her own consulting business, Anna spent 13 years working in Admissions for American University in Washington, DC and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. She can be reached at Annaseltz71@gmail.com. Check out Higher Ed U’s facebook page too.

Originally published at www.road2college.com on April 9, 2014.