When a college rep visits your school, it’s an opportunity to put a face to your application. However, the best way to stand out and be memorable is not by solely asking questions easily answered by an online fact-sheet. This sends the rep into auto-pilot mode, rattling off memorized “sound bites” and making your interaction one that won’t stand out. The questions below will help you cultivate a more genuine and insightful connection—turning the discussion into a more personal, heart-to-heart interaction that has a higher chance of leaving an impression.
Note: notice that the questions below follow a deliberate pattern where you will alternate between asking for the admissions officer’s personal advice [R] (to establish a two-way conversation) and questions to obtain necessary information about the college [C] (which is the purpose of the conversation but steers you back to a one-way conversation). Your aim is to strike an even balance.
Tip: Print and take this sheet with you to the conversation for reference. Admissions officers like students who have notes.
♦ = must ask question
Starter Question [R]
♦ First, explain your interest in your desired major plus finding the colleges that are the right “fit” for you to grow.
♦ Then, transition to: “What is it like to be on your side of the desk?” Note: this will make you look smart and might launching the admissions officer into a 10+ minute, insightful talk about his/her past experiences.
Education Philosophy [C]
♦ What is distinctive about the educational philosophy at your college for my desired major?
♦ What do you wish more students at your college knew about your college?
♦ What are some things that people commonly misperceive about your college?
♦ Does the surrounding community contribute to student learning and experiences?
• What kinds of study abroad and non-traditional learning opportunities exist?
Becoming More Personal [R]
• What was your favorite experience from college? Why?
• If you could go back, what would you change? Why?
• Did you change your major? Why?
♦ What are your passions? How did you find or develop them through college? (Note: this is where you may turn a spark into a flame – this question is gold)
♦ What was your favorite class from college? Was the class unique to your college? What was your favorite lesson from it?
Student Life [C]
♦ What fun traditions are there?
• Are there fraternities and sororities? How dominant of an impact do they on the social scene?
• What special guest speakers have visited the college to speak in recent times?
• What musical artists have performed for students in recent times?
♦ What are some interesting initiatives that students have launched in recent times? (i.e. inventions, movements, campaigns, etc.)
Faculty Interaction [C]
• What is the typical level of interaction between students and their favorite faculty members outside of class?
♦ Do freshmen have the opportunity to take courses in their major before junior year?
• How large are the class sizes? And what does it feel like?
• Are there research opportunities with the faculty? How soon could I participate in that?
Weather and Location [C]
♦ What is the weather like throughout each season?
• What is the closest city or national park? How easy is it for students to get there?
Comparisons [R]
• Did you attend this college? If so: what led you to it? If not, how might you you have been shaped differently had you gone to this current college?
♦ Have you been an admissions officer for other colleges? How does the atmosphere of those colleges compare to this one? (Note: a lot of admissions officers have worked at other colleges – this question is gold)
Trends [C]
♦ Who is the typical type of student who is happy here?
• Has the type of student the college is attracting changed in recent times?
• Are any new programs scheduled for the next four years?
Financial Aid [C]
♦ Are there any scholarships I might be eligible for? [provide your major and academic details]
• Are there priority deadline for financial aid?
Career Advancement [R]
• Did you take part in any career advancement programs? And was it unique to your college?
Career Preparation [C]
• What does the college do to help graduates find jobs?
♦ Which companies tend to be the major employers of graduates?
Alumni Relations [R]
♦ Did you take part in any networking events to connect with alumni when you were in college. What was the best connection or insight you gained?
Alumni Network [C]
• What kind of opportunities exist for students at the college to network with alumni?
♦ In which regions are the alumni network strongest?
Closing Questions
♦ When you were applying, what do you know today that you wished you knew back then?
♦ Is there any other advice that helps applicants stand out in the admissions process?
• Bonus: are there any students who work in the admissions office and share my desired major that I might connect with to learn more about their experience as a student?
If you really feel like you made a connection, send a hand-written thank you note. Otherwise, don’t sweat it.