Meet with Parents/Guardian to discuss college planning
Meet with your School Counselor to review plans
Register for the SAT/ACT if still needed
Continue researching and building college list
Check out some college open houses
Add college list to Common App/Naviance
Start working on college applications
Match common app to Naviance
Review deadlines for applications
Complete your resume in Naviance
Start working on your college essay
Request letters of recommendation
Start researching & applying for scholarships
Attend Financial Aid Night
Finalize your college list (update Naviance)
Complete the FAFSA (Free App for Financial Aid)
Create your HESAA account (if applying to NJ colleges)
Request transcripts for all colleges
Send college applications and supporting documents
Send tests scores electronically to colleges
Patiently wait for college admissions decisions
Continue researching and applying for scholarships
Review & compare financial aid packages
Review Admissions decisions and make selection
Meet with your School Counselor to discuss finalized plans
What to ask during a college visit?
Questions About Admissions
Does this school consider demonstrated interest?
Is there an opportunity for prospective students to sit in on a class to experience a real lecture?
Are there options to receive a lunch or dinner pass at the dining hall to try the food?
Questions About Academics
Where do students typically study?
How does advising work?
What are the academic strengths of this school?
What opportunities are there for study abroad and exchange programs?
If available, are these global programs directly run by this school – where faculty members travel with students – or are these study abroad programs outsourced to a third-party company?
Are these study abroad experiences built into the tuition or are there additional fees to participate?
Read: How to Avoid Scholarship Scams.
Questions About Financial Aid
What is this school's average financial aid package?
What is the average net cost when students enroll?
What is the current level of funding with endowed scholarships – how much are donors contributing to scholarships?
Do you offer merit aid? If so, what are you looking for in a candidate?
Questions About Campus Housing and Community
What are the housing options?
What are the fee structures for these different options?
Are students required to live on campus?
How does your campus define diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?
Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide to Gauge Campus Life
What surprised you about this school? What's something you didn't expect?
What keeps you coming back to this school each year?
Have we seen your favorite place on campus?
What event on campus gets the biggest turnout every year?
If you were struggling with an issue, would you know who to turn to? Who would that be?
Related: College Visits: Do's, Don'ts for Parents
Questions About Work and Research Opportunities
What are the opportunities for undergraduate research on campus?
How do those research opportunities give students valuable hands-on experiences that enhance their resumes?
What are some specific ways this school helps students gain hands-on experience through internships
Questions About Student and Career Outcomes
What is the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year?
What is the five-year graduation rate?
What is the job-attainment rate of graduates within six months of graduating?
What percent of students are going on to graduate school?
What percent of students are intentionally taking time off post-graduation compared to those who are not able to find jobs?
What size is the alumni network?
How are alumni actively engaging with recent graduates to help connect them specifically to opportunities in their fields?
