Applying for college can be a stressful time. It’s time-consuming and expensive to turn in application after application without knowing whether you’ll be accepted.

This is where college admissions calculators come into play. Before filling out your application — and paying a fee — you could potentially see whether you have a good chance of getting into the school of your choice.

But are these college admissions calculators accurate? What can you expect when you use one? Let’s look at how these calculators work to determine whether they’re a good gauge of what you can expect when applying for schools.

What Are College Admissions Calculators?

A college admission calculator is designed to take the information you provide about your academic achievements and then provide you with the chance that you’ll be accepted to a specific college. Some items you might be asked to provide include:

• Basic demographic information, such as religion, race and gender
• Schools you’re interested in applying for
• Current location
• Potential major
• ACT and SAT scores
• Number of times you’ve taken standardized tests
• Any AP exams you’ve taken, and their scores
• Unweighted GPA
• High school class rank out of total number in graduating class
• Planned honors and/or AP classes
• Extracurricular activities
• Legacy status (a close relative attended the school)

Each calculator is different, so it might make sense to use two or three college admissions calculators to compare results.

Once you provide your information, you can usually filter to find schools and see your chances of acceptance. Depending on the calculator, you might see information about whether the school might be a “safety” choice or whether it should be a first choice.

For example, you might input your information and check your chances for Harvard. The calculator might show you that Harvard has a 4% acceptance rate — but your chance of acceptance is 3%. In this case, it might not make sense to apply.

On the other hand, you might compare those results with Penn State. The overall acceptance rate according to the college admissions calculator might be 54%, with your changes listed at 82%. You might decide you like those odds and apply for Penn State and skip Harvard. As a safety, you might also apply to a public university in your state or a neighboring state, where you have a 98% chance of being accepted.

Are College Admissions Calculators Accurate?

Most college admissions calculators use an algorithm to determine your acceptance chances. They compare your information to the stats provided by various schools. These stats can include demographic information, as well as information about average standardized test scores and GPAs.

Some of the available admissions calculators include:

• CollegeVine
• Niche
• U.S. News College Admissions Calculator
• CampusReel
• CollegeData.com

In general, the more information a college admissions calculator asks for, the more likely it is to be accurate.

Many admissions calculators make fields optional, so you don’t have to answer every question. However, the more fields you leave blank, the less accurate your results will be. The more details you can fill in, the more data the calculator has to compare with data provided by the schools.

Remember, though, that none of these calculators is 100% accurate. They can only give you a general idea of how likely you are to be accepted to a college or help you identify colleges where you might have a good chance of getting in.

Tweaking Your College Admissions Calculator Answers

College admissions calculators can be useful when determining which items are likely to be more heavily weighted. For example, a calculator that asks for extracurricular activities might help you see which niche sports can increase your chances of acceptance. Switch out your basketball preference and learn to play lacrosse and you might boost your chances of getting into your dream school.

Other items, like including a potential major, can offer deeper insight into what schools seek. That way, you can narrow down schools based on your interests — and how likely you are to get into a program that matches your preferences.

When using a college admissions calculator, it often helps to start inputting data when you’re younger. That way, if you need to change course with an extracurricular activity or re-take the SAT, you have time to adjust.

Suppose you wait until your junior or senior year to use college admissions calculators. In that case, they can provide you with a dose of reality about your chances of getting into your dream school.

Should You Give Up Based On Your Calculator Results?

Just because a college admissions calculator gives you disappointing news, it doesn’t mean you’re completely out of the game. If you can make a strong showing in other ways, you might be able to get into your preferred school, regardless of what the algorithm says. Some more qualitative items that colleges consider include:

• Personal statement or essay: If you have a strong admissions essay or personal statement, a school might overlook other items. By showing that you’ve overcome hardship or dealt with extraordinary circumstances, you might get past the gatekeepers more easily.
• Letters of recommendation: Maybe you have outstanding letters of recommendation from local luminaries. A recommendation from your mayor, well-known business leader or a respected alumnus might open doors that would otherwise be closed.
• Diversity: Some colleges prioritize bringing students from varying cultural, racial, demographic and economic backgrounds. In those cases, you might be able to take a result that would mean a lower potential for acceptance and boost it.

At the very least, some of these factors might lead to an interview at the school. If you can excel at your interview, you might be able to get in — no matter your calculated results.

