What do you wish your DC had asked before accepting?

  1. Ask someone in admissions what changes are anticipated on campus that will impact students in the next 4 years - new programs/facilities, changes in how APs are credited, changes to distribution requirements, etc…

  2. Ask at the dept level (if you are sure of your major) what changes they are anticipating in the requirement for majors, new areas of focus, new faculty bringing in different classes, etc…

  3. How hard/easy is it to double major, major/minor, take classes in other schools/programs associated with the U, etc…What about creating your own interdisciplinary major?

  4. Can you take more than 4 years to graduate? What if you want time off to work on a start-up, do research overseas, or just travel (i.e. non-medical leave.) Some schools are happy to grant you flexibility while others are very sticky or don’t allow it at all.

I’m a '16er but I found it really helpful to ask questions to current students other than a tour guide. I did a prospective students overnight and I was able to my host and about 5 of her friends various questions “how many people party?” “Do people pressure you into partying?” “What do you do for fun?” “For the most part are people accepting of disabilities?” “How are the professors?” " do you feel safe here?" “What is your favorite thing here, what’s your least favorite?” I already loved the school but hearing those answers and how much they fit me made me feel even more excited. There’s something to be said about honest answers out of earshot of parents and college employees.

Where do upperclassmen generally live? If most live off campus, how competitive is it to get housing relatively close to the school?