Filling out applications and going on college tours can be a stressful and exhausting task. Sitting down for an information session can be nerve-wracking, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when everything from admissions requirements to unique academic opportunities are being presented all at once. But don’t worry! With proper preparation, it’s easy to ask the right questions and know what to look for. These presentations are designed to outline the basics, and if you have specific questions or concerns, make sure that you make a note of it beforehand. Keep questions like these in mind:
- What is the average GPA of students entering the college? Does it take weighted or unweighted or both? What about SAT and/or ACT scores?
- Does the college require both ACT and SAT scores in applications, or just the scores of one of them?
- Does the college require SAT Subject Tests? If so, how many?
- How many teacher recommendations does the college ask for?
- Does the school place more focus on essays or grades in the application process?
Look out for the information guide to tell you that the college gives a holistic review of your transcript, common application, essay, teacher recommendations and SAT/ACT scores. This means that the college considers your application as a cohesive whole, rather than as series of boxes to be checked.
If the college you’re touring says that it does consider every aspect of your application when reviewing you as a candidate, make sure to fill up your brag sheet! Your brag sheet is attached to the “activities” portion 
of your common application, and tells the college about all of your extracurricular activities while also showing the college how you like to spend your free time. This helps admissions see you as a complete person rather than just another transcript.
An important part of a holistically considered college application is your essay, and some colleges require multiple essays. It’s a chance for you to express yourself and demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate. You’ll most likely have a primary essay that’s applicable across the board to all the colleges you’re applying to. Additional essays that appeal to each specific college are encouraged, as well as answers to whatever specific prompt an institution may give you. If a college requires multiple essays, do a little research and ask questions about which essay is looked at the most when your application is reviewed.
It also helps to research which essay prompts the specific college you’re touring has given students in past years so you can go into your information session prepared. Knowing about the admissions process and institution itself not only helps you to be prepared and make an informed decision, but also can make a good first impression when tour guides or admissions officials ask questions to your group. By being a prominent and engaged figure during your tour, you might impress some of the right people while helping put a face to a name for the people who will eventually be deciding your admission status.
While humanizing yourself and making sure to show your strengths as a complete candidate is important, another question to keep in mind during the information session is whether or not the college you’re looking at does superscoring with your SAT and ACT scores. “Superscoring” is when the college takes your best math and verbal scores from the different SATs or ACTs that you took and puts them together to create your highest possible SAT or ACT score.
Keep in mind, the application process isn’t just about you looking good to the college. It’s also about finding a college that meets your needs as a student and young adult. Consider academic opportunities and extracurricular offerings at each college you’re applying to, and consider the following:
- Does the college give you the freedom to switch your major with relative ease?
- What field does the college you’re looking at specialize in, if any? Look for professional schools and multiple fields of study within those programs to fully explore your options.
- What are the entry (and graduation) requirements of the programs you’re interested in?
- Are help desks and counselors readily available to help you plan your path towards a degree in your field of study?
- Does the college have organized and accredited programs that align with your interests? For example, if you want to be a liberal arts major, research where the college ranks nationally in your field of interest and how multiple courses of study may be combined.
- Do certain schools and courses of study require special applications? Some business and professional schools require an internal application once you’ve been enrolled at the university for a certain time. Ask if there is a separate process for these schools so that you aren’t blindsided by an application you forgot to fill out.
- Does the college offer double majors and/or double minors?
When applying to a college, try to visualize all four years at the University – not just your freshman year. Look for the processes that help juniors find internships and seniors find jobs, investigate how the college helps students find careers in the fields they’re interested in. 
Universities often have connections to employers, both local and otherwise, and sometimes companies will reserve internships specifically for students from a certain school.
Financial aid opportunities will be touched on during your information session, and it’s important to keep in mind not just the basic qualifications for different forms of financial aid, but the percentage of students that receive financial aid. Keep your expectations reasonable, and avoid taking on more loans than you have to.
Do research and ask questions about whether the college offers scholarships to students who want to study specific fields. If you have a course of study or future profession in mind, it could literally pay to pick the right school. For example, an Educational Field of Teaching Fellow scholarship can help you fund your education if you want to become a teacher. If you’re interested in a STEM field, there may be programs that encourage a professional route you may have not considered.
Scholarships and grants, both private and public, can be a crucial resource. Consult your information guide for scholarships specific to the university, such as the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia or the Morehead-Cain scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
After the information session, you can choose to go on the walking tour of the campus with a tour guide. During this time you may be immersed in your potential college future and intimidated by the grand architectural designs, the weather of the town and the smell of the trees may distract you, but try to keep your eye on the prize. You’re touring the grounds to find out if this is the place most suited to you. Some things to keep in mind at the beginning of the walking tour are
- Does the Campus give you a pleasant/safe vibe? Do you see yourself comfortably walking to class through this campus?
- Is the area around campus student-friendly? Are there local businesses that encourage student customers, quiet spots to study and work?
- Is the campus fairly spread out, or are buildings relatively close together?
- Will you need or want a bicycle or other alternate form of transportation?
- Will navigating the campus be difficult in certain weather?
If you don’t have the opportunity or desire to be part of a division sports team in college but you still want to participate in sports, or just stay in shape while studying, ask if the college has club or intramural sports. These clubs make it so you can still participate in physical activities that you enjoy doing without making a significant commitment.
The walking tour is also the best time to ask about Greek life. Depending on the college, you’ll have a wealth of Greek options to consider. It’s a good idea to seek out students who are actively involved in the campus Greek community to hear their personal experiences. Different organizations have different focuses in everything from professional connections to community service, so don’t be afraid to get all the information you can! You’ll need to be chosen by the specific Greek community based on a number of factors, including your GPA and extracurricular activities.
Most students live on-campus for their first two years at least, so asking questions about housing options is a great idea to get yourself familiar with how, and where, you’ll be living.
- How easy is the application process when applying for on-campus housing?
- Are you able to switch roommates? What is the process and paperwork like?
- Are freshmen required to live on-campus? What about sophomores?
- Do they let you live on-campus all four years of college?
- What are your off-campus housing options? Are there official university apartments, private housing, or both? What are the distances to campus?
Your tour guide will most likely talk about campus safety. Most colleges have something similar to a system called “Blue Light Safety.” The Blue Light Safety feature is a system of poles spread across the campus, each with a huge red button on it. You’re able to press the button
if you feel unsafe in any way. After pressing the button, on-campus police will be arrive within 35 to 60 seconds and will escort you to the place you need to go, no questions asked. Some colleges also have “safety vans” with drivers chosen by the university. These vans take students who don’t have a ride or are unable to drive and take them back to their dorms.
Last, but certainly not least, are the more sensitive issues that walking tours may (or may not) cover. Test the waters of the school to make sure that the religion to social activity ratio is the right fit for you. Also when it comes to gender, keep a close eye on gender segregation at the colleges you’re applying to. Approach gender bias at the college you’re touring with concern, just so you know that the college is a good fit for your comfort zone. If you want co-ed dorms, you should ask if that’s available. If you want gender segregated dorm buildings, ask if the college offers that kind of housing. Are the social activities gender intermingled or segregated? Issues like this can make or break your college decision.
I hope this condensed version of the college tour experience helps you out! Just remember to relax and soak in the campuses you visit. You’re going to do great!
