10 important questions to ask college alumni

One of the best ways to know if a college is for you is to talk to people who went there and talk about their experiences. Some colleges even add an alumni interview as an input into their admission process. Do some searching to see who you know is an alum of one of the schools you are considering. The chance may come during a college interview, or you may know a neighbor who attended the university and is on your shortlist. You might even want to ask college alums questions online through LinkedIn or a social media group.

So, what should you ask to determine if you are making the right choice? Read on for some good open-ended questions to pick your interviewee’s brain.

1. Why did you choose this school?

"Why did you choose this school" is an essential first question to understand your alum’s perspective. If the alum shares your current priorities, this can provide insight into the college and their thought process on this critical decision. Hear what they say about their major, the location, and maybe even what they knew about the college before submitting their application.

2. What did you think of the college after 4+ years?

• What were their impressions of the school after graduation?
• Do they wish they attended another school?
• Were they satisfied or even thrilled with their experience?
• What’s the reasoning behind their answer?

You don't necessarily need to rule out the school for yourself if they have complaints or something they didn’t like. It could still be the perfect choice for you. You might want to consider talking to more alums!

3. What were your favorite classes?

If you’re planning to major in the same subject that the alumnus majored in, this is a great question to bring up. This allows them to go into depth about their favorite classes and the courses that helped them most in their career or may have been the most enjoyable.

4. What did you think of the campus offerings and resources?

The campus and surrounding city are nearly as important as the courses. After all, you might not be happy if you love the feel of a small town and the school you’re considering is in a big city. Get the alumnus’s opinion on:

• Campus life
• Campus resources (like the career center, gyms, etc.)
• The surrounding town
• Clubs, extracurriculars, or other activities

Also, ask if they recommend any clubs.

5. How did the school prepare you for your career?

This question could have several answers, such as talking about the courses that helped them get where they are today, including graduate school, or the resources on campus that help seniors find positions right after graduation. The alum may also want to discuss how connections and networking on campus with fellow students and faculty helped their careers.

Some schools offer internships and other work-study opportunities that help you build a strong resume before graduation. Find out how the college helps students navigate life after college.

6. What did you major in? What did you think of the program?

It helps to talk to an alumnus who majored in your intended study area, but this isn’t always possible. You might, however, be able to find a major-adjacent person to talk to. This student could have taken relevant classes for both areas of study.

Even if the former student you’re talking to has no relation to your major, you can still ask questions.

• Why did you decide to major in that area of study?
• What did you think of the overall program?
• Would you recommend that program to another student?
• Did your academic advisor help you make informed decisions about your schedule and aid you in graduating on time?

7. How were your professors?

Getting an idea of the professors at a college, both in your major and out, can help paint a bigger picture of the school.

• Were the professors kind, helpful, and knowledgeable?
• Did they offer office hours that provided helpful assistance?
• Were they judgmental or condescending?
• Did they assist with assignments, or were they completely hands-off?
• Did they have a good handle on the subject material, or did they seem to be floundering? Were they fair graders—easy or tough?

Remember, this is only one person’s take on a professor and may not be 100% accurate, but they may be able to suggest teachers who helped them on their journey, professors who made an impact, or ones they recommend you avoid. You can then use online resources to see if the student consensus meets your alum’s description.

8. What advice do you have for prospective students?

When it comes to college, lessons may not be learned until you’re actually at the campus – but since you have an alum in front of you, you may be able to learn those lessons a little earlier. Ask them what general (and in-depth) advice they would have about attending this college. It could be as simple as what classes you should take for your general education requirements, what dorm rooms they recommend, and where the best food is on campus!

It can help to leave this as an open-ended question as this allows the former student to think outside the box, too!

9. What was the campus culture like?

The environment you will live in for the next four to six years is essential. So, asking alums firsthand about the campus culture will help determine if it fits you. Do people play frisbee on the lawn on the first warm spring day? Is there sledding down an icy hill after a good snowstorm? Know what kind of college lifestyle you are looking for. If you like what you hear about the way of life from an alumni’s view, you’ll probably enjoy campus life at that school.

10. Ask anything else that is important to you.

Maybe the alum majored in the same program you intend to. Or they didn’t tell you enough about what to expect in the dorm rooms. Or talk about foreign study. Take this time to ask them the questions that matter to you most.

Finding your college match after alumni interviews

Speaking with college alums can bring a lot of outside perspectives to a college. You will get a more in-depth look into the school than you would with an official tour. You might not have this kind of one-on-one time on your campus visit, and you likely won’t get the answers to all your questions. Meeting with an alum over coffee, social media, or through your community can give you the insight you need to choose a college!

Find your college match with College Raptor's FREE College Match Tool.