Learning More About College - Office of Admissions

There are several great avenues for students to explore and learn more about colleges. One of the best things you can do is visit a college campus. However, if you can’t make it to campus, be sure and attend college fairs, talk to college representatives when they visit your school, speak to your counselor, and check out college websites.

Campus Visits

Visiting college campuses is one of the most important things students can do in order to find the perfect school for them. It’s never too early to visit campuses, but we recommend at least starting during your junior year of high school. If you prepare questions before you come, it will help you remember important things you want to ask. For starters, here are a few things you might want to ask when visiting a college:
What are the admission requirements?

When should I apply for admission and what do you need from me when I apply?
When is the admission deadline?
What is the average yearly cost for tuition, room, and board?
What types of financial aid are available and when are the deadlines?
What majors are available for students to study?
How many students are enrolled on campus?
What types of housing are available for students?
What is the average student-to-faculty ratio?
Do you have an Honors College and what are the requirements for admission?
How do AP classes, dual credit classes, and IB credits transfer?
What do students do for fun on campus?
What can students do in the community (i.e. for shopping, eating, entertainment, etc.)?
What types of services are offered to students (i.e. in terms of tutoring, career services, study abroad opportunities, student organizations, intramurals, etc.)?
What types of athletic programs does your college offer and what is the charge for student admission?

It’s always best to see a college campus in person, but we understand that for some students finding the time to visit seems impossible. If that’s the case for you, we suggest that you check to see if the college you are interested in offers video tours of campus that you can watch from the convenience of your own home.

Visit the Missouri State Campus Visit page for more tips on how to have a successful campus visit.

College fairs

A college fair is an event where students get the chance to meet with representatives from several different colleges and universities in one setting. Students have the opportunity to visit different college booths to gather informational materials; request information from schools; and to ask questions about admissions, financial aid, on-campus housing, college life and more. Talk to your high school counselor to see if there will be a college fair in your area and how you can best prepare.

College representatives at your high school

During your junior and senior years, you will notice that college representatives will visit your high school. Pay attention to your daily announcements and to the posters your high school counselors use to advertise these visits. Take advantage of the time you have with college representatives---listen attentively to their presentations and come prepared with your list of questions about their college or university.

High school counselors

As you start your college search and selection process, your high school counselors will be one of your most valuable resources. If you don’t know where to even begin, start by setting up a meeting to talk with your counselor. Counselors are available to help answer questions about your colleges of choice and to help you find the information you want to know.

College websites

If you are looking for basic college or university facts (i.e. size of the student body, athletics, admission requirements, student organizations, scholarship and financial aid information, etc.) then check out college websites. You’ll be amazed at the number of questions you can get answered by surfing the web.

To learn more about Missouri State and what we have to offer you, visit our online undergraduate admissions guide