Choosing a college is a very important step in defining your future. The popularity or prestige of a school is not the most essential issue to consider though. In the widest context, you are going to spend the next four years of your life in college, interacting with people, taking part in a huge range of various activities, and gaining knowledge, skills, and experience. In this sense, college tours are a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with this place closer and better. Indeed, you get a wonderful chance to communicate with workers, teachers, and students, getting the first-hand information from the inside and learning a lot of useful things.
Nevertheless, just walking around sightseeing, reading the brochures, and listening to the speeches prepared in advance is not enough. To get acquainted with the school of your dreamsbetter, you should talk to people around and ask questions, trying to get as much of essential information as possible. To make this process successful, it is important to prepare a list of questions that will help you in this endeavor. However, they must be well thought-out and reasonable. Of course, asking “Where can I buy law essay for my classes” is not the best option. Make sure that your questions are thoughtful and meaningful, able to draw a more detailed picture of a college than the carefully crafted image presented on a website or in an advertising brochure.
Here are some useful ideas of issues you can ask people who are a part of your dream college.
A Tour Guide
Usually (but not always) tour guides are studying at the same college currently. This fact makes them perfect candidates for sharing all the possible information about the life on campus. Naturally, these people are in a better position to answer all the questions related to this topic than someone who has graduated some 20 years ago or has never studied in this college at all. Thus, use this opportunity to ask as many questions as possible to receive the most candid and the fullest picture of what this place is really like.
Ask questions about your tour guide’s likes and dislikes in relation to the school, the reason behind their choice of studying here and if they regret about it now, what activities are offered, and what is their favorite way to spend their time here. Enquireabout the food, dorms, professors, courses, classes, library, computer labs, gym, and other facilities. Ask them about the way majors and advisors are chosen or assigned and the possibility to get help from the professors or assistants; about the resources and support available on campus; about the health and psychological services, social programs, and career counselling; about the possible study programs, internship, and extracurricular activities; and about sorority/fraternity traditions. A tour guide is also a person who can provide the insights about the concerts, cinemas, party scenes, traditional events, and job opportunities on the campus.
Generally, if a tour guide studies here currently, he or she can provide very honest first-hand information about everything around. You can ask them about their freshman year to imaginewhat it could be personally for you. In addition, they can even offer some pieces of advice based on their own experience. However, if they are not studying here and cannot answer some questions of personal character, try to find any student and ask them the same.
Admissions Officer
A person from the admissions office (also known as admissions counsellor) is someone assigned to you to help throughout the college search process. Getting an appointment with such a person is a perfect opportunity to get answers to more serious questions concerning the admission. A checklist of questions prepared beforehand will demonstrate your readiness and eagerness to become a part of this institution. Enquire them about the application and admission procedure in detail, the scores required and qualities and expertise expected of applicants. Ask if they require any grade point average; if any essays or letters of recommendations are needed; and if there are any other specific requirements. What are the factors that mostly affect the admission and what are the tricks that can make the application stand out for the committee? Do not forget to enquire about deadlines, fees, possible waiver, financial aid reward, and other relevant questions. Since admissions officers work in this very college, they can answer academics-related questions about the class size, student-to-faculty ratios, class selection, major selection, support services, graduation rates, employment rates after graduation, internships, or pre-professional majors.
Financial Aid Officer
During such an important visit, you may also be allowed to talk to a financial aid professional. This is a wonderful chance to discuss all the issues concerning your financial situation and needs. These people are in a position to answer crucial questions concerning fees, scholarships, and the increase of both; possibilities of getting scholarships, grants, and loans; financial aid awards; work-study qualifications; FAFSA; and any extra expenses that may be present. Make sure to clarify all the issues concerning FAFSA submission, the possible change of a family’s financial situation, merit- and need-based scholarships, financial aid for veterans and children of veterans, etc. A financial aid officer is the right person to discuss all the issues about your family financial needs beforehand.
Faculty Member
Communication with a professor is perhaps the most fascinating moment during a college tour. Firstly, it may be your future instructor. Secondly, the information they will share about the educational process, the department, their own approach to teaching, and other relevant issues may change the trajectory of your college and even career choice… Therefore, questions prepared for a professor must be well thought-out before approaching them.
First of all, ask them what classes they teach, which ones they like the most, what is their typical syllabus, and what is their teaching and communication style. You can enquire them about the reasons they have chosen this profession, this specialty, and this college – information that can offer a lot of interesting insights about the person you are likely to work with in case you become a student here. Ask the faculty member about their expectations from the students both at the beginning and at the end of the semester and what are their measurements of success. Get to know if they provide any research opportunities during the studies, assistance in determining the career path, and help with internship and jobs after graduation. It is good to ask if they prefer interactive learning, lectures, or group work; how they choose textbooks; and if they have any assistants, supplemental instruction sessions, and additional resources available for prospective students and their parents.
Each person you will communicate with during such a tour around the school is in a position to give answers to the trickiest questions concerning very different aspects of life in school you will study at. However, you must ensure that the questions you have prepared are able to pump the deepest details out of your interlocutor. In any case, to know that this college is the exact place you want to stay, you must paint its fullest and the most vivid picture.