Your College Search - You Have Questions...Make Sure You Get Answers

Choosing a college where you’ll spend the next four years can be challenging, but doing your homework and being prepared with questions on a range of topics will help you sort the campuses you love from those you don’t. The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) offers college planning and financial aid tools to help you make the best choices as you select a college. HESC is the state agency that helps people pay for college.

Review college Web sites before you plan visits -- it will answer most of your basic questions. Web sites such as Mapping Your Future, sponsored by and available from the HESC Web site, have college comparison tools and virtual campus tours to help you decide which schools you want to visit personally.

Keep a checklist of questions so you can be sure to ask the same ones at each campus you visit. While you will certainly ask many questions of the college admissions staff, be sure to ask questions of student guides who may accompany you on tours (they will give you information from the student point-of-view). Keep a folder for each college in which you are interested for review later. Print a copy of HESC's College Comparison Chart and bring it with you as you visit colleges and college fairs.

Financial Aid

• What scholarships and aid are available from this college?
• What applications and documents are required to apply for campus scholarships and financial aid?
• What is the deadline for financial aid and scholarship applications?
• What is the total cost of attendance at this college?
• What was the total cost of attendance last year; what is it expected to be next year?
• If I qualify for Work-Study aid, what jobs are available?

Admissions

• What are the admission requirements?
• Which standardized tests are required?
• What applications and documents are required to apply for admission?
• What is the deadline for admission applications?
• What is the preferred method of application – by paper or online application?
• Is there an application fee? Can it be waived if I can’t afford it?
• Are there any additional lab, computer or studio fees?
• How long should I expect to wait for an answer once I submit my application and documentation?

Academic

• What type of academic calendar does the college have? What is the difference between a semester, trimester and a quarter term?
• Who will teach my courses – professors or teaching assistants?
• What is the faculty to student ratio?
• How accessible are faculty to students? Do most have regular office hours?
• What is the average class size?
• Who will be my academic advisor?
• What academic support services are available? Are there any additional fees for them?
• When must I choose a major?
• Can I finish my bachelor’s degree in four years?
• Will I need to buy my own computer? What kind should I buy?
• Are there computer labs, printing and copying services available? Are they readily accessible?
• Are there common computer labs available in the residence halls?
• What is the library like? What hours is it open?
• How much should I expect to spend on textbooks and other supplies?
• How many freshmen return for their sophomore year?
• How many graduates get a job in their chosen field?
• Do you offer career or employment placement services?

Residential Life

• What are the living arrangements on campus? Dorms, apartments, off-campus?
• Do you guarantee housing all four years? If not, what are my options?
• Will I live alone or with a roommate?
• Will I get to select my own roommate?
• What is the deadline to secure student housing?
• Are the residence halls co-ed?
• Where are the dining halls? What hours are they open?
• What meal plans are available?
• What appliances am I allowed to bring?
• Is there cable TV available in the dorms?
• Is the campus computer network available in the rooms?
• Is the campus set up for wireless access?
• Where will I do my laundry? Are there enough washers and dryers for all the students living in the dorm?
• Can I bring a car to campus? If so, will I have to pay extra fees for parking? Will I be able to park close to my dorm or apartment?
• Is there adequate bus transportation around campus and into town?
• May I bring a bike to campus? Where can I park it? Will it be secure?
• What is the crime rate on campus? What is the crime rate in local the town/city?
• Do you have campus security or police?
• Are the residence halls locked at all times?
• Where do I go if I get sick? Is there a pharmacy on campus?
• Do I need to buy special health insurance or is my parent’s or my own health insurance plan enough?

Student Life

• What clubs and special interest groups are available?
• Are there intramural and club sports available?
• Are there fraternities and sororities available? How important is Greek Life to the campus?
• Are there any programs to help students adjust to campus life?
• What’s it like on campus during the weekends?
• Are there jobs available on campus or in the local community?
• How diverse is the student body?
• Where do most students come from – around the region, state, country, international?
• Is there a shopping mall nearby?
• What is the surrounding community like? Is it safe?
• Is there a strong school spirit?
• Is there a campus newspaper, TV, and radio station?
• Are there places of worship on campus or in the community?

Athletics

If you are planning to participate in varsity sports, there are very important questions you will need to ask the coach and management staff during your interviews. As you may know, there are great differences between NCAA Division I, II, and III athletics programs and the responsibilities that go with them. Detailed information about participating as a student-athlete can be found on the college or NCAA student-athlete Web site.

Other Considerations

If you are planning to specialize in performing or studio arts be sure to ask about studio or practice spaces and hours they are open; is there adequate locker space for your instrument or personal art supplies; are drafting or art tables supplied or will you need your own; if learning piano is a requirement for music majors, are there enough keyboards for each person in the class and do they look to be in good repair?

Check the computers and other technologies that you will use to be sure they are up-to-date. Take a tour of the library to check the condition of the books and other references.

When you have narrowed your choices to a few, ask to sit-in on a class or meet with an instructor or department chairperson, especially if you have already decided your intended major. Most admissions departments can accommodate your request if you ask in advance.

If you’re visiting while classes are in session, ask if you can eat in one of the dining halls to get an idea about the food taste and variety.

Take the time to read course descriptions, either online or in the printed catalog, and determine which are interesting, especially in the areas of your intended major. Ask yourself whether one college’s course offerings are more interesting to you than another’s. It may help you decide which college has an edge over another if you are having difficulty choosing.

The time and expense of attending college make it very important to choose your college wisely. Going on college visits and tours can become overwhelming, if you let it. A little research and preparation ahead of your visit can make the experience less stressful and more meaningful.

Suggested Web Sites

HESC	hesc.org
College Board	collegeboard.com
Mapping Your Future	mappingyourfuture.org
NCAA	ncaastudent.org

updated 4/13/2009