Questions for Parents to Ask
Parents should not dominate the visit — but they can ask the questions that get beneath the marketing layer.
How to use: Your role is to listen and observe — not lead. Ask one sharp question, then let your student watch how the admissions rep or student responds. The body language tells you as much as the words.
Ask the admissions officer or info session presenter
What are the biggest reasons students transfer or fail to persist here?
The most important question a parent can ask. How they answer tells you about institutional honesty.
What systems are in place when a student is struggling — academically or personally? What does that support actually look like in practice?
How does the school help students adjust to college-level expectations in the first year?
How easy is it for students to get into the classes, majors, and programs they actually want?
Waitlists for required major courses are a real problem at some schools. Ask specifically.
What most clearly distinguishes this school from similar schools — and what do families most often misunderstand about it?
Ask the tour guide or any student
How accessible are advisors, faculty, and support services in practice — not just on paper?
How early do students begin getting meaningful guidance on internships, careers, or graduate school?
How well does this school support undecided students — without letting them drift?
Critical for any student who isn't certain of their path.
What should families pay closer attention to on a visit that they typically overlook?
A disarming question that often produces remarkably honest answers.
How does financial aid work if our circumstances change during the four years — is it renewable, and under what conditions can it change?