JLV College Counseling
There is a lot that goes into finding the college that is a good fit for you. The college brochures and websites are a start, but students need to dig a little deeper to ensure all of their questions are answered. College admissions professionals can answer questions regarding facts about the institution, but current students can share information about the experience on campus as a student.
Current students can be found in a few places. If you visit the college campus and take a campus tour, the tour guide will probably be a student at the institution. The tour guide is a great start, but students should keep in mind that the tour guide has been trained, and possibly employed, by the college. Therefore, prospective students may want to seek out other students while on campus. If you have not been able to visit the college yet, check with your school counselor to see if they know of any students who have attended the institution. Many admissions offices have current student blogs and forums you can turn to so that you can ask your questions. And, lastly, students can always go to social media and ask questions on social media sites about the college.
Here are 30 questions you may want to consider asking current students as you are researching colleges:
- Why did you choose the college?
- Are you happy being a student at the college?
- If you could go back, would you choose this college again?
- What is your favorite thing about the school?
- What don’t you like about the school?
- Is there anything you learned about the school only after you started classes that you wish you would have known before committing?
- Do you feel challenged in your coursework?
- How long will it take you to graduate? Why?
- How approachable are the professors? College staff? The college president?
- What is dorm life like?
- What do you do on the weekend?
- Do students usually stay on campus on the weekends?
- What is your favorite place on campus and why?
- How is the food? (Try the food, but if you’re visiting on a special visit day, the food may not be representative of regular school days)
- What other dining options are available on or around campus?
- Are the hours of campus facilities convenient for students (library, dining hall, fitness center, etc.)
- How is the surrounding community? Is it friendly to the college students?
- Is a car necessary?
- How is public transportation near campus?
- Are there any school traditions?
- Do students have a voice in the university?
- How would you describe fellow students?
- What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
- What activities do you wish the college had but they do not at this time?
- Do you feel safe on campus?
- How is the WiFi on campus?
- Do you have any advice for admissions?
- Do you have any advice for financial aid?
- Were there any surprise costs you did not know about before committing to the college?
- Do you have any advice for applying for housing?
Current students are a great resource when it comes to learning more about a college. Go out of your comfort zone and meet current students because they can share what it is really like to be a student at the colleges you are considering.
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JLV College Counseling 
Hi, I’m in middle school and am very curious about going away to collage.
I’ve been looking up different SUNY schools but I feel like I would love to go to UAbany based on your and other people’s videos.
I feel like there are so many opportunities that are just waiting for me.
And I feel like transportation will be easy since my uncle lives upstate near Albany and owns a car.
Please tell me the most you can about your collage experience at UAlbany.
But also her are some questions I had that I hope you can answer and send back to me via email.=)
Do you get to stay at the school over the summer or do you have to go back home and come again next semester?
How does the dining room work?Do you have to pay for the food?
How well do you have to do in school to get in?
Do you ever have to move out of the dorm and get an apartment on campus to make room for the new freshman’s?
When do you recommend waking up to get ready for school?
What advice would you give me about anything?
I’m really hope you are able to answer all my questions.
I personally look up to people like you to help me as a teen get ready for my future.
I have so many more questions but I don’t really want to bother you with them(I feel like this is enough) but I don’t mind if you would answer them.=)
Please answer me at your own time (via email)
I appreciate it,yours truly
Y.Q(sorry I don’t feel that comfortable using my entire name,even though it’s in my email)THANK YOU🤩😁😄😃😀😎👩🎓👩🎓👩🎓👩🎓📚📚