College Visit Guide: Questions to Ask & Things to Notice
Before You Go
A little prep makes the visit far more useful than just walking the tour route.
- Look up the school's profile in advance (size, location, majors offered, average class size) so you're not spending visit time on facts you could've Googled.
- Schedule the visit for a day when classes are in session, not during finals, breaks, or summer — sitting in on a real day tells you far more than an empty campus.
- If possible, book an admissions interview, a class visit (sit in on a real lecture in an area of interest), and time with the department for an intended major, not just the general tour.
- Check if an overnight stay with a current student is offered — it's one of the best ways to see real campus life.
- Make a short list of "must-see" buildings (dorms, dining hall, library, athletic facilities, the academic building for the intended major) in case the official tour skips them.
Questions for the Admissions Tour Guide / Office
- What do students complain about most? What would you change about this school if you could?
- What's a typical Friday night like on campus?
- How easy is it to switch majors or add a double major if interests change?
- What's the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year, and why do students who leave usually leave?
- How accessible are professors outside of class? Do intro classes get taught by professors or mostly TAs?
- What support exists for first-year students (advising, tutoring, writing centers)?
- How does registration for popular classes work — do underclassmen often get locked out?
- What's the school's relationship like with the surrounding town or city?
Questions About Academics & the Intended Major
- Could I sit in on an intro-level class in your intended major?
- What kind of research, internship, or co-op opportunities do undergrads in this department typically get, and how early can they start?
- What does a typical course load and schedule look like for a sophomore in this major?
- How many students are usually in upper-level classes in this department?
- What career paths or grad programs do recent graduates from this major usually go into?
- Is study abroad common in this major, and does it cause delays in graduating on time?
Questions for Current Students (Ask More Than One!)
- Knowing what you know now, would you choose this school again?
- How easy is it to make friends outside your dorm or major?
- Where do students actually study? Is the library always packed?
- What do you wish you'd known before coming here?
- How's the food, honestly? (Ask multiple people — one bad meal isn't a pattern.)
- Do you feel safe walking around campus at night?
- What's something about this school that surprised you, good or bad?