What to Ask at a College Fair: Questions for Reps

October 13, 2022

Knowing what questions to ask at a college fair can make or break your time in the college search. When speaking with representatives, you’ll want to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities to ask questions you can’t find answers to elsewhere.

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This article will list some ideas for good questions to ask at college fairs as well as some questions you might not want to ask.

General Questions for College Representatives

These questions are perfect to ask when learning general information about a school and determining whether or not it is a good fit. Consider asking these questions to narrow down your choice.

Questions About Admissions

What kinds of students are not a good fit for your college? What makes a great candidate?
What criteria do admissions officers value the most when making decisions about applicants? Do they solely value numbers and stats? Or do extracurriculars matter as well?
How can a prospective student engage with the admissions office (through visits, social media, information sessions, etc.)?

Questions About Academics

What are the most popular majors?
Can you tell me more about the ______ program/department?
How’s the workload? What types of resources are available to students?
Does the major selected during the application process affect admissions probability? Are there some majors that are more competitive than others?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of the average class size?
How can students communicate with professors outside of class? What is the relationship like between students and faculty?

Questions About Campus Life, Clubs, and Organizations

What do students enjoy the most about your school? What feedback do you hear from students?
How would you describe the student body?
Do most students reside on or off campus? What are the most popular housing options?
Where do students gather or hang out on campus?
What do students typically do on weekends?
What’s your favorite school tradition?
How would you describe the town/city/area surrounding the campus? What do you enjoy about it?
Do most students eat in the dining halls? Do they enjoy the campus food?
What safety measures are in place on campus?
What are the dorms like? Are there activities to meet other students in the residence halls?
Is there a big athletic culture? What does a game day look like?
What’s the process like for students to start a club or organization? What assistance is available?

Questions About Resources

What financial aid programs does your college offer? Are there any major-specific scholarships or grants? How common is it to receive financial aid, grants, or scholarships?
What is the career center like? Can they help with job placements after graduation?
Are there major-specific internships available? (can ask about your specific major)
What are the campus facilities like? The library? The gym/fitness center?
How extensive is the alumni network?

Christian College-Specific Questions

What presence does faith have in classes and around campus? How connected is spiritual life to curriculum?
What makes this school a Christian college? Are you affiliated with a certain denomination? How many students come from that denomination?
What resources are available to support my spiritual growth? (Mentorships, Bible Studies, Small Groups, etc.)
What involvement, if any, do students, faculty, and staff have with local churches and organizations?
Are there any ministry opportunities?
Do you accept students of all denominations?

Questions to Avoid

What’s ___ major like?
Did you attend this school?
What are my chances of getting into your school?
Is my GPA high enough to get in?
Should I retake the SAT or ACT?
Any other questions about specific personal details, admissions probability or major details that a campus representative would not have access to (course availability, etc.).

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So there you have it! Ask these questions during college fairs to learn more about your schools of interest. Check out this article for more information on preparing for a college fair.