Asking questions about academics is a way to find out if the school can meet specific career or learning interests. For instance, a student looking into psychology programs should ask questions about what types of research the program focuses on and if there are opportunities for undergraduate students to become involved in these. Asking about the school's rigor and basic academic requirements for graduation can also be helpful. For instance, a student may ask about examination and homework requirements, as well as what the core curriculum requirements are in general. Questions about faculty, faculty availability, student-to-faculty ratio in classes, and academic honors programs can help a potential student determine whether her learning needs can be met.
Aim college-life questions at collecting information about living on campus as well as health and safety and social opportunities. Ask specifics about dorm life, such as what types of dorms are available -- for instance, co-educational or single rooms; what the parking situation is on campus; and what access students have to the Internet.
Students interested in Greek life such as sororities and fraternities should ask specific questions about whether these organizations are represented on campus and to what extent. Students can also inquire about the general tone of socializing on campus.
Asking about substance-free dorms, incidents of campus crime, and campus security can be effective questions toward finding out how safe the campus is in general.
Students can ask about clubs, organizations and other activities that might hold their interests and make college life more exciting. These can include athletic and intramural activities, as well as the availability of study-abroad programs. Asking about honors organizations, political and cultural clubs can also help a student to understand the campus' general tone as well as if his particular interests or activities are available.
Understanding financial aid and how to pay for school can be a daunting process. Students going through the college-admissions process should ask as many questions about this as possible. Questions about tuition, financial aid, work-study programs and available scholarships should be specific. For instance, ask about how much financial aid is available, where aid comes from, what types of jobs a student may do for work-study, and whether scholarships are based on academics or talents such as athletics.