Meeting with College Professors

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My son met with at least one professor at each school we visited. My husband and I waited in lounges or found benches in hallways while he spoke with these individuals. I think these conversations were the highlights of his visits, as they gave him a feel for what the faculty with whom he'd actually be studying (his intended major is a pretty small one in each of the schools) would be like in each place. In two instances the professors sought us out at the end of their meetings to say nice things about our son, which was an added bonus. Not only was it really nice for us to hear that these professors were impressed by our son, but it also provided validation for him that it made sense to apply to these very selective schools whether or not he ends up being accepted.

[The Mom]

Back to OP original query, S and I are visiting 2 colleges over spring break and the visits are individual visits, not group tours. So, I will be along for the tour, dept visit, coach meeting, etc, but will be in the background, hoping S asks all the questions.

We did a dry run to a local school last week, and hopefully S learned what he should ask, when to follow w/additional questions etc. Dry run was pretty quiet, S just listened, didn't say much. But that was expected, and why I wanted to do a dry run first before spending $$ traveling.

[astrophysicsmom]

This may have already been mentioned, but students should have an actual list of questions to ask. That way, if they "freeze" during the interview (I hate those awkward silences), they cancome up with a question easily (without mom having to feed ideas and embarrass them to death NOT that it would happen to any CC moms' kids!

[starbright]

I'm a professor also. In the past, I've participating in giving "mini-lectures" to visiting students and their families (arranged by the school) but also, if I have time, I'm happy to meet with students. I think many of my colleagues (at any of the universities I've taught at) would welcome meeting students. Even if you don't have an indirect relationship to one, its possible to look them up on the web and send them an email.

I'd be happy to meet a whole family, and in some ways given its so unusual, it might be fun and interesting. Though at the same time, being unusual, it might be considered odd/awkward by some.

I think the conversation I'd have with a student alone vs. with their parents in tow would be entirely different one so maybe you should think about what you'd like to get out of such a meeting and decide that way.

As for questions, consider putting that task to your child- have them generate some questions (the question generation is as useful as the answers themselves).

Some things I might want my child to ask a prof are things like:

How would my experience be different here, than say school X?
What do most students do after graduating with a major in Y?
What's the difference between major X and major Y and how should I decide which one might be best for me?
Besides the classroom, when might undergrads get a chance to interact with the profs?
Do undergrads ever get to do research in your department?
Do students get internships?
Who are some of the employers who recruit on campus?
Who tends to teach the intro undergrad courses here (e.g. sessionals, graduate students, or full time faculty)?
What do you think students like most about X? Or least about X?
How would you describe the undergraduates here?
I want to major in X or go to the best school for Y, what advice would you give me?
Any recommendations on other things I should be asking schools?
Where else should I look on this campus to learn more about it?

[mom in virginia]

Wonderful suggestions--thank you very much.

[historymom]

mom in va said "I'm not sure about why Harvey Mudd didn't make his list. I think it's party that they don't have grad programs in CompSci and maybe because it's considered more liberal art-ish in which case he can be here at UVA (if he gets in). "

I confess that I haven't read the entire thread and someone else may have already said this but Harvey Mudd is hard core science/math. Yes they require their grads to take a broad range of classes but my goodness if you look at the core science and math requirements it makes your head spin. I would encourage him to visit and talk with someone there. If he isn't interested after the visit so be it but it absolutely a fabulous school and being a part of the consortium gives it that much more of a shine.

[mom in virginia]

Yes, thanks, I was corrected on that as you suspected!

[RacinReaver]

If he knows exactly which program he wants to apply to, you could also try asking the department for a personalized student tour. I used to give them for my department when I was an undergrad. I got keys to a couple of labs (most of which I had worked in) and would give the prospective HS student and their parents a tour around our department's facilities. I think they found it a lot easier to ask questions and were able to get more specific answers than they'd be able to get out of a tour guide from the admissions office.

(If you do do this, please buy said student lunch. 90% of families did this for me and it gave really good conversation time for me with the family since I wasn't shuttling them around all of our buildings. One even sent me a box of cookies a month later when their kid decided to go to my school!)

[nngmm]

mom in virginia,

Harvey Mudd is extremely well known and highly regarded in academic circles - I am pretty sure more of it's graduates pursue Phd than any other school on your son's list. And it is a super-techi place (though liberal arts education is easily available through Pomona, etc.)

It's not for everyone - my son did not want to apply there either. But the reasons you've listed are not the right ones (except for the lack of graduate program - but most students go to a different school for grad school anyway...)

[mom in virginia]

Neat idea--RacinReaver--I didn't know students did that, we'll see if that's an option and/or ask about it if it seems appropriate--thanks.

Yes, got it about Harvey Mudd, nngmm--I obviously didn't know much about the school!

[CountingDown]

Another suggestion that we took to heart after reading it here -- go eat in the student cafeteria. Lots of folks have said that people love to talk to prospies, and one can get a gut-level (pun intended) feeling about that part of the college experience.

[Karen Colleges]

I was going to chime in a vote for Harvey Mudd, and decided, no, let the kids who have researched Mudd have a better opportunity to get in.

[mom in virginia]

right--plus I actually want my son closer to home, so I don't need to add more CA schools! Thanks, tho, now I've become a believer in Mudd!!

[mathmom]

Mathmom--what did you all think, comparing the 3, and where did yours decide to go?

Mathson pronounced them all fine, but both he and his younger brother enjoyed Caltech the most. They liked the honor code, the pranks, the fact that there were no multiple choice tests and the pizza. (Best lunch food of any campus I've been to - I had grilled salmon made to order.) I thought Mathson would have fit right in there. I thought for out-of-state Berkeley was not worth it. Too many big classes, too many impacted majors, no guaranteed housing past freshman year. I didn't see my son as being ready for that kind of independence. I liked it though. Might be better for grad school. I loathed Stanford. Younger son hated it too. It just seems to country-clubby to me, and too separated from the town. That's my prejudice though - Mathson did apply and it would probably have been his second or third choice if he'd been accepted. (MIT was his first choice - he didn't get in there either.) In the end he was choosing between Harvard and Carnegie Mellon - and Carnegie Mellon's computer science department completely wowed him over. They've got some incredibly charismatic professors who do the presentations, and because they are a stand alone school - they do those presentations - unlike most of the other schools we visited. He's very happy there.

[mom in virginia]

Great to know, thanks very much. CM and MIT are on my son's list, too, with CM as more realistic. Very glad to hear yours is happy there.