Questions for the College Visit
Don’t Ask - What about hazing?
Answer in Advance - The Dean of Students Office takes hazing very seriously and all the fraternities and sororities know this. They know their will be harsh consequences and act accordingly.
Ask - Give me some examples of what would be considered hazing? Give me some examples of what would not be? What and when was the last hazing incident? What was the response? (Note as long as the individuals are not named it is not confidential - a fraternity made their pledges do this and was suspended which means… is acceptable).
Don’t Ask - What is the universities position on underage drinking?
Answer In Advance - The university takes the law very seriously and does not condone underage drinking. Students know that the Dean of Students takes this very seriously and behave appropriately or face the consequences.
Ask - Give me some examples of what would likely happens to an underage student caught drinking. (Do not accept it depends on the circumstances as an answer). What about good/self Samaritan policies?
Don’t Ask - What about sexual assault, date rape etc?
Answer in Advance - The university takes this very seriously, there are strict procedures in place and consequences are severe.
Ask - How does the university treat those who claim to be sexually assaulted? Start to Finish. How does the university treat those accused of sexual assault? Start to Finish. (Do not accept it depends on the circumstances as an answer - there should be a process including counseling).
Don’t Ask - What about TA’s?
Answer in Advance - Teaching Assistants are very carefully selected and have to take their responsibilities seriously as it funds their graduate education.
Ask - What are the criteria for becoming a TA? University wide and by department? How is it determined that they are qualified to teach? How many terms of graduate work do the TA’s who teach freshman and sophomores complete before being allowed to TA? How are they trained? How are they supervised?
Don’t Ask - What about class-size?
Answer in Advance - We are proud of our student to faculty ratio of ##:1.
Ask - How many classes have lectures with more than 50 students for freshman and sophomores? How big are these lectures? What are the biggest and how many do they have?
Don’t Ask - What about teaching effectiveness?
Answer in Advance - Students evaluate the professors at the end of the term and their bosses and the Deans take this very seriously?
Ask - How are professors evaluated on teaching? Is what was learned a consideration? Is there a one-size fits all survey (red-flag can’t answer what was learned)? Give me an example of what would happen if a student complained about a professor for too much homework, for ignoring religious holidays? The answers should be very different.
Don’t Ask - What about computers?
Answer In Advance - The university encourages students to bring computers and use them in their course work.
Ask- Can computers be used in all classes (red-flag it is up to the instructor)? Do faculty use computers in their courses beyond posting power points, autograded assignments, and posting grades? If so how many and give some examples.
Don’t Ask - What about renewing financial aid?
Answer in Advance - Financial aid is reviewed every year and the financial aid office helps students through the process.
Ask- How many financial aid counselors are there? How many are dedicated to students on campus? What are the conditions for renewing scholarships (not loans)? Is there a probation period? Can one get a scholarship back? What is the renewal rate for each year So, Jr, Sr?