Questions to ask doing campus visits (or virtual visits)

I’ve been encouraging my students to do a few virtual tours a week given that in person visits are not happening and we all have extra time on our hands.

One thing I’ll say is that pay attention to how schools handled their schools closing. Did they give students 24 hours to clear out of campus, or were students given a few weeks to move out? You can tell a lot about a school by how they treat their students.I just heard from a student at a small liberal arts college who said the entire faculty split up the school list and are calling students to check in.

In these unprecedented times, I’ve seen unprecedented access to admissions counselors and administrators at colleges. I know schools can seem more same than different virtually, but I encourage you to dig a little deeper. Email admissions officers and ask questions, ask to connect with a student in a program you might be interested in, or even email professors if there is a program or curriculum you are really excited about.

Here are some great questions to ask, if you are stumped:

• What kinds of students fit in at your school?
• What are students favorite classes or professors?
• What kind of support do you offer students around campus?
• What did you do last night?
• Is it easy to get around the city or town where your college is located?
• What’s your favorite place to study or hang out on campus?