Depending on how early you start, a college admissions counselor might be able to help as well. For example, working with a college admissions counselor starting in ninth grade can map out a plan of study, recommend extracurricular activities and keep you on track. This can be especially helpful if you want to attend a competitive school.

Related: Mastering The College Admissions Interview

Bottom Line

College admissions calculators can provide a baseline expectation for your likelihood of getting into a specific school. Some calculators might even provide filtered recommendations based on the information you provide.

However, these admissions calculators aren’t completely accurate and don’t always consider the influence of legacy and personal stories. But, even if they aren’t totally on point, they can still give you an idea of whether it’s worth paying an application fee to a stretch school. Depending on the situation, it might save you hundreds of dollars in fees.

Getting into college these days can feel like a big task. How do you stand out? How can you increase your chances of getting a scholarship?

One way to get help is to work with a college admissions counselor or consultant. However, a college admissions counselor can be costly. If you decide to use a college admissions consultant, it’s important to understand what you need in terms of help and what your goals are.

Here’s what you need to know about college admissions counselors.

What Is A College Admissions Counselor?

A college admissions counselor is someone who can help students and their parents navigate the college admissions process. A good consultant understands what helps students stand out, as well as helps them understand what scholarships and programs might be available.

College admissions counselors take the time to get to know you and understand your strengths. They can then help you highlight your best qualities and provide insight into what admissions officers are looking for.

With the right approach and a college admissions counselor who understands the ins and outs, you can better assess what you need and follow the steps required to improve your chances of getting accepted to your preferred school.

Some of the services you’re likely to find with college admissions counselors include:

• Guidance in helping you develop a plan of study for high school.
• Suggestions for extracurricular activities that will help you stand out.
• Evaluating different colleges to help you find a good fit — with a good chance of being accepted.
• Step-by-step help through the application process, including helping review your materials.
• Understanding, applying for and securing financial aid from a variety of sources, including the government, school and other organizations.

How To Choose A College Admissions Counselor

If you decide that a college admissions counselor or consultant is the right choice for you, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for and compare your available options.

Some of the items to consider as you compare college admissions consulting services or counselors include the following:

Start With Your Goals

Think about your goals with college admissions. In most cases, it goes beyond simply turning in an application. Consider where you’re at in the process and how much guidance you need.

In some cases, you might feel like you need someone to review your application and help you write your essay. Perhaps you want to ensure that you qualify for scholarships in addition to admission. Be clear about what you hope to accomplish.

Once you understand your goals, you’ll be in a better position to evaluate different options and potential admissions counselors. This includes understanding when to get started. While a consultant can help you later in your career, it might make more sense to begin getting help from a college admissions counselor during your freshman or sophomore year of high school.

Review Services From Different College Admissions Consultants And Counselors

Next, start comparing different consultants and counselors. You’ll find a variety of services running the gamut, from general workshops to personalized services. Find out if there are packages or memberships you can use to access services. Some counselors offer packages with specific price points. Review the different packages to see what’s included.

In some cases, you might find counselors who can work with you early on to help you determine which extracurricular activities are likely to help you stand out with your dream school. They can also help guide you in a way that makes you more likely to receive a scholarship.

Look at the different services offered at various stages of the college application and admissions process. You might just need access to workshops and boot camps in the beginning but then want personalized help with putting together an essay or application later.

Compare the services offered with your goals. Do the services match up? If you’re paying for college admissions counseling, you want to make sure that you’re getting something that works well with your objectives.

Related: CollegeAdvisor Review: Is It Worth It

Talk To Different College Admissions Counselors

Before you actually start paying for a service or a counselor, have a conversation. Most consultants are willing to have an initial conversation to review your situation and goals. They’ll also answer your questions and provide different packages and prices depending on your needs.

Find out how available they are to answer questions and how accessible they are. You might not be able to find someone you can meet with in your physical location, but some counselors offer Zoom meetings and other ways to connect. This can be a good way to gauge whether you can work with them.

Determine what services you can pay for and whether those services align with your goals. A good counselor will listen to you, get a feel for what you need and then recommend a plan or package based on your situation.

Having an initial conversation can also give you a gut check about the counselor so you know whether you get along well and feel comfortable with them. Feeling a high level of comfort is important when going through the admissions process. You’ll be sharing details with the counselor and getting their advice.

When It Makes Sense To Use A College Admissions Counselor

Deciding whether college admissions counselors are worth it largely depends on your situation, the schools you’re trying to get into and what you hope to accomplish during and after your time at university.

