Visiting college campuses is an essential part of the college search process. It gives you a chance to see the campus up close, meet with students and faculty, and get a feel for the overall atmosphere. But what should you ask on a college tour?
Here are some questions to consider:
Academics
- What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
- What is the average class size?
- What are the most popular majors?
- What kind of research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- What are the graduation rates?
- What is the就職率?
- Which Majors are in demand by employers?
- What kind of academic advising Do the they provide?
- Does the college offer tutoring, writing centers, and other academic support services?
- What is the college’s policy on cheating and plagiarism?
- What is the college’s policy on academic probation?
- Do you offer summer programs?
- Do you have courses or programs that address the latest trends or advancements in the field?
- How does the college integrate experiential learning into its curriculum?
Campus Life
- What is the student body like?
- What kind of social events are there on campus?
- What kind of clubs and organizations are there?
- What kind of recreational facilities are available to students?
- What kind of housing options are available?
- What is the cost of on-campus housing?
- What is the cost of off-campus housing?
- What kind of dining options are available on campus?
- What is the cost of a meal plan?
- What is the cost of transportation on campus?
- Is the campus safe?
- What kind of health services are available to students?
- What kind of counseling services are available to students?
- What kind of career services are available to students?
- What kind of disability services are available to students?
- Do you have a campus shuttle service?
- Is parking available for students?
- Is the campus accessible to students with disabilities?
- Are there opportunities for students to get involved in the local community?
- How does the college promote diversity and inclusion on campus?
- What is the college’s policy on alcohol and drug use?
- What is the college’s policy on sexual assault?
- Does the college have a Greek system?
- How does the college support student mental health?
Cost and Financial Aid
- What is the cost of tuition?
- What is the cost of fees?
- What is the cost of room and board?
- What is the cost of books and supplies?
- What is the cost of transportation?
- What is the cost of personal expenses?
- What kind of financial aid is available?
- What is the average financial aid package?
- What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
- What is the college’s policy on scholarships?
- What is the college’s policy on student loans?
- What is the college’s policy on work-study?
- Can you help me understand how my Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated?
- What are the different types of financial aid available, and which ones am I eligible for?
- What are the deadlines for applying for financial aid?
- How can I increase my chances of receiving financial aid?
- How will the financial aid package affect my monthly payments?
Other Questions
- What is the college’s mission statement?
- What are the college’s core values?
- What is the college’s history?
- What is the college’s relationship with the local community?
- What do you think was the biggest challenge or obstacle you had to overcome on your college journey?
- What advice would you give to a high school student who is starting the college search process?
- How do you think colleges could improve their college tour experience?
- What is the most important thing you want prospective students to know about your college?
Additional Tips for Asking Questions on a College Tour
- Be prepared. Do some research on the college before your visit so that you can ask informed questions.
- Be specific. Don’t ask general questions like “What is the campus like?” Instead, ask specific questions like “What is the average class size?” or “What kind of social events are there on campus?”
- Be engaged. Ask questions that show that you are interested in the college and that you are taking the tour seriously.
- Be respectful. Remember that the tour guide is a student or staff member who is volunteering their time to show you around campus. Be polite and respectful of their time.
Pain Points of College Tours
- Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of questions to ask.
- Not knowing which questions are most important to ask.
- Feeling like you’re interrupting the tour guide with your questions.
- Feeling like you’re not getting the most out of the tour because you’re not asking the right questions.
Strategies for Overcoming Pain Points
- Do your research ahead of time. This will help you narrow down the questions you want to ask and make the most of your time on the tour.
- Prioritize your questions. Decide which questions are most important to you and ask those first.
- Be respectful of the tour guide’s time. If you have a lot of questions, try to ask them at the end of the tour or during a break.
- Ask for clarification. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
- Take notes. This will help you remember the answers to your questions and make it easier to compare different colleges.
Tips and Tricks for Asking Great College Tour Questions
- Ask open-ended questions. These types of questions allow the tour guide to give you more detailed answers.
- Be specific. Don’t ask general questions like “What is the campus like?” Instead, ask specific questions like “What is the average class size?” or “What kind of social events are there on campus?”
- Be engaged. Ask questions that show that you are interested in the college and that you are taking the tour seriously.
- Be respectful. Remember that the tour guide is a student or staff member who is volunteering their time to show you around campus. Be polite and respectful of their time.
In addition to the questions listed above, you should also ask questions that are specific to your interests and goals. For example, if you are interested in music, you might ask about the college’s music program. Or, if you are interested in studying abroad, you might ask about the college’s study abroad opportunities.
By asking thoughtful questions on your college tour, you can get a better understanding of the college and whether it is a good fit for you.
Table 1: Questions About Academics
| Question | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| What is the student-to-faculty ratio? | This will give you an idea of how much access you will have to your professors. |
| What is the average class size? | This will give you an idea of how much personalized attention you will receive from your professors. |
| What are the most popular majors? | This will give you an idea of the strengths of the college’s academic programs. |
| What kind of research opportunities are available to undergraduates? | This will give you an idea of whether the college has a strong research focus. |
| What are the graduation rates? | This will give you an idea of how successful the college is at helping its students graduate. |
| What is the就職率? | This will give you an idea of how well the college prepares its students for the job market. |
Table 2: Questions About Campus Life
| Question | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| What is the student body like? | This will give you an idea of the overall atmosphere of the college. |
| What kind of social events are there on campus? | This will give you an idea of whether the college has a strong social scene. |
| What kind of clubs and organizations are there? | This will give you an idea of whether the college has a wide range of activities for students to get involved in. |
| What kind of recreational facilities are available to students? | This will give you an idea of whether the college has the amenities that you are looking for. |
| What kind of housing options are available? | This will give you an idea of whether the college has the type of housing that you are looking for. |
| What is the cost of on-campus housing? | This will give you an idea of how much it will cost to live on campus. |
Table 3: Questions About Cost and Financial Aid
| Question | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| What is the cost of tuition? | This will give you an idea of how much it will cost to attend the |
