The Top Questions that Prospective Students Should Ask
When you are applying for university or postgraduate programs, it can feel like you are constantly answering questions about yourself and your experience. However, you should also have a long list of questions for the university because while the university is assessing your aptitude, you are also assessing the university and deciding whether or not it is the right fit for you.
If this is your first time applying to a university program or you are a returning student and feel unsure about the best questions to ask, check out our list of top questions to ask and note down a few of them for reference when you are touring the university or speaking with an admissions counselor.
Academics
When deciding whether or not to attend a university program, you should ask a number of targeted questions about the university's academics. You should ask about the professors, the level of engagement and support between professors and students, tutoring and academic support programs, departmental reputations, typical course loads, class sizes, and how difficult it is to get into first-preference courses.
Depending on the type of program you are applying for, you might also want to ask about study abroad options, capstone projects, and learning services.
Campus and Student Life
When asking about campus and student life, you can ask what a day in the life of a typical student is like, what societies and clubs are active on campus, where the best study spots and coffee shops or cafés are, and how students typically spend their weekends.
If you are attending an online university with virtual classes, you can ask if there are any virtual events or mixers, if there are any social media groups for current students that you can join, and the organized activities held in the program.
Career Services
When you are speaking with student advisors or career advisors, you should ask about alumni networks, co-op and internship possibilities, and the student career support that is available at the university.
The academic and student advisors at Wilkes University are especially notable as they are trained to help students decide on a course load and prepare for the possible career paths that the degree opens up. The Wilkes University NP program is an example of a cutting-edge course that provides a multitude of different career paths.
Find the Right People to Speak With
No matter how good your questions are, if you do not ask the right people, the answers will not be terribly impactful or insightful. If you are speaking with current students, you may want to ask them more questions about campus life and the student experience rather than the academic or careers advisers.
Take your time when deciding which questions to ask and who you are going to ask — there is no rush and it is important for you to be able to develop a well-rounded understanding of the university and the student experience at that school.