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What to Ask at College Tours

As you get closer to high school graduation, it is a great idea to start scheduling in-person tours at your local colleges and top colleges of choice. Below are some great questions to ask during college tours!
What to Ask at College Tours - college tours
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1. If not already covered by the tour, ask to see the inside of some classrooms, labs, or studios.

If you have already decided on a college major, you can focus on the classrooms and labs in the relevant department to get a better feel for the particular structure. Even if you do not yet have a declared major, seeing some classrooms in person may give you a better sense of the course experience to expect at the college. For instance, are the majority of the classrooms set up in an auditorium style indicative of large class sizes? Or are they rather smaller rooms that indicate a smaller faculty-to-student ratio? Is there significant equipment that reveals a hands-on learning experience? Is inclusive accessibility considered in the classroom layout design? These are all some things to look for when viewing the classrooms for the first time. Some colleges will even allow prospective students to shadow a class during instruction time, which is a great opportunity to practice the student experience first hand.

2. If you are planning to live on campus, ask to see what the typical campus housing looks like.

Find out if the college offers community-style housing, apartment-style dorms, or other options. You can ask about the roommate selection process, meal options, residential expectations, and anything else that would help ensure you are comfortable in the campus setting.

3. Chances are that you will be doing a lot of studying on campus, so ask to see what the general on-campus study areas look like.

Maybe you like to study in quiet areas like a library, or maybe you are okay with calm but busier areas like a lounge or coffee shop. Find out what the campus has available and what relevant resources are offered, including printing stations, online databases, computer labs, writing centers, tutoring services, and more.

4. Ask if the college campus includes a prayer and meditation room.

Many students follow religions that require them to pray at certain times per day or on specific days. Or maybe you need a quiet place where you can meditate or reflect in peace. Most colleges now have one or more dedicated prayer and meditation rooms for students. If your college does not have one, ask what accommodations are available or what it would take to set one up.

5. While you’re on campus, be sure to visit the field house or any other fitness centers that the college has to offer.

If you are a student athlete, you will be spending a lot of time there for practice; and if not, you may still want to exercise and keep healthy during your academic career.

6. Find out what students do outside of class.

Obviously, you will be spending a lot of your student time attending classes and studying, but what else does the campus student life consist of? Is there a large body of student organizations? Are there any work study, study abroad, or research opportunities? Are there any local volunteering activities? Do students typically have a job alongside classes?

7. If your tour guide is a student at the college, you can ask them about their own particular student experience.

Ask them why they chose the college and what they like most about it. What are some of the most popular majors at the college? You can ask the student how they form connections on campus. What do the campus demographics look like? What do faculty-student relationships typically look like? What implementations does the college have in place to ensure campus safety? 


There is so much more that you can ask about related to academics, campus life, and more. Be sure to do some research beforehand though so that you aren’t asking for information that is readily available on the college website. Essentially, the tour is your opportunity to view the campus and interview campus members and find out whether or not the college may be a good fit for you, so it helps to be prepared. Good luck, and happy touring!

Authors

  • SWE Blog

    SWE Blog provides up-to-date information and news about the Society and how our members are making a difference every day. You’ll find stories about SWE members, engineering, technology, and other STEM-related topics.

  • Amar Dabaja

    Amar Dabaja is an Electrical Hardware Engineer at Veoneer, where she designs passive safety electronics for automotive applications. Amar graduated from Lawrence Technological University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

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