1. Heather M. Butts, J.D., M.P.H., M.A.

2. The College Visit
 Remember you have to get the most of your college
visit – don’t just go on the tour and leave!
 You may have an interview while on campus – let’s
review the interview process!

3. College Visit - Tips
 Check out the campus on your own
 It is always advisable to take the college tour, but you
should also take some time to explore the campus on
your own. If the campus has a weekend or time when
you can visit classes talk with students even better!

4. College Visit - Tips
 Eat in the Dining Hall
 Even better, if you can eat in the dining hall and speak
with a student or students on campus!

5. College Visit - Tips
 Take Lots of Notes!
 Things that seem clear while on campus will begin to
fade with time – take lots of notes so you can compare
schools at a later date!

6. College Visit – Tips
 Try to do a sleep over for a weekend
 Again, talk with LOTS of students

7. Exercise #1
 When you go to visit a school, who do you think you
should try to see while on campus?

8. Questions to ask when you visit a
school!
 You can ask these questions of the individuals doing the tours,
financial aid, admissions, professors you meet with. . . .
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Academics
—How much time do students typically spend on homework?
—How much writing and reading are expected?
—What is the average class size of introductory classes?
—How widely used are teaching assistants on your campus?
—What is the average class size of upper-division courses?
—What opportunities are there for undergraduate research?
—How many students participate in undergraduate research?
—Is there a culminating senior year experience?
—Do you have an honors college?
—Do you have a learning community or other freshman experience?

9. Questions to ask when you visit a
school!
 Financial Aid
 —What is your average financial aid package?
 —What is the typical breakdown of loans versus grants?
 —What percentage of financial need does the school
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typically meet?
—What is the average merit award?
—What percentage of students receive college grants?
—What is the average college debt that students leave
with?
—What work-study opportunities are there?

10. Questions to ask when you visit a
school!
 Graduation Track Record
 —What is your four-year graduation rate?
 —What is your five-year graduation rate?
 —What does it take to graduate in four years?
 —What percentage of freshmen return for sophomore
year?

11. Questions to ask when you visit a
School!
 Academic Support
 —What type of tutoring program do you have?
 —How do you provide academic advice to students?
 —Do you have a writing center and how do I access it?
 —What kind of learning disability resources do you
have?

12. Questions to ask when you visit a
school!
 Outside Opportunities
 —How many students at the college get internships?
 —What percentage of students study abroad?
 —What type of career services do you have?

13. Questions to ask when you visit a
school!
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Student Life
—What kind of dorm choices are there?
—What percentage of student live on campus?
—How long are dorm accommodations guaranteed?
—How many students live on campus?
—Do most students go home on the weekend?
—What percentage of the study body belongs to a
sorority or fraternity?
 —What activities are offered to students?
 —What clubs do you have on campus?

14. Exercise #2
 1. Tell me about yourself?
 2. What courses have you taken that will prepare you
for school work in college?
 3. Name one strength and one weakness about
yourself?
 4. Tell me about a time when you handled a challenge
effectively?
 5. Why should a college accept you over other
applicants?

15. Exercise #3
 List out 5 characteristics that you would like to see in a
college that you go to?

16. Review: Questions to ask when you
visit a school!
 You can ask these questions of the individuals doing the tours,
financial aid, admissions, professors you meet with. . . .











Academics
—How much time do students typically spend on homework?
—How much writing and reading are expected?
—What is the average class size of introductory classes?
—How widely used are teaching assistants on your campus?
—What is the average class size of upper-division courses?
—What opportunities are there for undergraduate research?
—How many students participate in undergraduate research?
—Is there a culminating senior year experience?
—Do you have an honors college?
—Do you have a learning community or other freshman experience?

17. Questions?