For example, if you’re trying to get into a prestigious school, particularly one that will cover tuition costs for those with need, a college admissions counselor can make a lot of sense — and be worth the cost. A good consultant can help you navigate the process and increase your chances of getting accepted into a top-tier school.

Check the acceptance rate as well. If the college has a high acceptance rate, you might not need help from an admissions counselor. On the other hand, if you want to get into a specific program, and there are degree-based admissions that have a lower acceptance rate, you might want the services of a counselor to help you understand what’s needed for the specific program.

Finally, if you feel stuck and don’t know the first step to getting accepted to the school of your choice, or you aren’t sure what classes and extracurriculars will help you stand out, a college admissions consultant can guide your steps and help you create a roadmap.

Related: College Admissions Secrets For Parents

Bottom Line

Not everyone needs a college admissions counselor. However, they can be worth it if you take the time to understand your needs and goals. You should be in a position to follow the advice offered by the counselor and be prepared to vet between three and five consultants to determine which is most likely going to meet your needs. While a good college admissions counselor can’t guarantee you’ll be accepted into your dream school, they can help you put together a plan that increases your chances of success.

You might be asked to choose a major as you apply to different colleges and prepare to attend school. Depending on the college or university you apply to, your plans for a major can impact your admission chances.

As you think about where to study, consider the difference between colleges that offer schoolwide admission versus admission to a specific major and what that difference might mean for your acceptance chances.

Schoolwide Admission Or Admission By Major

For many colleges, your application will be evaluated for acceptance into the school as a whole, regardless of your chosen major. But for some schools with disproportionately popular majors, this can lead to issues down the road. If too many students decide to pursue the same field of study, some might have difficulty getting into the classes they need for an on-time graduation.

To deal with this possibility, certain schools require you to apply to specific majors. If the major is particularly coveted, admission will accordingly be more competitive.

For example, you might consider applying to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). For fall 2022, UIUC’s overall admission rate was 45%. However, only 7% of those who applied to study computer science were admitted to that program, versus 52% of applicants who were admitted to study education.

As you can see, if you apply to UIUC, you’ll have a far better chance of being admitted to the education program than to the computer science program.

But even schools that primarily admit by major might nonetheless offer a way to get in without declaring a major early on. UIUC has a General Studies program, for which 49% of applicants were accepted. So you can start there if you haven’t finalized what you’d like to focus on.

In some cases, colleges with schoolwide admission require students to ultimately transition from a general studies program and apply for specific majors later in their college careers. So you might get into a school and start attending, but there’s no guarantee that you'll be admitted to your program of choice once it’s time to choose a major.

Why Do Some Schools Admit Students Based On Major?

Deciding to admit students based on their majors can be a matter of practicality for a school. Some of the reasons that a college might require prospective students to indicate a preferred major in their applications include:

• Proper staffing: With major-based admission, schools can ensure they have enough faculty available to teach all their classes. Knowing in advance which fields of study will have the greatest demand allows a school to allocate staff accordingly and fully meet the needs of its students. 
• Tailored academic advice: When you’re admitted to a specific major rather than to a school as a whole, your academic questions can be answered by specialized department staff instead of generalists. Major-based admission provides early access to knowledgeable career and academic support related to your field of study.
• Access to underserved communities: In the case of UIUC, the admit-to-major approach has resulted in a higher percentage of Hispanic and Black students attending the school. Admitting based on major allows different departments to use different admission criteria; diverse admission criteria can allow for a more diverse student body than uniform admission criteria.
• Program-specific criteria: When each individual department or major can determine its own admission criteria, the students it admits are more likely to possess the academic qualities needed to succeed in that specific field. For example, when reviewing an applicant’s college entrance exams, an engineering department might value high math and science scores but deprioritize scores in English.

Regardless of its reasons, it’s vital for you to understand if a college practices schoolwide or major-specific admission. Knowing which method a school uses in its college admissions process can help you make informed decisions about which schools to apply to and which to skip.

Deciding On A Major

As you consider which school to attend and what major to pick, it’s essential to realistically assess your chances of acceptance. Many schools provide data about their admission rates for specific majors. For example, Purdue University’s fall 2022 rate for computer science majors was 33% of applicants. If you want to attend school for computer science, you have a far better chance, statistically speaking, of getting into the program at Purdue as opposed to UIUC.

Another consideration is which majors are admitting more students. By looking at admission rates by major, you might get an idea of which career paths are in demand and which fields of study have a shortage of interest. A major’s high admit rate may indicate a lack of interest from your peers, which might make for a less competitive job market later.

