Learning from College Representatives

During the school year, mostly in the fall, many college representatives will visit FCDS. Meeting with a college representative is a wonderful way to begin a “relationship” with a college. When you meet with a college representative, you should try to be prepared with a number of good questions to ask. You should have taken a long look at their catalog, view book or website and formulated questions which, if answered, will facilitate your understanding of life on that particular campus. Each college admissions officer represents a unique institution, and there will always be specific questions and issues unique to each school. There are, however, some general approaches to chatting with admissions personnel which will undoubtedly help you glean solid information, whether you are talking to a large state institution or a small, liberal arts college.

Remember, a college admissions representative will often judge the quality of his or her visit to a school according to the variety and level of questioning received from the students. Certainly, student credentials are important, but admissions people like to be engaged, talked to with enthusiasm, flair and warmth.

Following is a representative list of questions, some of which you may use when you meet with a college representative. Invent some of your own. Try not to ask questions which are answered readily in the college catalog. As you talk to college representatives, be attentive to the flow of conversation. Fit the questions in as naturally and spontaneously as possible.

General

Realizing that every college and university has its strengths, how does this one distinguish itself?
What is the meaning of a liberal arts education?
What are the advantages of this school’s size? Disadvantages?
What are the advantages of this school’s location? Near a city? Do many students take advantage of city life? In the country?
What, if any, are common student complaints?
What does this college see as its mission or purpose to its students?
What types of students are most successful at this college?
What types of students would the administration like to see more of at this college?
What academic scholarships are available?
What is the annual cost, including tuition, room and board, books and expected personal expenses?
What are the average SAT scores and GPA of admitted students?
What percentage of the student body comes from outside its geographical region? What percentage is from my area?
What percentage of students is Hispanic, Black, Asian, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, International, etc?
What percentage of students attended public school/ Private school?
Is the student body homogeneous? Diverse? How so?
What percentage of freshmen return to become sophomores?
How will I compare academically with the rest of the student body?
What support services are available? General counseling? Career counseling? Tutoring? Help finding off-campus employment during the school year and summer?
What opportunities does the college offer to study abroad?
What are the special features of the library?
Are laboratories and computers available to an adequate extent? Any special facilities?
Describe the structure of the academic advising system. How effective do students say this support program really is at your school?
When is freshman orientation held?
If the campus is large, is there a bus or shuttle system available? Is there transportation available to other places in the vicinity?
What medical facilities are available on campus?

Academics

Does the university offer the major that most interests you?
In addition to requirements of my major, what other course requirements are there?
Is there a core curriculum? What are the distribution requirements of this college? Is there a requirement in language, in science, and math?
How many faculty members in my discipline? Compared to other disciplines?
Is there a graduate school? Do graduate students teach many of the first year courses? What are the advantages of this?
Does the college award AP credit? What scores are accepted for credit? In all subjects?
What are the most popular majors? What are the strongest majors?
Is it okay to be undecided about my major for a while? When is one required to declare a major?
How many students are in the typical classroom for freshmen? For upperclassmen? (Don’t settle for some pat answer here about student/faculty ratios!)
On a spectrum of all independent study at one end and all lecture classes at the other, how does this college describe its curriculum for freshmen? Upperclassmen?
What are the criteria for hiring and promoting faculty?
In the classroom, are the undergraduates customarily addressed by their professors as Mr. or Ms., or by their first names? How are the professors addressed? How formal or informal is this school? Do students have social contact with the faculty members?
What are students in my intended major doing upon graduation? How many are entering graduate and professional schools? Are companies coming onto your campus to recruit? Which ones?
What can students expect to do professionally after four years in my intended major?

Campus Life

What happens on weekends? What happened on campus last weekend, for example?
How’s the food? Are meal plans available? Describe the various dining options?
Where do students live during their freshman year? After their first year? Fraternities? Commons system? Off campus? Theme-based residences?
Do the majority of students live in campus housing? What security measures are in place in the dorms? Is their restricted visitation? Are dorms co-ed? If so, are men and women housed by floor or on the same hall?
What dorm rooms are available (singles, doubles, suites)? How do they differ? Are they air-conditioned?
Are the dorms quiet? Where do people study?
Will I be able to pursue one or two of my hobbies at this school?
What sports are available for the average athlete?
What clubs are most active on campus?
What cultural, political, and religious organizations are available?
What percentage of the student body holds down a job during the school year?
What is the relationship with the college/university and the community where it is located?