Beyond Brochures: What You Need to Know About College That They Don't Tell You
Ask these questions to go beneath the layers of public relations to discern if a school is right for you.
By Patricia Roy — November 2, 2023
You know what majors the school offers. You know the name of its sports teams. But what about the vibe? Ask these questions to go beneath the layers of public relations to discern if a school is right for you.
"Where do students go to get administrative questions answered?"
Every student will have questions about their registration, tuition bill, room and board, meal plan, or financial aid at some point. Handling the business end of one's college experience can be confusing and intimidating, especially at larger institutions. Many administrators and planning boards are more concerned about the efficiency of these structures than about the student experience and only care about students when they complain en masse. If you are getting unexpected bills or if your financial aid hasn't been disbursed, you need answers now, not later when some public relations official notices an uptick in negative TikTok's.
Administrative bureaucracy affects student outcomes. Each minute you spend in lines or worrying about your problem takes away from your academics, which is the whole point.
Best Case Scenario:
One central location to get administrative questions answered. It might be called "One Stop" to imply that no matter the question, you go to one place to figure it out. There's no need for you to go to different offices or stand in multiple lines. Offices share relevant information through secure internal networks. Students don't need to know exactly which office handles what because staff are trained to interpret student needs and make the connections for them. Parents do not need to intercede for students because the student-friendly approach enables students to be their own agents.
"How Do Professors Use Their Course Sites?"
It's important to get past the "what" of this issue and onto the "how." Sure, every school has an LMS, or Learning Management System, to run their courses. Any recruiter can tell you what it is: Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, etc. But you want to know how the instructors are using them. For instance, you might want to know:
- What percentage of professors use the LMS?
- Do instructors post their syllabi by the first day?
- Do they post their slides, notes, or assignments on the LMS and grade them there?
- Can I access my course sites from my phone or mobile device?
These are just some of the questions you'll want to know before Move-in Day.
Best Case Scenarios:
The majority of instructors use their LMS and know how to use them. Some of your professors need help with newer technology, and that's alright. It's the school's job to make sure they have training and support.
All course materials can be accessed by phone. Today's students are accustomed to accessing documents, instructions, and forms online often on a phone. While not every aspect of the course needs to live in the virtual space, all syllabi should be posted by the first day of class at bare minimum. Instructors who pass out paper copies instead often cause students a lot of difficulty. If instructors use their sites more or less the same way across courses, they lower barriers to entry, making it easier for students to do well.
"How Important Are Student Activities On Campus?"
In brochures and on official webpages, it might look like a school has lots of clubs, but how many of them are active? If you see there is a Drama Club, for example, when was the last time they produced a show?
You might also want to know if student activities are run by students or if they are housed by a major or department. This will tell you something about the professionalism of the club and whether or not it is open to students outside the major or to novices. If you have an interest in a club that isn't part of your major, will you still be able to participate? On the flip side, are there opportunities for majors to deepen their expertise through clubs outside of class?
Unfortunately, current student officers or members are notoriously hard to reach.
Best Case Scenario:
Your school has a Student Activities Director and staff to answer all your questions. Student Activities is probably the most student-friendly office on campus. The director and staff are better equipped than students to know the history of activities, the procedures for involvement, and who to contact. They can also help you start a club if there isn't one that meets your needs.
"What is the Cultural Climate of Campus?"
Schools are not all the same when it comes to the vibe. How do you know if your school is sporty, career-focused, or a "party school"? Does everyone go home on the weekends? Are Greek organizations important and will you find your tribe if you don't join one? Is the student body homogeneous — mostly from the same background with similar interests — or heterogeneous or diverse?
If you talk to parents or other "old-timers," their experiences might differ greatly from what's current. Your best bet is to find some recent alumni or current students.
Best Case Scenario:
Visit the campus when classes are in session! No one is there during breaks, so you'll miss the vibe entirely if you visit a ghost town. When you visit during the semester, if you see everyone wearing sports jerseys or Greek letters that will give you some indication of what is important to students. Visiting when classes are in session will also give you an indication of the parking situation, if you expect to have a car on campus.
"Can I Have a Car on Campus?"
Some schools do not allow freshmen to live off-campus or have cars unless they have extenuating circumstances, such as a physical disability. Even having a job off-campus may not be enough of a reason to have a car.
If you know you will be a commuter, make sure to make that clear during the admissions process. This will obviously affect your bill, so most schools do a pretty good job of learning this from you.
Being a commuter does not automatically mean you will be able to have a car on campus. You might be expected to take public transportation, which could be very costly.
"Can I Have a Car on Campus?"
Find out about parking as soon as you know you will need it, and eliminate schools from your list of choices who cannot accommodate you. If there is an office of Commuter Services, they will help you figure out your options.
Now You Know
These questions may not be the first ones that come to mind as you are planning your college experience, but attending to them now can alleviate headaches down the road. Now you know!
Patricia Roy
Patricia Roy is a writer and professor who has helped students succeed for over 25 years. She started her career as a high school English teacher and then moved into higher education at Tuition Rewards member school, Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. Her practical guidance and enthusiasm motivate and inspire students to fearlessly explore their own passions. Professor Roy is also a freelance writer and published poet.
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