Related: The 10 Best College Majors

Applying To A Major

Once you decide on a major, you’ll have to apply to the appropriate school. Many colleges and universities divide their administration and programs into schools on campus, such as the School of Education or the School of Engineering. There might be various majors and programs inside these different schools. Depending on the college and how it manages its admissions, you might need to apply to the college and simply designate a major or apply directly to the program that offers the major.

Some colleges have a standard portion of their applications that everyone fills out, followed by a more specialized portion based on your major. Other colleges may direct you straight to the relevant program and have you start your application there.

As you move forward, research a college’s specific process to make sure you’re on track, and double-check that the college offers the program you’re interested in. Get a list of application requirements and tailor your essay to focus on why you’re interested in and qualified for that specific field of study. You can also boost your admission chances by engaging in the right extracurricular activities that specifically relate to your desired major.

Bottom Line

Some colleges will admit you based on the major you choose. But if you select a major with a lot of applicants, it might be harder to get accepted to that program. Find out if the colleges you’re looking at admit students based on their chosen majors or if they have schoolwide applications. Either way, get the statistics on admission rates in your major so you have an idea of how competitive both the major and the industry as a whole might be.

If you have your heart set on a program with a particularly low admission rate, working with a college admissions consultant might be a worthwhile investment to give you a competitive edge over fellow applicants.

Getting into and paying for college can feel like daunting tasks, especially in today’s competitive environment. Playing a niche sport is one way to give yourself an edge when applying to a college that might be difficult to get into or a scholarship that many are vying for.

Niche sports are those that aren’t widely popular and that might provide you with opportunities to bolster your admissions and scholarship applications. Here are some of the best niche sports that might help you get more bang for your college admissions buck.

Fencing

Learning how to deftly attack with an épée might get you admitted into one of the 46 schools across the country that offer varsity fencing. Schools like Harvard, Boston College, Yale, and the U.S. Air Force Academy have fencing. And they might even provide you with a scholarship.

In 2018, the odds of getting a scholarship for fencing were 22:1 for men and 13:1 for women. Compare that to the odds of 57:1 for men and 43:1 for women who want to play basketball. As you can see, opportunities abound if you can master the blade.

However, it’s important to note that fencing offers less potential than it did in the past, as Brown discontinued its varsity fencing program for men in 2020, and similar cuts may happen at more schools in the future.

Lacrosse

If you’re looking for a sport that continues to offer relatively high odds of making a college varsity roster, lacrosse can be a good choice. There are 645 U.S. colleges that offer varsity lacrosse teams. It’s even possible to find junior college lacrosse teams as well as NCAA teams outside Division I.

The odds of making any college roster as a lacrosse player are 7:1 for both men and women. When it comes to playing Division I lacrosse, the odds are 32:1 for men and 24:1 for women. This also offers a much better chance at hitting the field than you’ll get with some other, more well-known sports.

Water Polo

Hop in the pool, and you might be surprised at how it can help you get into a good college. Cal State campuses offer varsity water polo teams, along with a number of other schools, including Arizona State University, Chapman University, Pepperdine, and the U.S. Naval Academy. There are 125 schools in total that offer varsity water polo teams.

But what are the odds that a high school water polo player will make the cut for college? A man has 13:1 odds of getting onto a team in college, while a woman has odds of 11:1. Making a roster for an NCAA Division I team has more difficult odds, at 34:1 for men and 29:1 for women.

The significant difference in the chances of making a Division I team versus a team in any of the three divisions highlights an important factor when considering niche sports for college admissions or even scholarships: Sometimes, applying to a smaller school might make sense. Even at a non-Division I school, you might still be able to get a scholarship, albeit likely a smaller one than you would for Division I.

Related: Best Extracurricular Activities For College Applications

Field Hockey

Field hockey is a sport generally played by women at the college level. There are 288 schools that have a varsity field hockey team, meaning that you might be able to get into school if you can skillfully handle a hockey stick. Stanford, UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and Trinity College all offer varsity field hockey teams. If you’re looking to set yourself apart from other college applicants, excelling in high school field hockey might be one way to do this.

Women hoping to get onto a field hockey roster have 10:1 odds, with 39:1 odds for those hoping to make a Division I roster. There are more than 6,600 field hockey players at the collegiate level.

