Best Questions to Ask Colleges
Strategic questions to ask colleges that help you evaluate academic programs, campus culture, and support services, so you can make an informed decision about your higher education.
1What makes this college unique, and how does it differentiate itself from other institutions?
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What makes this college unique, and how does it differentiate itself from other institutions?
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Why this works
Reveals the college's unique value while helping you understand what sets it apart and why it might be the right fit for you.
2What are the biggest opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Shows the college's support for student engagement while revealing what opportunities exist and how they encourage participation.
3How do you handle different learning styles and preferences, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different learning styles and preferences, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Reveals the college's learning approach while showing how they accommodate different styles and what support is available for diverse learners.
4What are the biggest challenges students face, and how do you support them?
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What are the biggest challenges students face, and how do you support them?
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Why this works
Shows the college's support approach while revealing what challenges exist and how they help students overcome them.
5What are the biggest opportunities for students to build relationships and network, and how do you foster this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to build relationships and network, and how do you foster this?
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Why this works
Reveals the networking focus while showing what strategies they use to build relationships and strengthen the student community.
6How do you handle different career goals and aspirations, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different career goals and aspirations, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Shows the career support approach while revealing how they accommodate different goals and what resources are available.
7What are the biggest opportunities for students to gain practical experience, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to gain practical experience, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the practical learning focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support hands-on experience.
8How do you handle different cultural and international perspectives, and what inclusion practices do you follow?
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How do you handle different cultural and international perspectives, and what inclusion practices do you follow?
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Why this works
Shows the diversity approach while revealing how they accommodate different backgrounds and what inclusion practices they follow.
9What are the biggest opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the leadership development focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support skill development.
10How do you handle different financial situations and needs, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different financial situations and needs, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Shows the financial support approach while revealing what assistance is available and how they accommodate different financial situations.
11What are the biggest opportunities for students to engage with faculty and research, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to engage with faculty and research, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the academic engagement focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support faculty interaction.
12How do you handle different academic interests and majors, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different academic interests and majors, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Shows the academic support approach while revealing how they accommodate different interests and what resources are available.
13What are the biggest opportunities for students to improve their communication and presentation skills, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to improve their communication and presentation skills, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the communication development focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support skill improvement.
14How do you handle different learning goals and objectives, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different learning goals and objectives, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Shows the goal support approach while revealing how they accommodate different objectives and what resources are available.
15What are the biggest opportunities for students to build their professional network, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to build their professional network, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the professional networking focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support network building.
16How do you handle different industry interests and career paths, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different industry interests and career paths, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Shows the industry support approach while revealing how they accommodate different interests and what resources are available.
17What are the biggest opportunities for students to improve their analytical and problem-solving skills, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to improve their analytical and problem-solving skills, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the analytical development focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support skill improvement.
18How do you handle different learning preferences and styles, and what support is available?
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How do you handle different learning preferences and styles, and what support is available?
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Why this works
Reveals the learning support approach while showing how they accommodate different preferences and what resources are available.
19What are the biggest opportunities for students to build their confidence and self-awareness, and how do you support this?
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What are the biggest opportunities for students to build their confidence and self-awareness, and how do you support this?
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Why this works
Reveals the personal development focus while showing what opportunities exist and how they support confidence building.
20What questions should I ask at my next visit, and how can I prepare for it?
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What questions should I ask at my next visit, and how can I prepare for it?
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Why this works
Provides guidance for future visits while helping you understand what to ask next and how to prepare for ongoing conversations.
Mastering College Evaluation Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Understanding of Higher Education
Demonstrate your knowledge of college life while asking about specific programs, support services, and student experiences.
Understand the Student Experience
Ask about the student experience, challenges, and support to assess if the college is right for you.
Ask About Development Opportunities
Inquire about learning opportunities, skill development, and career support to show your interest in growth.
Question Sequences
The College Explorer
The Development Focus
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Rankings
While rankings matter, also ask about student experience, support, and opportunities to ensure the college is right for you.
Don't Ignore the Student Experience
Ask about challenges, support, and opportunities to ensure you understand what the college offers and how it supports students.
Don't Skip the Development Questions
Ask about learning opportunities, skill development, and career support to show your interest in growth and development.