PREPARING FOR
THE COLLEGE TOUR

• Spring of junior year
• Summer before senior year is a good time because the admissions staff has time to talk to you
• Fall is a poor time. The admissions staff is overextended and limited amount of time is available.

Questions Families Must Ask

• Is guaranteed housing available and, if so, for how long?
• How many students graduate in four years, five years?
• What percentage of students return after their first year?
  This should be 70% or higher or
  • the school is accepting weak students
  • students are misled in admissions
• Athletes: How many players graduate? In how many years? What was the average GPA for my sport?
• What percentage of courses are taught by professors? Graduate assistants?
• What types of tutoring programs are available?(Does the school help me or am I on my own?)
• What is the process for changing majors? When must a decision be made in order to graduate in four years? Can missing courses be taken in summer school?
• Is career counseling available? What does it entail? Talk to the career placement office.
• Which companies/organizations came to recruit students last year? What percentage of students are placed in full-time jobs in their desired area within x months after graduation?
• What kinds of job-placement services are available (resume assistance, interview preparation, job fairs. etc.)?
• What are your Graduates average MCAT,/LSAT/GMAT/GRE scores?
• What graduate schools do they attend? What percentage are accepted to their first-choice graduate school?
• Ask for a list of recent graduates in your- field who would be willing to talk with you.
• What are the campus crime statistics? What kind of security systems are in place (escort services, security systems in dorms, emergency phones, police patrol, etc.)?
• What is the impact of fraternities and sororities on campus? What percentage of students are involved? When is rush?

Take Your Own Tour -- Talk to Present Students

• "Man on the Street" endorsements - ask present students about student life
• Remember - keep these student endorsements in perspective. Get a representative sampling.
• Questions:
  • What is the impact of fraternities and sororities on campus?
  • What is dorm life like? Student interaction, activities, safety, etc. (Always ask for a quiet dorm)
  • What was your typical freshman class like? Size, faculty interaction?
  • How well do you know your professors? How accessible have they been for "extra help"?
  • How would you characterize the quality of teaching? The caliber of your fellow students?
  • What factors influenced your decision to attend? Would you make the same selection again? Why?
  • How was college life different than you expected?
  • What are the school's greatest strengths/weaknesses?

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