Equestrian

Back in 2018, Marketwatch reported that women had 3:1 odds of getting a college scholarship for equestrian performance. For the 2022-23 academic year, there were 77 schools across the country that had varsity equestrian teams. The average scholarship amount, for those who received one, was $16,567 for riders competing for NCAA Division I schools.

As with many other niche sports for college admissions, schools considered more prestigious, like Auburn, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Sarah Lawrence, are more likely to offer varsity equestrian teams. As a result, it’s important to weigh the scholarship against the potential cost of attendance. For example, tuition alone at Cornell University is more than $60,000 before factoring in grants and scholarships. A $16,000 athletic scholarship at a school like that won’t make much of a dent on its own.

On the other hand, a $16,000 scholarship at Auburn University would more than cover the cost of that school’s in-state tuition price tag of about $6,300. And it would leave plenty of room to cover the $7,700 needed for on-campus housing and food as well.

Rowing

The sport of rowing made headlines in 2020 as part of a college admissions scandal in which certain students received admissions help by being falsely portrayed as rowing team recruits. Other niche sports, like sailing, were also caught up in the scandal.

The incidents underscored the advantages that niche athletes have when they apply to certain colleges. Coaches of sports like rowing and sailing may find it challenging to fill their college rosters. So if a student is recruited for these teams, they may have a leg up in the college admissions process, even if they might otherwise be passed over based on academic merits alone.

There are 152 schools that sponsor a rowing team at the varsity level, with NCAA Division I and Division II schools offering scholarships. Interestingly, men’s rowing isn’t an official NCAA sport, although it’s still possible for a male student to get a scholarship for being on a crew roster. It is, however, an official NCAA sport for female competitors. The average scholarship size for an NCAA Division I woman in rowing is more than $19,700, while for men it exceeds $13,500.

In 2018, the reported odds of receiving a scholarship for women’s rowing were 2:1. Those odds might have been impacted by the aforementioned scandal, but rowing can still be a viable niche sport for college admissions.

Swimming And Diving

Swimming and diving are often lumped together for the purposes of admissions statistics. The odds of making a swimming or diving team at any college are 13:1 for men and 12:1 for women. However, the odds of getting a scholarship are 47:1 for women and 69:1 for men. These stats indicate that swimming and diving may be useful sports for getting into a school you’re interested in, but it’s far more challenging to study on a swimming or diving scholarship.

With 687 schools supporting a varsity swim team, you have the chance to get into schools at various levels. There are even scholarships available at the junior college level for swimming. If you’re looking for ways to save money in college, the combination of starting at a community college and getting a swimming scholarship could be a smart strategy.

Esports

Don’t forget about esports when you’re considering college admissions and scholarships. There are about 170 schools out there with esports teams, from the community college level on up to NCAA Division I. On top of that, there is reportedly more than $16 million in available esports scholarships.

If you play “Fortnite,” “League of Legends,” “Call of Duty,” “Super Smash Bros.,” or other similar games, you might be able to use your esport passion to gain admission or even a scholarship to a college. My son is the captain of his junior college’s League of Legends team and has a half-tuition scholarship as a result.

Bottom Line

Sports like tennis, basketball, and soccer might be popular, but admission slots and scholarships for those sports are also incredibly competitive. If you excel at a niche sport, you might have a better chance of getting into a college you’re interested in, and you could even land a scholarship.

There’s a lot that goes into choosing a college. You need to consider items like cost, scholarships, and available majors. The school will also interview you and request that you submit an application.

But don’t forget that, although you’re technically being interviewed by the college, it’s actually a two-way street. You can interview the college as well. In fact, it’s a good idea to ask at least a few questions that can help you compare different schools and make the right choice for you.

Consider breaking your questions down into different aspects of college life. Some areas to focus on include:

• Academics and academic support
• Financial support
• Campus culture and social life
• Career preparation

Here are some good questions that will get the ball rolling and give you some things to think about during your college search.

Questions About Academics And Academic Support

The schools on your shortlist probably already align with your academic interests to some degree. But consider asking the following questions to fully ensure that a college is the right academic fit:

What Majors Do You Offer That Align With My Academic Interests?

Start by making sure that the school offers a major suitable for your academic strengths. Discuss your interests with the admissions officer, and make sure their college has an appropriate program to help you develop those interests. Too many students choose a school that they think will be fun or that simply meets parental approval but doesn’t offer their desired major. Get that out of the way first.

Are There Separate Program Admission Requirements For My Desired Major?

