Section III: Visiting a College

SECTION III VISITING A COLLEGE A. B. C. D.

Campus visits Suggestions for college visits and interviews Questions that students are often asked at a college interview Questions that students should ask at college interviews

CAMPUS VISITS

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEING A COLLEGE YOURSELF!!

There are many ways to find out about a college - from brochures to DVD's to the internet to college fairs.

The bottom line is that nothing beats the opportunity of going to a college and seeing it for yourself. The following ideas will help you make the most of your campus visit.

BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU GO Call the Admissions Office in advance - Just as there is no substitute for seeing a college firsthand, there is no substitute for advance planning. When you call the admissions office, tell them the date you would like to visit and the time of day you expect to arrive. If you want to stay overnight in a residence hall, ask to see if this can be arranged. Also, find out about lining up an interview (if they offer them and you would like one) or attending an information session. You may also want to visit classes, talk with faculty, and read the campus newspaper. You will be amazed at the informal information you can gather.

Research the College and prepare questions you would like answered – Review the information you have collected about the college. Check the resources in the College/Career Resource Center and browse the college's website. This research will help you think of questions to ask and give you knowledge of other areas about the college to explore while you are there. We have provided a list of questions to get you started at the end of this section. As you think of other questions, write them down.

WHEN YOU ARE THERE Talk to as many students as you can - Once you are on campus, try to take advantage of a variety of ways to gain information about the college. Meet with an admissions officer or attend an information session.

■ Take a tour of the campus and see a dormitory room ■ Sit in on a class ■ Have a meal in the cafeteria ■ Pick up copies of the student newspaper and alumni magazine Don't be bashful about asking questions!

Prepare For your Interview (if necessary) - If you have scheduled an interview, develop a list of questions you want answered. You will probably be asked about your academic background, interests, hobbies, goals, and why you are interested in the college. Be prepared. This is your opportunity to sell yourself to the college. Think about your uniqueness. What will you be able to contribute to this particular college campus. What is so unique about you that is different from other candidates for admission. As with any interview, be on time or call ahead if you know you will be delayed.

Take Time to Look Around on your Own — Take some time to explore the campus on your own and absorb the atmosphere. While organized activities can give you information you cannot get on your own, the reverse is true also.

SO MANY QUESTIONS You have probably already thought of many questions to ask during your campus visit. The following are some suggestions, but be sure to ask questions that are important to YOU!!

When You Talk to Students, Ask…….

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How many hours a week do you study? Is that typical here?

Are faculty members interested in students and accessible outside of class?

Do many students go home on weekends?

Are the athletic facilities open to all students or only to athletes?

Is it possible to study in your dorm room?

How tasty are the cafeteria meals?

Are campus jobs readily available?

Is there easy access to computers? Do you recommend I bring my own?

What is the library like as a place to do research and/or study?

What aspect of college do you like the best? The least?

How easy is it to get the classes you want?

If you could change something about this school what would that be?

What other schools did you. apply to?

If You Attend a Class, Ask Yourself…….

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Are students prepared for the class? Do they seem interested in the material?

Are students learning either new facts or new ways of thinking about the subject?

Is there time for questions and discussion? Do students participate?

Am I intellectually challenged by what is taking place in class?

Is there a good rapport between the professor and students?

Does the professor seem accessible?

Do students enjoy interactions with one another?

As You Tour the Campus, Ask Yourself…….

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Are the buildings in good repair? Are the grounds well-kept?

Are the residence halls pleasant and quiet enough to study in? How are the laundry facilities?

What is the cafeteria like?

Are the computers and lab equipment up-to-date and plentiful?

What is the surrounding town or city like?

Could I envision myself living here for the next 4-6 years?

Is this the best fit for you? Why?

In an Interview or Information Session, You Could Ask………..

■ Does the college have academic programs that fit my interests?

■ Do I need my own computer as a freshman? Can I use any computer terminals at the college? Do they supply printers?

■ Will I have access to special equipment (such as an electron microscope) as a first-year student?

■ What are the strengths and weaknesses of the college's advising system? Will you be assigned to your own advisor?

■ How many students will there be in the classes I am likely to take in my first year? Are these courses taught by professors or graduate assistants?

■ What type of campus jobs are available for first-year students?

■ Will there be any new programs or facilities in the next two years?

■ What is the college's freshmen retention rate?

