10 Questions to Ask and Answer When Applying for College

Preparation Is Key When It Comes To Applying For College...  

The multiple steps of the college application process can make it difficult for students to know how to start and what they should prepare. Although an interview with an administrator is usually an optional step in the process, you should pursue the opportunity to sit down and talk with a college admissions officer.

Even if you’d prefer to not go through with an interview, consider scheduling a meeting on campus with an administrator. Through a face-to-face meeting, they will know you’re serious about attending their college and will have the chance to learn more about you. Of course, before you meet with a representative of your college, you’ll want to be ready with the right questions and answers.

Take some time during your application process to prepare the right college interview questions and answers before you meet with an administrator. This preparation will get you one step closer to showing your dream school that you’re an ideal candidate. If you have an interview or meeting coming up, keep reading to find out what to ask admissions officers.

What You’ll Find In This Article:

• The Importance of First Impressions
• The Top 5 Questions You Should Ask College Administrators
• The Top 5 Questions College Administrators Will Ask You
• At the End of the Questions and Answers

The Importance Of First Impressions

First impressions are lasting impressions. Just like a weak handshake can take someone months to forget, an interview with a student that doesn’t seem very interested can make or break an admissions decision for a college administrator. Interviews are a two-way street; in order for them to care, you have to care first.  

Preparing college interview questions will show the interviewer that you’re mature. Asking questions isn’t as easy as it sounds; you have the find a healthy balance between being bold and direct while staying respectful. Good questions will lead to an open flow of communication, allowing them to see the things about you that may not have been evident on your application.

Similarly, empty questions won’t show the college that you’re interested; it’s important that you ask the right questions. Don’t ask open-ended questions just for the sake of looking interested. Ask college admissions questions that you actually have, even if you already know the general answer. A college administrator will be able to give you more specific information, so there’s no harm in asking.

Knowing what to ask admissions officers will serve both you and your interviewer. These questions will help you stay focused and prepared throughout your application process and show your interviewers that you’re mature, comfortable in a conversation, and enthusiastic about being a candidate for their program.

The Top 5 Questions You Should Ask College Administrators

At the end of most interviews, college admission officers usually ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” and your answer should always be “Yes!” You’ll want to have 4-5 questions prepared that will keep your conversation going and allow the administrator to learn more about you.

It’s important to remember that most admission officers want you to ask them questions. They talk to thousands of students every year, asking the same questions often multiple times, just to see if that student would be a good fit for their college. It’s a nice change of pace for them to be asked some questions. They will appreciate your inquisitive nature and enjoy talking about their college in a different context.  

On average, the top college questions for students to ask usually revolve around their ideal student, financial aid opportunities, and career assistance.  

WHAT QUALITIES DOES YOUR COLLEGE LOOK FOR IN STUDENTS, AND HOW CAN I SHOWCASE THOSE IN MY APPLICATION?

Colleges receive thousands of applications every year, so making your application stand out is of the utmost importance. Ask about what they wish they could see more of in their batch of applications every year, and the distinct qualities they look for in applicants.  

Additionally, ask how to highlight any skills or activities that they may be looking for. A common mistake students make is down-playing certain activities or not explaining information in full detail. It’s important that you highlight things that tie into the college’s mission and vision; through this connection, they can easily see why you’d be a great addition to their student body.

WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF ATTENDING YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS DO YOU OFFER?

You can find the general information for how much a college costs simply by looking it up; however, the details are often harder to come by. Because of this, ask for a specific breakdown of costs for tuition, housing, books, dining plans, and any extra fees, like an activity or health fee.

By getting these specific numbers, you’ll know exactly how you need to prepare for paying for school. Also be sure to ask for all of their financial aid options, including scholarships and loans. You may be eligible for scholarships that you didn’t even know existed. All you have to do is ask!

Many colleges have scholarships for students who live in the same state as the college, or who are eligible based on grades and their school history. Ask if you would be eligible for any of these scholarships or special work-study programs.

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT STUDENTS AS THEY TRANSITION INTO THEIR CAREERS AFTER COLLEGE?

While colleges place a strong focus on students entering their school, not all of them place the same amount of emphasis on students when they graduate. Colleges function like a springboard that launches students into their careers after receiving their diploma. Make sure that your dream school will help you transition into the professional workplace effectively.

Be sure to ask about their career center, and ask them to provide you with any statistics that can help you understand their graduates’ success in the workplace. Ask specifically about the graduates who went through the program you’re considering, and if they had to take any extra measures like internships or summer jobs in order to succeed in their field.

It’s important that you know how the college helps their graduates begin their careers. If they offer plenty of assistance, then you know that you’ll be in good hands. However, if they don’t place a strong emphasis on helping their students find work, you’ll know that you need to prepare to make workplace connections on your own.

If your college isn’t planning on giving you an active networking base but you still want to be a student there, be prepared to seek out internships and network with other professionals on your own. The only way to prepare for this scenario is to ask about it before you decide to attend that college.

WHAT ARE THE BEST EVENTS TO ATTEND IF I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE’S CAMPUS LIFE?

One of the best ways to learn more about a college is to spend time on their campus. For advice on which events would be best for a prospective student to attend, reach out to an admissions counselor. They know which events will give you the best experience to learn about their campus culture.

You can either ask this question to an administrator during a face-to-face meeting, or you can send an email to the colleges’ admissions office.

WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT WOULD FIT BEST AT YOUR COLLEGE?

