My mom has called the college I’m going to be attending almost everyday. Each time we get a different person on the line. The college doesn’t tell us anything (and I mean almost anything!) unless we call them. Whenever my mom asks a question, she will sometimes get a smart-ass answer. These are questions that are very important. She said that she has received more smart-ass answers than not. I’m wondering if this is normal behavior in colleges. We do get nice people on the line, but not very often. Did anyone else ever experience this?
She asks questions regarding the dorms (what is included in the room), about finanical aid, and other necessary things. I mean it when I say that unless you call, they don’t tell you anything. None of the flyers contain any information about this. Some of the people that are on the other line agree that the college is not the best with giving information.
I have had above average contact with our state flagship. I usually email any questions after thoroughly searching the school’s web site. I can usually find the answers on the web site but not always. I am shocked at how generally responsive the school has been. If the person I ask doesn’t know the answer, they will refer me to the right department. I have had maybe one slow/bad response.
@j1998h
Try asking some of those questions in your college’s forum here on CC. You’d be surprised how many questions can be answered by current and past students and parents. It really is helpful.
FWIW have had nothing but pleasant and helpful when I call my kid’s school.
I guess most people in this thread are simply surprised, because having to call a college daily is atypical.
Why not simply ask the questions here directly, rather than ask if other people get helpful responses from colleges when they call the college daily? Maybe people here can answer your questions.
The advice on this website, while frank, is FREE. Most people here sincerely try to be helpful. But they can only be as helpful as you are in precisely asking for what you need.
If you prefer less frank advice, consider hiring a private college counselor. They will sugarcoat it for you.
Do you really need to know if colleges are helpful in answering questions if you call them on a daily basis? Or do you really just want the answers to the questions you asked them?
University of Florida has been pleasantly helpful and responsive every time we have called (albeit not every day). So was University of Alabama.
Both schools impressed me in that department given their size.
It might help you and your mom to join the Facebook page for the school, and specifically your class if they have one. There are lots of knowledgeable parents on our family page, and we often answer each other’s questions.
PrimeMeridian, I obviously made you mad, so I apologize.
4kidsdad, it is easier for my mom to call based on the questions that we have. If there was a question that I could ask them, then I would. For example, I don’t really understand the financial aid, so my mom asks those questions.
I’ve found my kids’ schools very helpful, and most of the time I’ve been able to get answers via email.
I agree with SouthFloridaMom9 - try your school’s facebook group if they have one. It’s great for questions like “Does dorm X have a kitchen?” " Should we bring a fan?" "Where’s the closest ATM? " or even “Has anyone else gotten their room assignment yet?”. But of course if you have question regarding your FA award, you should call the FA office directly and ask.
I think it’s nice that your mom is so involved and concerned about your college experience. But yeah, the customer service people are usually rude people who typically aren’t passionate about their job. I feel as though questions asked through email get more thorough and polite responses Bc they come from people who directly work for those departments at the University as opposed to hired customer service / call center people.
I took it as you being mad. Sorry for the confusion. This is one of the reasons my mom calls them instead of me. I apparently get confused to easily :))
"Whenever my mom asks a question, she will sometimes get a smart-ass answer. These are questions that are very important. She said that she has received more smart-ass answers than not. I’m wondering if this is normal behavior in colleges. "
If I worked in an office answering these calls, and a particular student’s mother called daily or very frequently, I’d probably wind up giving a smart-ass answer too. You both need to understand that this falls under pestering.
And no, I’m not “mad” (and neither was PrimeMeridien). But it seems like your mother is not understanding the appropriate dynamics. Save up and ask all your questions at once. But before you do, check your college’s forum, check the website, see if there is a Facebook group for incoming freshmen, etc.
Can you imagine how overloaded that office would be if every single student had a parent who called that frequently?
The school doesn’t mind us calling everyday. They told us that (the nice ones at least). We always get a different person as well, so it’s not like we are talking to the same person everytime.