As campuses across the country start to re-open, college-bound students once again have the opportunity to visit schools and gather vital information as they seek to make one of the most important decisions of their life.
The first step, before embarking on any college visit, is to educate oneself by reading information that is readily available on college websites and in reputable publications such as U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges guide. Students and their parents can easily access data for each college such as the acceptance rate, average SAT scores of accepted students, percent of faculty who are full time, percent of classes with fewer than 20 students, percent of classes with more than 50 students, and so much more.
College visits are the perfect time to ask the tougher questions that are more specific to each potential student. If a student knows his/her intended major, it’s ideal to find out what internship or research opportunities may be available and whether study abroad would fit into the curriculum. It’s also ideal to ask where students, graduating with that major, end up securing employment and what they can expect for a starting salary.
Students who are planning to apply to college “undecided” should find out what the policy is once they decide on their major. Do they need a minimum GPA or other credentials to enroll in their newly chosen major? Are there any majors where enrollment is capped?
Students planning to live on campus should find out whether on-campus housing is guaranteed for four years. They should also ask about the campus environment on weekends and find out what percent of students remain on campus.
Students should also inquire about food options, especially if they have dietary restrictions (kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.) to find out if there would be a large selection of healthy options for their culinary needs and preferences.
Parents and students should ask college administrators the all-important question, “What is your four-year graduation rate?” An article in Money magazine stated, “the failure to graduate students in four years has become so commonplace that schools are now showing you their six-year graduation rate.” Many publications, including U.S. News & World Report, do the same!
Asking the right questions can be crucial to making an educated decision on the next step of one’s academic and career life.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
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