The Visit: Questions to help you evaluate the colleges you visit and research.

You may want to create a list of questions to answer for each college that you investigate. Such questions could include:

Admission

• How selective is the college?
• Realistically, what are your chances of getting in?
• Difficulty: Will the work be challenging or too easy? Is it a school where every student works hard? A school where parties are a top priority?
• Financial Aid – what kind is offered?
• What will it cost, including tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, travel to and from campus, pocket money?

Physical Environment

• Is the location rural, suburban or urban?
• How many students does it have?
• How far is it from home?
• Are the students mostly commuters or resident?
• Is campus housing available and guaranteed for all four years? Can you choose co-ed or single sex dorms?
• Safety: Are the dorms secure? Is there an escort service at night?
• Facilities: Are there adequate sports and recreational facilities? Music, art, drama? Where do students eat? What meal plans are offered?

Academic Environment

• Quality of programs: What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• Does the college offer academic programs in which you are interested?
• Faculty: Do students have access to faculty? Do all professors teach undergraduates? How many classes are taught by teaching assistants?
• Curriculum: Is there are core curriculum? How much freedom do you have in course selection? What courses must you take to satisfy requirements?
• Library: How many books are in the library? Is it fully computerized? Is the campus tied to a larger network?
• Computers: Are computers required of freshmen? What kind of computer facilities exist on campus?
• Advanced Placement: Does the school accept AP credits? For what scores?
• Honors Programs: Are they available? Who is eligible?
• Study Abroad: Is it offered?
• Internships: What is available? Do any of them pay a salary or stipend?
• Graduation Rates: What percentage of students graduate? How long does it take most students to graduate?
• Graduate School: What percentage of students go on to graduate or professional schools? What percentage are accepted to the school of their choice?
• Career Opportunities: How many graduates go directly into the marketplace? Is there a helpful career services office?

Student Environment

• Student Body: How would you describe a “typical” student? What is the male/female ratio?
• Geographical Diversity: Is the college regional, or does it attract students from all over the US? Are there international students?
• Ethnic Diversity: What percentage of students are considered students of color? How well does the institution address issues that concern students of color?
• Athletic Programs: In which division does the college compete? Are there equally strong programs for men and women? Does the school offer a variety of intercollegiate and intramural sports programs?
• Social Life: Is there a wide range of social activities? What do students do on a typical Saturday night? Or Wednesday night? How important are fraternities and sororities?

NOTE: This list of questions was adapted from “The Boston Latin School College Handbook” for inclusion into the Hunter College High School "College Counseling Handbook" by permission of the Counseling Office at Boston Latin School.