Touring prospective colleges is an excellent opportunity for students to learn from the people that study, teach, and work on campus. If students keep their eyes and ears open, they can gain a strong sense of a schools along with its culture. To help students make the most of their visits, they should have thoughtful questions prepared to ask on a college tour.
Top 5 Questions High School Counselors Should Give to Students When Touring Colleges
1. What are the key traits that you look for in potential students?
If a student asks the admissions office this question, they are likely to give a solid elevator pitch of what they are looking for, but it almost always never paints a complete picture. A better approach would be to ask a student or somebody in the student life office what qualities differentiate students at that school from those of another school.
2. What types of work-study opportunities are available?
Colleges sometimes offer typical positions such as computer lab or library assistant while other may partner with established organizations or companies to place students. Students can even apply for the federal Work-Study program via FASFA that can help them earn money to help them offset some of their college costs, but the quality of programs may vary from college to college.
3. What type of career services are offered on campus?
The visiting high schoolers might be just looking to get started with college, but it is never too early to start thinking about what they will do after they graduate. It can therefore be a good idea to find out just how many career fairs are hosted by the school and which companies are usually in attendance to recruit students.
4. How many students are in the freshman class on average?
Knowing the number of students that will be members of the freshman class can help prospective students identify where a school fits in their comfort zone. While some students have no issue with being one of several thousand students, others may prefer a school with a smaller and more intimate setting. Enrollment trends can also give prospective students more insight into whether a school is getting smaller or larger.
5. What is the average amount of financial aid that’s offered to students?
Prospective students should also take the time to evaluate how much aid they may be eligible for in relation to their total cost of attendance. When asking about the typical amount of financial aid offered, it is also important to find out whether the school guarantees sufficient aid to meet their financial needs. It can also be a good idea to find out how often students receive grants as opposed to federal loans. The great thing about grants is that unlike federal loans, they don’t have to be repaid.
Final Thoughts
If you are a high school counselor, the five questions discussed here can be an excellent starting point for your students who will be touring prospective colleges. Always remind your students that they are visiting the college to find out whether it is a good match for them. Currently enrolled students might like it, but prospective students have to decide whether they will too.
Reach out to high schools counselors today!