Making plans to apply to college is an exciting phase of your life, and it’s important to do plenty of research to ensure you choose the right school for you. Along with researching each school and their academics online, you can talk to college admissions counselors to get more perspectives and in-depth information.

College admissions counselors work with potential students to help them better understand the college experience and how higher education can fit into their lives. Speaking with a college admissions counselor can be beneficial, as they can explain the admissions process and give you more information about the degrees you might be interested in. Your counselor will also explain the on-campus and online support systems that are available to you as a student.

You may speak with an admissions counselor on the phone or during a campus visit. Before speaking with them, it can be helpful to develop a list of questions to ask about the colleges. These questions might be generic and broadly applicable, or they might be specifically applicable to the school or program.

Consider asking your college admissions counselor the following questions to gain a better understanding of the experience that awaits you.

1. What Is the Classroom Environment Like?

It is important to know the general size your classes will be and how they will be taught. Many students entering college for the first time are used to in-person classes. At colleges and universities, in-person classes may vary in size, depending on the course.

You may have a mix of lecture and discussion-based classes during any given semester. Often, introductory-level courses have a larger class size, while classes associated with your major typically have a smaller class size.

Some universities focus on teaching while others focus on research. It is important to ask your admissions counselor what the focus is at the universities you are considering. Another question to ask is whether there are opportunities for student research and other hands-on learning experiences.

Many universities do offer hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduates. These can range from resume building to robotics labs. Ask your admissions counselor what resources will be available to help you learn in different ways.

In addition to on-campus classes, many colleges offer a large number of their courses online. If you are looking for some flexibility in your schedule, ask your college admissions counselor what percentage of courses you can take online.

2. Which Student Support Services Does the School Offer?

Students can often benefit from student support resources, such as tutoring. Ask college admissions counselors about the student services that are available to support you. You may find that tutors, academic advisors and teaching assistants are readily available to support you academically, as well as counseling and other health services that can help you maintain a healthy mind and body during your transition to college.

One-on-one and small group peer tutoring are available through the Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE) to help you study, understand course content and prepare for exams. Writing support and success coaching are available for all undergraduate courses, while subject support is offered for select courses only.

3. What Kind of Financial Commitment Will I Need to Make?

While a college admissions counselor cannot answer all of your financial-related questions due to the private nature of family finances, they can inform you of the main costs associated with attending college and provide insight about financial aid and other scholarships. Ask them if they are able to provide you with an estimated budget sheet so you can compare schools side-by-side.

You can also ask about renewable scholarships, a form of long-term and recurrent funding. Instead of a one-time scholarship, you may be able to receive a certain amount of money every year during your degree. Each renewable scholarship comes with its own set of rules and requirements, so consult with your admissions counselor about the funding you may be eligible for and what guidelines are involved.

You may also wish to ask your admissions counselor for a financial estimate letter. This content provides prospective students with a transparent look at the cost to attend the college or university, scholarship aid they may be eligible for, estimated federal aid and an estimated remaining balance.

Remember that in order to be eligible for many forms of financial aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) each year that you attend school.

4. Are Career Services Available to Students?

One of the main reasons people go to college is to earn a degree that can lead to their desired career. Therefore, many colleges offer career coaching and other career services. Ask your college admissions counselor about job fairs, resume reviews and mock interview practices.

In addition, the college may offer on-campus employment opportunities or have connections with local employers. Consider whether you can work while you are in school.

5. What Do I Need to Know About My Academic Program and How Long It Will Take To Graduate?

If you already know what you would like to study, you could have a list of questions to ask college admissions counselors related to that program. Some questions may include:

• Lab or internship requirements
• Availability of online coursework
• Anticipated timeline for graduation
• Transfer credits
• Institutional and programmatic accreditation

You can also ask if your program of study requires secondary acceptance, meaning that once you are admitted into the university, you may also need to apply for your specific program. Some programs may have additional admission requirements. Many degree programs do not require secondary acceptance, but be sure to double-check with your admissions counselor what your application process would entail.

6. What Do I Need to Know About Applying?

Before or during the application process, you can ask your admissions counselor what might make your application stand out. They understand the processes involved in reviewing student applications and may be able to offer valuable insight.

For example, you might discover that the school values online portfolios or checks social media before admitting students. Additionally, consider asking about fees associated with applying or when you can expect your application to be reviewed.

7. What Are My Housing Options?

To ease that adjustment and build a sense of belonging, many colleges require first-year students to live on campus.^{(See disclaimer 1)} GCU does not require students to live on campus. Housing options may vary from dorms to apartments, and different price points are to be expected. Whether you plan to live on or off campus, you should know about your options and university housing policies.

8. What Activities Are Available at This University?

Personal growth can occur beyond the classroom. Clubs and campus organizations can provide students with additional opportunities to develop academically, spiritually, physically and beyond. Although it shouldn’t be the sole factor in making your enrollment decision, the selection of campus life activities available may be a contributing factor.

If you have a particular interest, ask if there is a club or team that supports that interest. The admissions counselor may be able to provide you with a list of available campus activities or clubs to aid you in your decision. GCU, for example, offers over 100 clubs and activities for interests ranging from professional associations to basic life skills.

At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, GCU hosts a club fair for students to be able to check out and sign up for our variety of clubs. From club sports to academics, it allows people to really take in their options and see what would be a good fit for them.

Some colleges or universities will also offer activities such as outreach programs and study abroad opportunities. Ask your admissions counselor about how you can support the community while attending the school. If you join an outreach group, you could become part of a caring and like-minded group of individuals who are dedicated to making a difference outside of their studies.

9. Is This School the Right Fit for Me?

A college admissions counselor can’t make your decision for you, but they can tell you which types of students tend to be the happiest and most successful in the school environment. In their line of work, they see students with various personalities and academic and personal interests, and they may be able to weigh in on whether the school appears to be a good fit for your needs.

If you think that a certain school may be a good match for you, you can ask your admissions counselor about visiting the campus. Many universities offer guided tours to help prospective students get a feel for the layout, campus culture, amenities and more. You may be able to meet other students and ask them about their favorite parts of their college experience.

GCU offers guided tours and Discover trips for prospective students to stay and tour the university. Whether you are out of state or not, you can ask your admissions counselor if you can visit to know if the campus feels like a good fit for you.

Preparing for college starts with asking the right people the right questions. Have in-depth conversations with the admissions counselors at each college and do your own extensive research so you can make the most informed decision for your future.

After connecting with a college admissions counselor, you’ll have plenty to reflect on. You should, however, take some time for the following steps:

1. Send a brief thank-you email to the admissions counselor to let them know you appreciate their time and insights.
2. If you’ve already submitted your application and the admissions counselor has requested additional documentation, send it as soon as possible.
3. Update your notes about your college search to reflect what you learned about the school.
4. Compare your notes about that college to the others you’re considering and think about your enrollment decision.

At Grand Canyon University, we’ve streamlined the process of applying for admission to make higher education more accessible. For undergraduate admissions, there is no essay required and no enrollment deposit required. Students may be eligible either by meeting GPA requirements or with qualifying test scores, in order to meet our admissions requirements.

GCU is pleased to connect qualifying students to robust financial aid opportunities, including scholarships and grants.

As a GCU student, you’ll have access to a wide range of student support resources and amenities. Choose from a diverse selection of bachelor’s degree programs across many different fields, and study online, on campus or in evening classes.