This question is the perfect way to find out if you’re a good fit for a college. By knowing the specifics of their ideal student profile, you can be honest with yourself and decide whether or not attending that college would be the best experience for you.

You may be surprised to find that when colleges are looking for their “ideal students,'' they're not looking for a perfect student. Too many students confuse the phrase “ideal student” with “perfect student.” Students often feel the need to present themselves as perfect on their application, and as a result they over-exaggerate or fabricate information in order to increase their chances of being accepted.

Instead, simply be straight-forward and ask the administrator exactly what kind of student they’re looking for for the next academic year. While the general “ideal student” profile rarely changes, the specific factors of who they’re looking for evolves every year due to the administration’s specific goal, fluctuating numbers on sports teams or student organizations, and general college strategies that have nothing to do with the quality of prospective students’ applications.

The Top 5 Questions College Administrators Will Ask You

In addition to planning the right questions, you’ll need to prepare to answer some questions too. Students often feel anxious about answering questions because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing or leaving important information out that could determine their admissions decision.  

In reality, answering the admissions officer’s questions is much simpler. The content of your answers are important, but so is your demeanor, attitude, and ability to be honest. If you’re blankly reading off of note cards to make sure you don’t leave anything out, they won’t get to see any parts of your personality.

That’s the whole point of scheduling a face-to-face interview anyway; for them to get to know who you are. If they wanted to know your school history and GPA, they would’ve looked on your application. If you simply prepare to answer their questions openly, honestly, and with positivity, that’s enough.

The top college questions that an administrator is likely to ask you will center on how you plan to grow, your passions and goals, and why you think you belong at their college.  

WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES AS A STUDENT, AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO IMPROVE?

This is a common question in job interviews, and if you don’t prepare an answer, it could be difficult to think of some weaknesses on the spot. Be honest, but don’t be too hard on yourself either. To answer this question, think about some of the classes you took that were tougher than usual or situations with other students that were difficult for you to overcome.

Maybe you could be a better communicator or a better leader, and that’s why you chose to go to this college. Follow up every weakness with how this particular college will help you overcome your weaknesses. This will show the admissions officer that you want to go to their college for the right reasons.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN [YOUR CHOSEN MAJOR]?

Be sure that you don’t answer this question with empty statistics. They already know how great their programs are; of course that’s why you want to study there. If you want to study Law at Harvard University, your reason should be more than “Because it’s Harvard,” because the administration is well aware of their reputation.

Be honest about why you chose your major. The reason can be as simple as “It was my favorite subject in high school and I was skilled at it” or “This major will prepare me well for my dream job”.

In your answers, try to leave out anything that has to do with money or fame. Try to keep your response focused on why you’re passionate about that field and how this college will help you grow your skills.  

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS?

This can be a tough question for students to answer, but this is actually a fun question because you can be practical and imaginative at the same time. Think about your wildest dreams and the practical steps you would need to take in order to reach that goal.

Let’s say, for example, that you think you’d like to be a magazine editor in New York City someday. You know that achieving that goal may take twenty years, so you say that in ten years, you’d like to be working for a magazine in New York City in some capacity.  

This explains why you want to study Journalism or Business; it will give you opportunities for targeted training and internships that could get you there.

Having an honest answer prepared for this question will show the admissions officer that you’re capable of dreaming big, creating long-term goals, and attending this college will help you achieve them.

WHAT ACTIVITIES DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN DURING HIGH SCHOOL?

Think about your extracurricular activities like sports, music, or theater, and in what capacity you were involved in these student groups. If the admission officer knows that you enjoyed school enough to join clubs and activity groups, then they know that you’re going to be an active student at their college too.

Don’t feel the need to list everything you were even slightly involved with, however. Only mention a handful of activities that were meaningful experiences for you. Also, be sure that you mention the activities where you were appointed a leader. Any kind of leadership experience is impressive and will help you in your interview.  

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS COLLEGE?

In order to answer this question truthfully without sounding over-confident, draw a line between who you are and what the school is hoping to accomplish with its students. For example, if a college is heavily focused on research, make sure you tell the admissions officer that in high school, you were motivated by research in all of your classes.

Highlight how you intend to use your skills and background to contribute to the college’s mission. This entails doing some research beforehand to learn about the college’s mission, vision, and values. Be very familiar with these because any student that fulfills the college’s mission is a good fit. Draw that connecting line between you and the college’s mission any chance you get.

At The End Of The Questions And Answers

Ultimately, asking the right questions will open up countless opportunities for you during the college application process. Through asking prepared and well-thought-out questions, you’re opening an active dialogue with your interviewer.

Of course, be prepared to answer any questions the admissions officer may ask you as well. The examples given above are the most common questions in interviews, but all you need to remember is the importance of honesty and positivity. By being open and honest, you’ll show the college administrator that you belong at their school, along with why you were drawn there in the first place.

Questions will help admission officers see you as mature and goal-oriented. Having answers prepared that are personal and not statistic-based will accomplish the goal of the interview: to get to know you better. So, don’t be afraid to show them who you are and get to know a little bit more about them as well. Fortunately, if you’re feeling stuck while preparing for your next college interview, we’re here to help! WeAdmit’s team of professional counselors are experienced with the ins and outs of interviews, and we’d love to help you prepare all the questions and answers you’ll need to impress college reps.

Preparation Is Key, So Let’s Get Ready!