5 Questions to Ask on a College Visit

As high school seniors graduate this month, juniors (and some younger students) will take to the road this summer to visit prospective colleges. Colleges are certainly not all the same, and like people, they have different personalities. Finding a school that is a good match will help ensure student success. The questions below will help students decipher how schools differ from one another and reveal each school's real personality.

1.  What are the key factors the school focuses on when making acceptance decisions?

Schools differ in terms of what they consider most important when deciding who to offer admission. Some schools focus heavily on test scores, while others are more focused on the academic transcript or the essay. Depending on the major, some schools may require auditions and/or personal interviews. Knowing what matters most to a school will help a student be better prepared and set realistic expectations.

2.  What student and academic support services exist?

It is important that a student knows what sort of an environment will help him or her be successful. Some students will need a school where the staff is more hands-on and there is easy access to professors, advisors, and academic support. Some desire a more independent atmosphere and are confident in their ability to seek out assistance if necessary. Matching the appropriate environment to a student's needs is an important factor when selecting schools.

3.  How does the school award financial aid?

The financial aid package often has a significant impact on the student's ultimate school selection. Students need to be sure that the school is a good fit financially so that he or she doesn't graduate with excessive debt. Try not to focus on the sticker price, and instead focus on the true "net price" - the price after grants and scholarships have been awarded. How does the school make financial aid decisions? Does the school offer both need-based and merit aid? If merit aid is offered, what does the student need to do to ensure the receipt of merit aid for all four years? What is the average student loan debt of graduating seniors? Knowing the answers to these questions will provide insight to the true cost of attending that school.

4.  What is life like on campus?

Academics are certainly important, but students spend a tremendous amount of time outside of class. It's good to know what percentage of students live on campus and whether those students stay on campus or go home on the weekend. What type of on-campus housing exists and are there more options for upper class students? What sorts of clubs and sporting activities exist on campus and do those match up with the student's interests? Also important, how is the food?

5.  Why did you pick this school?

Student tour guides are a great source of information and they can often tell other students what makes that school special or distinctive. Be sure to ask your guide why she selected the school, as well as what other schools she considered. What does the tour guide wish she had known prior to selecting the school? Is there anything she would change about the school? Given that the tour guide has been through the same process recently, ask her if there is any advice she would like to share based on personal experience. Would she select the school again given what she knows today?

Best wishes in the college search process! If it's any comfort, we, the CAFE staff at FAME, are starting to go through the process with our own children! Please contact us if we can be of assistance!