Answer 1

Here are questions to ask on a college tour that can help you to become better acquainted with the school:

• What percentage of students return for a second year?
• What percentage of students graduate in 4 years?
• What percentage of students find a career in their field within 5 years of graduation?
• Are students able to be assigned a mentor in the workforce before senior year?
• What is the campus crime rate? The rate is reflective of what type of crime?
• What options are there for commuter students to feel connected to the campus and other students?
• Does the college offer transportation from the local train station to campus?
• Can you give some examples of internships your students have been offered?
• Each year tuition goes up for many schools; what has been the percentage increase each year for your school?
• If the school is a Catholic college, are there particular classes students must take?
• Does the school offer substance-free dorms?
• What percentage of classes are led by teaching assistants?
• Are professors required to "publish?"
• Do incoming freshman take a first-year seminar class?
• Is the school a suitcase college?
• Can freshmen have cars on campus?
• What is the percentage of students accepted to medical and law school upon graduation? What percentage of students are accepted into a graduate program upon graduation?
• Does your school offer/require laptops of all students?
• What kind of special services do you offer a student that had an IEP while in high school? Are student counseling services available on campus?
• Are students permitted to take summer courses at home and transfer credits to your institution?
• Is your school test optional?
• What are the average SAT/ACT scores of students accepted to your school?
• If wait listed, what can a student do to be moved off of the list?
• Is there a volunteer EMT site on campus or does the township service emergency calls to the college?
• What percentage of acceptances are offered to students applying regular decision as opposed to early decision?
• Can a letter of recommendation for your school come from an employer or are they required to come from teachers and counselors only?
• How late into the evening is food service available on campus?
• Does your health center have a doctor on campus or, on call?
• What is the general size of an upper division class?
• Do undergraduates have opportunities to be involved in research on campus?
• What honors programs does your school offer?
• Are senior students required to complete a project, research task, etc.?
• Does your college offer any type of tutoring or assistance with mathematics or writing on campus?
• Do you offer a study abroad program?
• What types of financial aid does your school offer? What does a typical package look like? Is there Greek life on campus? How are their activities monitored?
• What form of career services does your school offer?

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The typical tour is conducted by a student who works for the admissions office and may not have all admissions data that a member of the admission staff would have.

Before I give you some questions to ask let me say that the best time to ask " inside questions" is after the tour is over and it is just you, your parents, and the tour guide. Let's do those questions first:

• Why did you decided to enroll at this school?
• Where else were you admitted?
• How accommodating do you find professors with office hours and extra help?
• What do you think is a big social issue on campus?
• How secure are the dorms? A
• re there 24/7 foot patrols on campus?
• if you had to pick one thing to change about this college/university what would it be?
• What would you want not to change?

You will find most tour guides are great kids and will talk with you (always ask them if they have a few extra minutes to give you).

Other questions you might find important are:

• How many credits can you take in the summer at another school?
• Can any courses for graduation be tested out of?
• Is there a late night shuttle between the library and the dorms?
• How wired is the campus?
• Are there any plans in the next four years to expand the campus in terms of academic buildings or resident halls?
• Can you explain the course registration process for incoming freshmen?

As the tour moves around campus other questions will come up based on the guide's presentation. One more tip-- always take pictures of each campus you visit because after three campuses you may forget what you saw at each campus.  Good luck.

Answer 3

There are so many! Here are some to questions to consider asking on a college visit:

• What is the current student enrollment?
• What percent of students receive financial aid?
• What are the required high school courses?
• What entrance exams are required?
• What percentage of applications are accepted?
• What is the application deadline?
• What are the financial aid forms that are required?
• What athletic programs are available?
• Is there a big emphasis on Greek life?
• What is the male-to female ratio?
• What is the four year graduation rate?
• What special programs are offered?