FRA College Corner - Interviewing and Admissions Officer

Your Interview With a Campus Admissions Officer

Do not ask questions which are answered in the college catalog. Do your homework before meeting with the college representative. Also, be prepared when college representatives visit FRA. Most of these visits are announced in advance. If you are interested in a school, take a few minutes to glance through a catalog or brochure.

When you talk to an admissions counselor, you might ask the following questions:

Tell me about courses offered in my field of study. What is the job placement record among students in my major interest?
Are there opportunities to study abroad? How many students are involved in off-campus or foreign study? Are these programs popular?
At what point in my college career will I declare a major? How difficult is it to change majors?
What are the required courses I must take my freshman and sophomore years? Is there a foreign language requirement?
Tell me about dorm rooms: Are there freshman dorms? Is there a curfew? What types of dorm rooms are available? Are they air-conditioned? What percentage of students lives in university housing? How are roommates assigned? Is housing guaranteed for full-time students?
Do you have a May-mester or mini-mester or some other shortened semester situation? If so, what are the opportunities available during this time?
What types of academic scholarships are available? What honors programs are available?
Tell me about your intramural program.
If you are interested in the Greek system, find out what sororities and fraternities are on campus, when Rush is held, and the grade point average necessary to go through Rush.
What social activities are available outside of the fraternity system? How difficult is it to become involved in extracurricular activities such as publications, theater, music, special interest clubs, etc.? How major a commitment do they involve?
Are varsity athletic events, such as football and basketball games, available to the general student body?
How many of the top faculty teach undergraduates? How much of the teaching load is carried by graduate assistants? Is tutoring available from faculty? Are faculty generally available for consultation and help? Are many of the faculty involved in research? If so, are students involved in these research projects?
How large are classes for freshmen? How large are classes once I get into my major? Is my professor likely to know me by name?
Outside of room, board, tuition, and books, what routine expenses can I expect? How do I apply for financial aid?
What is the community like? What relationship exists between the town and the college? How would you describe the atmosphere/personality of the campus?
Do large numbers of students leave campus on the weekends?
What is the school’s policy on student use of drugs and alcohol? What type of problems do you have now? How safe is your campus? What provisions are made for students who must be out late at night?
Is there an advisory system?
What advice would you give to help me in making my college choice? When considering this college in comparison to other similar schools, what unique features should I consider?

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