Depending on the school, you might need to apply for acceptance into a specific department. You don’t always get to just take classes in your desired major without a separate application. Ask about this before committing to a school. If your program of interest does require a separate application, be sure to get a full list of its application requirements.

What Academic Support Services Are Available On Campus?

Confirm that the school offers tutoring labs, writing centers, and other forms of academic support that you can take advantage of. If you have a specific learning need, check to see if the school has adequate resources to accommodate it. Confirm the process needed to request accommodations before making your decision.

Questions About Financial Support

Get an accurate estimation of how much you’ll really pay to study at the school. This goes beyond confirming the cost of attendance and reviewing the financial aid award letter.

Do You Offer A Payment Plan For Balances That Exceed Financial Aid?

Schools may have special payment plans or offer extended due dates for balances that exceed financial aid. Check to see what interest might be charged and what requirements need to be met to take advantage of these programs.

Is There Emergency Aid Available?

A college may offer emergency aid for students who experience homelessness or food insecurity. If you qualify, you might be able to get help paying for rent, covering the cost of textbooks, or getting funds for other items.

Aside from asking about emergency financial support, find out what other on-campus resources are available for students in crisis. Some schools offer their own food pantries, and you might be able to get help applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other government benefits.

What Other Scholarships Are Available?

You may be referred to the financial aid office for this question. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask an admissions officer if specific departments and majors offer scholarships and whether there are additional scholarships available for students who act as school ambassadors or become involved in clubs and activities.

What On-Campus Jobs Help Pay Tuition?

Find out if there are on-campus jobs that can partially cover tuition. For example, you might be able to work as a janitor and get half or even all of your tuition covered, depending on the school. If you qualify for Federal Work-Study, ask for a list of eligible jobs on campus.

Are There Subsidized Health Or Childcare Services Available?

Some schools have health clinics available to students at no cost or for a reduced fee. You might also be able to get childcare or early childhood education for your kids at a reduced rate. Ask about what’s available and the requirements for taking advantage of these services.

Related: The Cheapest Health Insurance For College Students

Questions About Campus Culture And Social Life

While you’re not going to college just to have fun, understanding a school’s social culture is nonetheless important. Plus, you want to make sure you’ll be able to make valuable connections and participate in activities that can potentially help you later.

What Are Some Of The Most Common Activities Students Engage In?

Find out what students do for fun in the area. The college may have an outdoor culture with opportunities for hiking and skiing, a local art scene, or live music venues near the campus.

Are There Extracurricular Activities And Clubs To Participate In?

Tell the admissions officer about the extracurricular activities you engage in, and ask if there are on-campus clubs and events that align with your hobbies and passions. A college may also have groups oriented toward certain cultural backgrounds or political affiliations, and these present great opportunities to meet like-minded people.

What Student Societies And Organizations Are Present On Campus?

Find out about honor societies and professional organizations. See if the campus has the college version of the professional organization associated with your future career. For example, engineering organizations might have a college chapter. This is a good way to network and meet alumni who might help you get a job later.

Questions About Career Preparation

The main reason to attend college is to prepare for a career that will allow you to support yourself, and you’ll want to choose a college that will make your transition into professional life as successful as possible. Here are some of the best career questions for a college admissions officer.
Are There Internship And Research Opportunities For Undergraduates?

Find out what types of internships (both paid and unpaid) are available for undergrad students. And don’t forget to ask whether the school or its departments help place interns. Getting at least some support from your school can make for a better internship experience.

Ask about research opportunities as well, as this can be a good way to build an attractive resume if you plan to go on to graduate school.

What Services Does Your Career Center Offer?

Career centers may offer help with resumes, interview practice, and job placement. Find out exactly what level of support you can expect as you look for different opportunities to advance in your career while attending school.

How Many Of Your Graduates Get Jobs Out Of School?

Most schools have statistics related to alumni employment. Find out how many of a college’s students get jobs when they finish college. Also, if possible, ask if a school’s alumni typically work in their fields of study.

Bottom Line

Communicating with college admissions officers is a critical component of the admissions process, and you’ll want to be as prepared as possible for these conversations. Think about your needs ahead of time, and create a list of priorities you have for your education and college experience. Then, ask admissions representatives from all the colleges on your shortlist about these items and compare their answers.

Don’t forget that getting some advice from a professional can help you better prepare for your conversations with the various admissions officers. Working with a college admissions consultant can help you stay on track and ask questions that are specific to your academic goals.