What are some questions to ask on a college tour?

What percentage of your first year students are commuters? This says a lot about more about the campus than you might think.

Are most of your (insert major) classes taught by professors or TAs?

What are your average (again, insert major) class sizes?

Make sure that they have a few of your “backup majors” in case you end up changing your mind!!! My roommate came in as a pharmacy major and switched to architecture after her first semester. It definitely happens, and you don’t want to be stuck at a school that doesn’t have many other options in case you change your major.

What sorts of activities are there to do off campus, in that area? Malls, grocery stores, etc. Being able to get off campus is really important! Also find out whether they allow cars, or what types of public or school transportation (usually busses/shuttles) are available.

Best of luck, and keep your options open!

I didn’t go on an official college tour, but I did visit two schools with my dad. Thank goodness he asked a waitress if there were dance clubs in town. Back then I loved going out dancing, and three years (I transferred as a sophomore) living in a place without a dance club would have tortured me.

A friend of mine, her son’s college has a great program for freshman where people from each major talk to the freshman each week about their field of study and opportunities for employment. I think if I were touring now, I would ask what kind of guidance or information is there for learning more about majors and how it translates into real world opportunities. If companies interview seniors on campus? Stuff like that.

If it is a big campus you can ask about public transportation. If you have a car know some schools don’t allow freshman to have a car, and you would want to check about parking.

I would recommend seeing the dorms and eating in a cafeteria. Although, I didn’t do it when I visited. My campus had basically two styles of dorms, ones that had bathrooms down the hall, and one that were two dorm rooms connected by a bathroom in the middle. Usually each dorm room had two people in it. I recommended the bathroom down the hall unless you tend to wake up to pee three times a night.

Ask about campus life, what percentage live on campus. Security in the dorms, rules about people staying overnight, or, whatever might apply to you in that way.

Any notable alumni?

I would ask a lot of questions about social life, extracurriculars, nightlife, Greek life. College will be your life for the next four (probably five) years. If you are miserable, it doesn’t matter how great the school is. Ask questions about the temperament of each of the dorms if you are serious about going there. Each dorm literally can have an entirely different ambiance when it is filled with people. If you like to party one dorm might be right for you, but if you like to study another might be perfect.

Keep in mind that campus tours are about selling you on the idea that you want to go there. They will show and talk to you about the best aspects. Before or after the tour (or both), find some students that are willing to talk to you about what it is like to go there.

In addition to the above questions, find out what the campus food is like, particularly if you have any dietary restrictions. Do you work out or play sports? If so, what are their facilities like? Find out about the dormitories if you will be living on campus. Tours often include a peek into one, and it’s usually their best. One of the dorms on our campus was ancient and had no air conditioning. I pity the souls that had to live in it during the warm months.

Are there exchange programs that will allow you to study part of your degree overseas?

If you are interested in postgraduate study, what sort of opportunities are available for scholarships or ongoing study?

Are there any workplace learning opportunities (internships etc.)?

Are there any mentoring programs with businesses/organisations in your discipline? These programs can often lead to real jobs.

What opportunities are there for part time work? Is there a program to help you find some casual work to supplement your income while you study?

What is your graduation rate?
Meaning, of the number of students that start a cohort, what percentage go on to graduate?

What is your bad debt ratio?
Meaning, of the students that take out GSLs, what percentage default on their loans?

What is your placement rate?
If the school promotes a career services office, ask what percentage of graduates get placed in a relevant job with one-year of graduating?

Do they offer LOAs (leaves of absence) or must you withdraw and re-enroll to take a term off?
Re-enrolling usually involves a new FAFSA form and revaluation of your financials.