■ What kind of career counseling is available for seniors? Is there a job placement office for all majors?

■ Where are students employed once they graduate from this college?

AFTER THE VISIT

Write Down Your Impressions ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Were the people you met friendly? Did they answer your questions fully and candidly?

What do you think of the quality of instruction and the academic atmosphere?

Were the students the kind of people you would like to get to know?

Did you like the social atmosphere?

Would you like to spend more time here?

Did you like the environment? Did the living areas look "livable" to you?

Is this college a fit for you? Why?

SUGGESTIONS FOR COLLEGE VISITS AND INTERVIEWS Some colleges require an interview as a part of the admission process but most do not. Only the most prestigious universities in the country will require this. It is still important for you to visit the college where you will spend the next four years of your life. The visit and/or interview may help you in deciding what college you want to attend or it may further verify a decision that you have already made.

Interviews can follow several formats. It can be designed to share information or to evaluate you as a candidate for admission. These interviews can be done individually or in a group setting. Some colleges may use the evaluative interview to determine your viability as an applicant thus aiding them in determining if you should be admitted to their university.

No two college interviews are alike as they can range from friendly to reserved. However, the interview is much more than a formality; it is the best opportunity for you to get to know the university and for the college to gain insights about you. Along with your grades, test scores, and activities, the interview can distinguish you from other students and give you an individual identity. Don’t be stressed out but be prepared for some challenging questions.

Here are some tips to help you relax and to make the interviewing experience pleasant: •Schedule the appointment well in advance by email or phone.

•Schedule your first choice last to practice your interview skills at schools that are not as high on your list.

•Always keep an appointment.

•Be well informed about the college prior to the interview.

•Create a resume.

•Act naturally and be yourself.

•Review some of the questions in this section.

•Be prepared with a list of questions you would like answered.

•Have a choice of career or major in mind. It gives you something to discuss •Tell the interviewer about the subjects you like best and/or least and be able to give thoughtful reasons for such judgments.

•Plan to stay on the campus long enough to see it in action and try to visit a class or dormitory.

•Be honest; say what you mean and mean what you say. Honesty pays.

•Dress properly.

•Allow sufficient time to arrive at the school before your scheduled interview •Mail a thank you note.

QUESTIONS THAT STUDENTS ARE OFTEN ASKED AT A COLLEGE INTERVIEW The following questions are a cross section of those that are generally asked at college interviews: •How did you first hear about our college?

•Tell me about yourself.

•What are your career goals (long-range and short-range)?

•What accomplishments have you achieved or activities have you participated in that have a particular effect on you and your life?

•What might you be interested in as a future profession?

•What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?

•What is the most significant contribution you have made to your school?

•How do you spend your leisure time?

•What teacher impressed you the most in the past year?

•What three books have impressed you most in the past year?

•What were the three most important events in your lifetime?

•What decisions have you most regretted? Why? •What are your priorities in selecting a college?

•How familiar are you with this college and its programs?

•Where do you see yourself in four years?

•Discuss your most stimulating intellectual experience.

•What problems are the most critical for the U.S. in the next five years?

•Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

•Are there any questions that you want to ask?

•Why should we accept you at our college?

QUESTIONS STUDENTS SHOULD ASK AT COLLEGE INTERVIEWS Visit the college while it's in session so that you will be able to talk not only with the admissions officer, but also with the students who attend the college.

You may wish to ask some of these questions while you're visiting and interviewing: •Are you familiar with my high school? Is there anything I can tell you about it?

•How many of your graduates go on to graduate school?

•What do students do on weekends?

•Can you tell me about the placement record of graduates with major companies?

•How successful have graduates from my intended major been in getting jobs in their own or related academic areas?

•What athletic teams and clubs are the most popular here?

•Do you place more emphasis on class rank or standardized test scores in your admissions decisions?

•What percent of the entering freshman class return for their sophomore year? What percent graduate in four years?

•How large are your freshman introductory classes?

•How do I compare academically with students already attending this school?

•Is there a computer network from the school library that can be accessed by all dorm rooms?

•If majoring in an area requiring certification, licensing, etc., ask whether the program will qualify you for entrance into the profession and prepare you for state or national certifying examinations.

•What are the chances of my being admitted based upon my high school record?

•What attention is the college presently paying to such topics as drug-alcohol counseling and campus safety?