NEACAC – Preparing for Senior Year

Pre–Visit Preparation

  • Do your research
  • Develop a list of questions based on your research
  • If you know of someone who goes there, ask them about the school
  • Dress appropriately
  • Obtain accurate directions and length of travel
  • *Remember, you will be making a first impression on a counselor who could be the one to review your application…

What to look for when you visit

  • A feeling of comfort
  • What is the surrounding area like?
  • Would you be happy spending 2 or 4 years at this school?
  • Listen to what your tour guide has to say and ask them questions

What to ask during a campus visit:

Counselor: Acts as liaison between you and the people with whom you wish to speak; reviews applications during the admissions process.

  • What internship opportunities are available in my major?
  • Where do students go when they graduate?
  • How do I apply for scholarships?
  • Do you have special requirement for admissions for certain majors (e.g. portfolio, higher standards)?
  • Could you review your financial deadlines and necessary forms to apply for financial aid?
  • What services does your career planning office provide?
  • What academic support does your college offer (e.g. tutoring, writing center) and is it free?
  • If applicable, how do I become involved in your Honors Program?

Tour Guide: Shares with you the student perspective and acts as a mentor during the college process.

  • What made you decide to come here?
  • If you had to choose a college again, would you make the same choice?
  • What types of things do students do on the weekends?
  • What was the hardest transition from high school to college?
  • What are your classes like?
  • What are you involved in on campus?
  • Do you feel safe on campus?
  • Will I be able to get a job on campus?
  • How’s the food/ What are my food options?
  • Are freshman allowed to have their cars on campus?

What NOT to ask during a campus visit

because these questions are most often in college literature and on the website. Remember, you have already done your research:

  • How big is your school?
  • Do you have XXX major?
  • What is your student to faculty ratio?

Post–Visit Follow–Up

  • Don’t forget to obtain business cards from the people you meet
  • Write a thank you note
  • Record your impressions of the school
    • What did the campus look like?
    • What did you like the most/least?
    • Is there anything that sticks out in your mind?

Sample College Admissions Interview Questions

NEACAC – Preparing for Senior Year

  • What qualities are you looking for in a school?
  • How far into the college search process are you?
  • What do you think you would like about xxx College/University?
  • What have you liked about your high school?
  • What have you disliked about your high school?
  • What has been your most difficult subject?
  • What strategies did you use to be successful?
  • What has been the most valuable thing you have learned in high school?
  • What have been your most meaningful extracurricular activities and why?
  • What do you feel will be the most challenging aspect of transitioning from high school to college?