College Information
Questions You Might Want to Ask a College
Admissions
How long does the admissions process take once the application is submitted?
Are these scores more important than high school transcript?
Are letters of recommendation required or optional?
Do extra-curricular activities and hobbies influence a student's chance of being accepted?
What are the admissions requirements: SAT or ACT, high school academic units, interview, class rank, high school GPA, recommendations, or achievement test(s)?
Any special requirements for certain programs such as: portfolio, audition, interviews, or tests?
What are the admissions deadlines: rolling, early admissions, or deferred admissions?
What is the application fee?
What percent of applicants are accepted?
What are average SAT or ACT scores for incoming freshmen?
What are minimum acceptable scores?
Academics
What core courses are required in freshman year?
Any special programs such as: independent study, off-campus study, study abroad?
Do you use teaching assistants or only professors?
What is the average class size?
Are faculty members easy to reach outside of the class?
Do you accept AP credit? What is the minimum score?
What percentage of your students attend graduate school?
Is there an Honors program and what are the requirements?
What types of tutoring services are available and are they free?
What types of academic, counseling and/or career services are available?
Activities
Does the school have publications such as a student newspaper, magazine, or yearbook?
Are there clubs for dance, drama, or debate?
Is there a band, orchestra, radio station, or TV station?
Does the school allow fraternities or sororities?
Can I join political organizations, ethnic organizations, or community service programs?
Campus
What is campus setting: urban, suburban, or rural?
How large is the campus?
How many buildings?
Are other colleges nearby?
What are the local cultural and social attractions?
What types of housing are available?
How long does it take to walk from one side of the campus to the other?
Is there a bus system?
What are some special features of the campus?
What types of jobs are available on campus?
How safe is the campus? What programs are in place for student safety?
Costs
What are charges for tuition, rooms, and meals?
Are different plans available?
Is a down payment required? When?
Any special payment plans?
Dorm Life
Where do the freshmen live?
What is the quality of freshman residence halls?
What is the campus dining like?
How are roommates assigned?
How many students share a room?
What type of amenities are available (laundry, recreation space, online access for computers, etc.)?
Financial Aid
What is the total cost for one year at your institution?
Do you have a fixed tuition rate?
What types of scholarships and financial aid are available?
Do you require additional forms with the FAFSA for financial aid?
(Examples: the CSS Profile, or a college’s own institutional form for financial aid)
What percent of students receive some form of financial aid?
What is the average loan package?
How do I go about applying for scholarships to your school?
Freshmen
Are there special freshman seminars?
Freshman orientation courses?
What is the student-faculty ratio in freshman courses?
Job Placement after Graduation
What job placement services are offered?
What types of services are available through your career placement center?
Students
What is your undergraduate enrollment?
Do you have graduate programs?
What is your graduate enrollment?
What is the diversity like on campus?
Cultural, religious, geographic, etc?
What do students do for fun?
Do most students stay on campus on the weekends?
Do you have the extra-curricular activities that I am interested in?
What is the school spirit like on campus?
Is there a Greek system?
Is there a significant “Greek presence” on campus?
What are some of the most popular student activities on campus?
What percentage of students complete internships?
What percentage of students study aboard and where?
What percentage of the students live on campus and what percentage commute?
What are retention and graduation rates?
Transportation
How do students get around campus?
Is public transportation available?
Is there ample parking on campus?
Can freshman residents have cars?
How easy is it to get home and which means of transportation is best?
