Deciding where to go to college can be challenging — but know that you’re not alone in this!
You really should make visiting college campuses a priority, and taking an organized campus tour is always encouraged. As you do so, remember to ask the below questions of the student ambassador hosting the campus tour.
After all, a campus tour is meant to give you an accurate, informative picture of what it would be like to attend college!
By the way, you should check out our digital resource — the One-Stop College Application Shop — and learn everything you need to know about applying to college!
1. Why did you decide to attend this college?
This is an important question to get an answer to. Hearing the reasons behind a current student’s decision can help you see advantages of the school that you haven’t thought of before.
2. What activities and services are available to help students get settled (academically and socially)?
Going to a new school can be daunting, especially if this is your first time living away from home. It is important to get a feel for how you can get involved early on and where you can go for help!
3. How available are professors? Do they stay true to their posted office hours?
Being able to ask questions and get extra help from your professors will be important throughout your college career, so knowing how hard you will have to work to get your professors’ attention is valuable information to have upfront.
4. Who can I talk to about funding my college degree?
Financing a college education can be a challenge, and that’s why it’s important to figure out how to get in touch with a college’s financial aid professionals.
5. What transportation options are available to and from campus?
If you don’t plan on having a car on campus, it is essential that you find out the various transportation resources that the school offers. Many urban or suburban schools have shuttles to and from Metro stations or major points of interest in the city.
6. What are the meal plans like?
It’s important to figure out if you can sign up for a meal plan whether you’re living on or off campus. Also, colleges are catering more and more to special diets, but it is still important that you check out the dining plans and facilities to ensure that they meet your particular needs.
7. What opportunities exist for participation in sports?
Most colleges have a large variety of sports and levels of competition, from intramurals to club teams sports. This can be a fun way to get out and try something new — even if it wasn’t your thing in high school.
8. What is the social scene like?
Regardless of what your ideal Friday night might look like, it’s good to know what your weekend social options are. It’s also good to ask about the availability of public transportation and what there is to do in the surrounding area.
9. Is campus housing guaranteed for all four years?
Get as much information about housing as you can. Knowing whether housing is guaranteed early on will allow you to scope out the surrounding area, as well as see if you would be comfortable living there as an upperclassman.
10. How easy is it to find a job on campus?
If you plan on working in college and don’t have access to a car, you will likely need to find a job on campus. Find out what kinds of jobs are available to students, how much they pay and also how competitive these on-campus jobs are.
11. What are the advantages of going to college in this particular area?
It’s important to figure out if there are academic and professional benefits to going to school in a particular area. For instance, going to college near a big city may be beneficial to you if you plan on pursuing a degree like Cybersecurity!
Note: Marymount University is nestled just a few Metro stops from downtown D.C., and we are thrilled to offer a remarkable education that’s focused on a unique academic experience near one of the most incredible cities for both interns and recent college graduates.
We hope these questions have been helpful to you as you consider visiting, touring and applying to college.
We hope you’ll schedule a visit with us soon!
Are you a high school student starting to stress about conquering the college admissions process? Check out our new, interactive resource — the One-Stop College Application Shop — your “go-to” resource for everything you need to know about applying to college!
