In the Spring, I welcomed my first guest blogger and received a lot of positive feedback. Naturally, I decided to add a second guest post. This post is hosted by SPI Study Abroad so make sure to check out their site which I included at the bottom! Hope you enjoy this information and I welcome your feedback!!
Top 5
Questions to Ask On Your College Admissions Visit
Aside from choosing your future spouse or accepting your first
job (the kind that comes with a salary and benefits,
rather than an apron and a hair
net!), selecting the right college remains one of the most important choices in
your life – and trust us, we know how overwhelming this whole
process can be! There are a few things you can do to help make the whole thing
a lot easier on yourself, though – namely, learning to ask the right questions on an admissions
visit:
Finances and Financial Aid
These days, a college education is one
heck of a substantial investment. A recent study by the College Board reported
that a “moderate” in-state, public college for the year 2014-2015 would average
about $23,410; a private
institution, $46,272. Whew! This definitely isn’t chump change, to say the
least. Understandably, today’s college graduates are saddled with an average of
$30,000 of debt upon graduation. Being smart about what you and your family can
afford is a huge part of the college financial equation. And with multiple
options for financial aid, it can be difficult to narrow the topic to just one
question – you’ll undoubtedly want to ask about loans, grants, scholarships,
work-study programs, and aid packages. But one key question not to be missed
is: What is the approximate amount of debt that
graduates leave with, and how long does it take them, on average, to pay it
back? Understanding
the financial risk involved at any given institution will really help you
narrow your options down.
Residential Life
Surviving and succeeding during your first semester has as much to do with your living
situation as it does with acing your final exams. If you’re a student who
participated on a high school
summer exchange program or long-term summer camp, you likely know what it takes to live on your own
for an extended period of time. But for those who haven’t had any high school study abroad or camp-like experiences, living apart from your family for the first time can feel
daunting. This is why it’s important to ask questions about residential life –
you’ll be able to get a better feel for what your life on campus would really look like. Simple questions
such as, “How many triple rooms
does your school currently have?” will clue you in to potentially cramped living quarters. A
question like, “What is the percentage of students who stick around each
weekend?” will tell you about the availability and quality
of recreational programs on campus. But one question hits the mark, and is best directed to a current
student or recent alumnus: Tell me about your freshmen experience in a
college dorm – what was the biggest challenge, and what was the biggest reward?
Outside Opportunities
Most institutions now offer several opportunities for learning
outside the classroom – these experiences help deepen student understanding of
a particular area of study. For instance, students interested in studying
Spanish ideally should look for schools that have sister institutions in
Spanish-speaking countries (hello, study abroad for the same cost as attending
your chosen university!). Other areas of enrichment may include internships,
service opportunities, or research studies. These opportunities really help indicate the kind of
relationships the university has with their community, business partners, and
experts in the field. One good statement when looking into an institution’s
offerings is: Name the types of outside learning opportunities
provided, and tell me about their requirements.
Academics and Support
Colleges are now facing mounting pressure to produce graduates
prepared for today’s competitive global marketplace. This is why it’s so
important for incoming freshmen to get a strong sense of how academically
rigorous (and academically supportive!) a school is.
When meeting with admissions staff, consider these two
questions: What is it like to study (a specific major) at your university? You’ll want to press a little bit
here, and ask for specifics. Are chemistry majors able to receive grant funding
for specialized research? Can engineers participate in internships as freshmen?
Another important question to ask admissions officers is: What percentages of graduates from here get jobs in
their related fields upon
graduation? Some schools boast of
high job-placement rates; however, this statistic is often misleading if
students end up in a job unrelated to their area of study.
About the
Author: Founded in
1996, SPI Study
Abroad offers high school study abroad programs for college credit in Spain, France, Italy,
Costa Rica and China. SPI’s interactive language immersion programs combine
inspiring global leadership experiences, volunteer service projects, and
exciting travel excursions where language and culture truly come to life!
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