What to Ask a College Admissions Officer
-by Mimi Rothschild
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the quality of curriculum, and the subsequent high level of intelligence and abilities that our children end up with as a result. More than likely your students will be highly qualified for admission to an excellent, maybe even elite, college. Of course, these schools are not easy to get into, so you need to arm yourself and your future graduate with the right questions to ask when sitting down with the admissions officer at the school of his or her preference.
The thing to remember is that college admissions officers field hundreds, maybe thousands, of questions from potential students and their families each year. You don’t want to waste your time or theirs. Being prepared with a list of thoughtful, relevant questions will likely surprise and impress the weary college rep and hopefully help to keep your child at the top of his or her memory when it comes to decision time.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- What do you want students to know about this school?
- What kinds of students are you looking for?
- How is your enrollment changing?
- How do some students end up falling short of your expectations?
- Which types of students succeed here?
- How would you suggest a potential student prepare for your school?
- What is your school’s ultimate educational goal?
Of course, you will probably have other specific questions that you want answered, but be sure to phrase them intelligently and briefly. Avoid asking vague or general questions such as:
- What is the deadline for enrollment?
- How many students are enrolled here?
- What is the average class size?
- What are your most popular majors?
- When can we take a tour?
- What kinds of extracurricular activities are offered?
Although these questions are legitimate, and you surely want to know these things prior to deciding whether a certain college is right for your child, the answers to all of these can most likely be found on the school’s website or catalog. If you take a little extra time to do your homework, you will be better able to use your time with the admissions officer to delve into more important topics.
And lastly, the most important thing to remember is to listen. After you ask each of your questions, take the time to really hear the answer. Pay attention to what the admissions officer has to say, and you will get a better idea of whether or not the school will be a good fit for your child, and vice versa. The better prepared you are, the more you will gain from the meeting, and the easier it will be to make an informed, intelligent decision.
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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.
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