| A personal visit to a post-secondary
institution is often the most useful step in helping students and
their parents decide whether or not to apply to a particular school.
Students are encouraged to make use of group tours, open house events
and group information sessions as a way of obtaining first-hand impressions
of schools. Visits during the regular academic year provide a more
accurate view of the academic and social life of a campus, but families
often make use of summer vacation to visit several schools that are
at a distance. Where possible, it is a good idea to avoid the distortions
of the days of registration, final exams and special campus events
such as homecomings or festivals. Several high school holidays such
as Columbus Day weekend or Veterans Day allow students who visit colleges
to minimize the disruption to their own academic program. Typically
students visit colleges either in the spring of the junior year, during
the summer before senior year or in the fall of the senior year. |
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| What are some questions to
ask during a college visit? |
| 1 |
What constitutes a typical freshman
program? |
| 2 |
Who teaches freshman courses? Graduate
assistants or permanent staff? |
| 3 |
What is the average class size for
first-year students and introductory courses? |
| 4 |
Which departments are strongest? Will
they be truthful? |
| 5 |
To what extent is there interaction
between faculty and students? |
| 6 |
How good are the library facilities?
How many volumes are available and what technology and support are
available? |
| 7 |
What cultural opportunities are available
in the community? |
| 8 |
For what reasons did the students
choose that particular college? |
| 9 |
What is the make-up of the student
body? Are there a number of foreign students and students from all
over the U.S.? |
| 10 |
What types of financial aid are available? |
| 11 |
If the college is co-educational,
what is the ratio of men to women? |
| 12 |
How complete are infirmary and health
facilities? |
| 13 |
Is there a professional counseling
service available for career planning and personal concerns? Faculty
advisor? |
| 14 |
How active and effective is student
government? |
| 15 |
How strong is school spirit? What
activities are offered to encourage school spirit? |
| 16 |
What are the opportunities for participating
in intercollegiate or intramural sports? |
| 17 |
What type of housing is available
to first-year students? |
| 18 |
How are roommates chosen? |
| 19 |
Is campus security an area of concern
to students or faculty? |
| 20 |
What is the return rate for second-year
students? How many of the original freshman graduate? |
| 21 |
Is there an active Alumni Association? |
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| The College Admissions Interview/Visit |
| While the trend at colleges and universities
is moving away from the once-all-important personal interview toward
a more relaxed, general information meeting, some colleges still require
an interview, some recommend it (which is an offer students should
not refuse), and still others leave it up to the applicant. Although
generally not as important as other parts of the application process,
a good interview can be helpful when admission decisions are made.
Students should write or call the admissions office of the colleges
in which they are interested two or three weeks in advance to make
arrangements for a personal interview, if possible, and a tour of
campus facilities. Some colleges, usually large universities, will
grant only group interviews. At a few colleges, typically the most
competitive schools, students need to schedule an interview several
months in advance. Some Ivy League schools will not be able to grant
a personal interview; they rely on alumni interviews which are arranged
after an application is on file. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: |
| |
| Here are a few tips to keep in mind: |
| 1 |
Arrive promptly, dressed in a manner
which you feel represents your best foot forward. |
| 2 |
Conduct yourself in a friendly, inquisitive,
and interested manner. Phonies are easy to spot, but the person with
no enthusiasm or questions can be equally as unimpressive. |
| 3 |
While it is not necessary, feel free
to bring your parents. They probably won't sit in on the interview
but they, too, may have questions and concerns which may be answered
on campus. |
| 4 |
Avoid being overly impressed by a
“super salesman” in the admissions office. On the other
hand, don’t be “turned off” by an unimpressive admissions
officer. Try to gain information and don't be influenced unduly by
a personality. |
| 5 |
Be sure to prepare in advance a list
of questions to ask about the school. Bring a written list, if necessary,
to be sure you don’t forget your questions due to nervousness
or excitement in the interview. |
| 6 |
Avoid asking questions that can be
readily answered by reading the catalog. This approach enables you
to make the most effective use of your limited interview time and
may show a knowledge of the catalog and a thoroughness of planning
on your part. |
| 7 |
Bring with you a copy of your transcript
(available through the Registrar’s Office). You might also want
to write in your SAT scores on the transcript. |
| 8 |
Make note of the name and address
of your interviewer and write a thank you note after the interview. |
| 9 |
Take advantage of the campus tour
often provided by the admissions office. The library, student union,
freshman housing, music, drama, and athletic facilities are areas
to consider in addition to the academic classes and labs. |
| 10 |
Talk to students in the dorms, in
the student union, at the bookstore, or wherever they congregate.
A graduate of your own high school can be very helpful in describing
his/her experience. |
| 11 |
Sit in on classes if you are given
the opportunity. |
| 12 |
Talk to professors and coaches. |
| |
|
| Questions you might be asked during
an interview |
| 1 |
Tell me about yourself. |
| 2 |
Why have you selected this particular
college? |
| 3 |
In what academic areas are you interested?
Why? (Be prepared to speak on sciences, social studies, English, etc.) |
| 4 |
What are your long-term goals? How
do you see yourself in ten years? |
| 5 |
What do you like most about your high
school? |
| 6 |
In what extracurricular activities
do you participate? |
| 7 |
What do you think our college can
do for you? What do you think you can do for our college? |
| 8 |
Have you done volunteer work in your
community? If so, describe and tell why you chose to volunteer in
that area? |
| 9 |
What are your strong points and your
weak points? |
| |
|
| What is an alumni admissions interview? |
| |
Some colleges do not give personal
interviews to students, but do offer the option of an alumni interview.
Colleges are increasingly utilizing alumni in the college admissions
process. In some cases on-campus interviews are not granted, but once
an application is filed, the student may arrange for an alumni interview
or the college may arrange for such an interview. Many Ivy League
schools utilize this system. In other cases, on-campus interviews
are encouraged, but a student may be unable to arrange a visit. In
such cases, the alumni interview may be requested, and is a good alternative.
These interviews are arranged through the admissions office and are
often conducted at the alumni representative's home or office. |
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