Blog post written by Hunter Amo
Now that college admission season is right around the corner, it’s time to start touring universities and thinking about what qualities you want your dream school to have. While every campus tour covers the basics, it’s important to ask thoughtful questions that can’t be answered by college websites or an AI overview.
Every prospective student has different values and priorities when it comes to choosing a college. You may be curious about campus life, academics, career preparation, research opportunities, student support, or something else entirely. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve organized a list of questions by topic so you can get a better understanding of what life at UM-Dearborn or any university is really like.
Academics & Research
- How easy is it to get involved in research opportunities?
- Are first-year students allowed to participate in research?
- How much reading and writing do first-year students do?
- How easy is it to contact professors outside of class?
- How large are introductory classes compared to upper-level courses?
- What are the most popular majors?
- Is it common to double-major or have minors?
- What opportunities are there for hands-on learning, such as internships, co-ops, or clinical experiences?
- How easy is it to change majors if I discover a new interest?
- Are there opportunities to study abroad or participate in faculty-led travel programs?
- What if I don’t know what I want to major in?
- Is there an Honors Program at UM-Dearborn?
The student experience
- What is the student body like?
- Is it easy to make friends?
- Do people tend to hang out on campus after class, or do they drive home?
- What does the university do to foster community on a commuter campus?
- Is working on campus rewarding?
- What does a typical day on campus look like?
- Are there any university traditions?
- How do I get a job on campus?
- What was the transition from high school to college like?
- How can I, as a transfer student, get involved on campus?
Support Services
- How accessible is tutoring and academic support?
- What mental health resources are available?
- Are professors understanding of life getting in the way?
- What’s the advising experience like?
- How easy is it to register for classes?
- Can I get help with finding internships, building resumes, and other career-related work?
- How does the disability office handle accommodations and accessibility concerns?
- What support exists for students who are undecided about their major?
- How does the university help students who are struggling academically?
- Are there peer mentoring programs for new students?
Campus life
- How is the food on and off campus?
- Is access to the wellness center free?
- What clubs are most active?
- What are the busiest times on campus?
- What campus events have the biggest turnout?
- What are the best places to hang out or study on campus?
- What is parking like on campus? Is it easy to find, and do you have to pay for parking?
- What do students do when they have long breaks between classes?
- What makes the experience at a commuter campus unique?
These questions are just a jumping-off point. Feel free to ask your own questions, especially ones that reflect your college preferences and goals. The more information you gather on tour day, the easier it will be to choose a school that feels like home!