As super exciting as it is to graduate from being high school students and move on to college or uni, transitioning into the new life of higher education can feel a little daunting!
There are so many unknowns to navigate! What if you don’t make friends? How will classes be different? Will they prepare me for an uncertain job market?
As a former student, I understand it’s totally normal to feel a little lost when starting out, especially in your first year!
One of the best-kept secrets for insights into your new world is by finding out how other students experience college and tapping into your alumni network!
So as a current or prospective students, what kinds of questions should you be asking in order to get meaningful feedback about their personal experiences with academics, campus life, job opportunities, and more?
Photo by M ACCELERATOR on Unsplash
Read on for some of my best tips on navigating conversations with college alumni and all the essential questions you should consider asking about the biggest challenges you may face at your given school.
This post is all about questions to ask college alumni.
QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE ALUMNI
Ok so let’s dive straight in and discover 25 of the most useful specific questions you can ask college alumni to get the most out of your uni or college days.
Questions To Ask College Alumni: 25 of the best
1. What do you wish you knew before starting at this university?
2. How would you describe the campus culture on a typical day?
3. Are there any tips or advice that could help me succeed in my studies?
4. Could you tell me about a memorable experience while at this university?
5. How did this university help prepare you for the next step after graduation?
6. Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen that would help make their transition to college easier?
7. What types of activities, clubs, or organizations did you participate in?
8. Are there any additional resources that I should be aware of while attending this university?
9. How has this university evolved since you were a student and what changes have been made to improve the student experience?
10. How do current students stay involved and engaged with campus life?
11. Can you tell me more about the internship opportunities available at this school?
12. Are there any resources available to students that help them transition from uni or college life to the professional world?
13. Is there anything about the campus that could have been improved upon during your time here?
14. What kind of student organizations exist on campus, and how do students benefit from them?
15. What was your experience like with student services, such as housing, career services, and health & wellness?
16. Are there any career/ professional development or mentorship programs available to students at this university?
17. Are there any alumni networks within this university that current or future students can take advantage of?
18. How do faculty members go about helping students achieve academic success in the classroom?
19. Is it easy to find a job after graduating from this university?
20. What type of housing options are available to students and what is the cost associated with each option?
21. What type of events does the university host for alumni such as career fairs, networking events, or other activities?
22. What do you think are some of the most challenging aspects of college life at this university?
23. Is there a particular industry or field of study where this university stands out in terms of preparing its students for success?
24. Which professors would you recommend taking classes with?
25. Are there any unique experiences or opportunities at this university that are not found at other institutions?
Ok so now we’ve got the best questions lined up, why does it matter that you chat with ex-college students?
Why should I question college alumni?
Starting college can be such an exciting journey but can also leave you with a ton of follow-up questions you need answers to!
With so much to learn and figure out, it can be helpful to find guidance from those who have gone through the same university or college admissions process.
A deeper dive into what your college life will look like
Talking with college alumni can provide you with insight into the university's culture and offerings, as well as give you a better idea of what your college years may look like.
If you're considering a college and want to get the scoop on it, talking to alumni who have attended is really useful!
The main reason is because Alumni often have insight into areas of the university that you might not be able to get answers from.
For instance by talking to admissions faculty or even attending official campus tours! such as dorm life and course difficulty.
Alumni have first-hand uni/ college experience
Speaking with someone who has experienced the college first-hand is a good way to learn more about students' struggles and successes while they were there.
Asking alumni good college interview questions can give you valuable information on whether or not that university would be a good fit for you.
Additionally, making connections with alumni can help you create relationships that may benefit you in other ways further down the road.
All-in-all, talking to an alumni can provide you with their unique perspective and also give you an extra layer of confidence when learning about all aspects of your potential dream school.
So where is the best place to find these fonts of knowledge?
Read on to find out.
Where to find college alumni?
College alumni can be surprisingly easy to find if you know where to look.
● Go direct to the college: Reaching out to a local college or university and asking for contact information such as names or email address of recent alumni is a great place to start. Check the college’s website to seek out whatever professional network they may have.
● Get in touch with The Alumni Association: You can also contact the school's Alumni Association or search for Facebook groups dedicated to alumni of the college you attended or are looking to join.
● Try an alumni directory: Many colleges also provide tools like alumni directories. They don’t have a cost attached and can be searched for free. These are a great way of hooking up with former classmates and colleagues. It’s fairly easy to search the system based on such criteria as graduation year, major, location, and more.
● Try social media: Other ways include social networks like LinkedIn, which allow people to input their educational background and connect with other alumni in their field or geographic area as well.
● Search the web: You may even come across web pages that are totally dedicated to discovering alumni communities who have shared interests and backgrounds with a quick google search.
● Events: Also don't forget to look into finding alumni through in-person events like networking gatherings, reunions or even a campus tour.
Check out my article on Why is Student Networking Important?
So when you need assistance tracking down college alumni from across the globe, there’s no shortage of resources available!
“Many colleges also provide tools like alumni directories. They don’t have a cost attached and can be searched for free.”
Photo by Evangeline Shaw on Unsplash
Questions to ask college alumni - to end on
So I hope you’ve found these important list of questions useful to ask college alumni that can help you get a better understanding of what the university has to offer!
Alumni can provide unique insights and important information about their alma mater, that can prove totally invaluable when making an informed decision about your college future or future career.
It’s always a good idea to take advantage of these resources and get connected with new people who have gone through the same experience as you!
Student life doesn’t afford a lot of time to do much other than studying, work a part-time job.
The most important thing to know is that by managing your time wisely, you can be more productive and still have a lot of time to have fun, hang out with your friends or participate in extracurricular activities. So, for more help and valuable information on leveling up at college and serious ‘adulting’ don’t forget to check back to my regular weekly blogs.
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