Questions To Ask Your College Recruiter

High school students spend a lot of time at our college directory finding the best college and university opportunities for their future. All too often, we hear how poorly a college interview can go just because a student is unprepared. Every school offers different experiences, different degree programs, and the quality of the education can vary. Even seemingly minor details like extracurricular activities and on-campus services can affect how comfortable and happy students are during their time at the university. Asking the right questions is the only way students know they have applied to the right places.

Ask About Changes

Visiting the campus and reviewing the website will tell students a lot about the schools that interest them, but it will not reveal everything. Asking questions about upcoming building projects, new courses they want to add, and what they plan to eliminate matters. Students can become disillusioned if they select a school due to the amenities, only to have them ended or changed before they graduate.

Question Class Sizes

The number of students per class can vary widely between schools. Some students feel ignored or unable to get help when universities have professors teaching overfilled lecture halls. Other students are fine without one-on-one assistance and would prefer to attend a heavily populated school. People with a preference will find a more suitable match for their educational needs if choosing one with the desired teacher-to-student ratio.

Know the Requirements

Know if a school only accepts students with a higher SAT score or specific GPAs. Students can waste a lot of time and lose an opportunity to attend another school if they spend their efforts applying when they do not qualify. Basic research on the school should make this information available and talk to the recruiters to see additional requirements.

Discover the Diversity

Diverse campuses offer a unique cultural experience and often have a more open-minded outlook than those who attract only one race, gender, or political ideology. As a result, students often benefit from access to a variety of people and lifestyles. In addition, diversity in the fields of study helps those unsure of what career they want to pursue.

What is Unique

Recruiters and admission boards want to know what makes students stand out from their peers, and the student should ask the same from the school. Know what each college can offer that no one else does. Some may have an extensive list of extracurricular activities, and some may have a nationally acclaimed theater program or athletic team. There are endless ways for a school to stand out, and how one chooses to do so can help students decide if this is the right place for them.

Check on Credits

Many high school students earn college credits before graduation. Make sure the effort applied in high school is not lost when choosing a university. If the school does not accept the earned credits, it may make sense to look elsewhere.

Learn the Cost

Know the cost of the tuition, dorm rooms, and meals. Other expenses can also become a consideration. Seemingly small things like parking fees, lab fees, and more can add up. What does the school offer to offset these expenses? Ask about work-study programs, on-campus and local job opportunities, as well as possible scholarships they offer.

Check on Activities

Clubs, sports teams, and school-sponsored events are a memorable part of the college experience. In addition, students access to enjoyable recreational opportunities is a way to forget about stress and meet new people. Always ask what each school has to offer to make sure the time outside of the classroom is as enjoyable as possible.

Research Student Opinions

Talk to recruiters about the qualities of the students that seem to have the most enjoyable experience at the school. Look at the reviews from students online to see their opinions of the school and the staff. Review social media pages and blogs to see the conversations between parents, students, or alumni. Look at the ratings given to the school by the state and federal education departments. The data available should include graduation rates, job placement rates after graduation, and overall ranking compared to other universities.

Review Career Planning

Students benefit from a variety of career planning programs. Schools that help students obtain internships have course advisors and aid with career planning decisions that can make finding the right path easier. Another question is how soon the students must declare a major and change the major after enrollment. Many people discover new opportunities once they become exposed to all a university has to offer. Statistics show that up to 80 percent of students change their major after enrollment, so every student should know what that decision will entail at their chosen school.

Finding the best college-student match requires information. Meeting with a college recruiter is the best time to get every question answered. Many students only focus on their answers to the questions asked by the recruiter. Prepare these answers, but also think of an equal number of questions for them.

About The Author

Trey McClaver works at CollegeFairsUSA.com to help match qualified high school students with colleges and universities that support their goals and ambitions.