Colleges on Long Island

Before you begin arranging campus tours, you should plan carefully for your college visit in order to make the most of this investment of time and money. Not only do you need to experience the atmosphere but also learn firsthand about the faculty, class sizes, curriculum, etc. Usually college campus tours tend to be mostly a marketing effort for the college involved and not necessarily answering all the important questions. That’s why you need to make sure that you ask about every detail you want to know about. Here are some examples of questions you should know the answers to in order to make an informed decision:

How much is the tuition?
This is probably one of the most important questions since in most cases cost is a big factor in college decisions. Make sure you ask if the price includes room and board. You may also want to inquire about scholarships and what is required of students wishing to apply for one.

What are your most popular programs?
The answer to this question will help you figure out what areas of the college are the best and see if your study interests fall into that category. Research your prospective major in the university’s course catalog.

Are there long waiting lists for some required classes?
If so, that might make it hard to complete certain courses in time to graduate.

Is housing guaranteed?
Make sure you ask to see housing options both on and off campus. If you don’t ask, housing may not be included in the campus tour. You may also want to ask about dorm policies.

Do you accept AP credits?
If you took AP classes throughout high school and have high enough scores on the AP test to be able to get credit for college classes, this is definitely something you should ask.

Does your college have fraternities and sororities?
There are a lot of students who prefer to go to a college that has fraternities and sororities but there are others who don’t want to deal with that. If it makes a difference to you, be sure to ask.

What is the average class size?
Larger class sizes means less one-on-one attention.

Do professors or graduate students teach courses?
Just because a college has great professors, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be taught by them. Maybe they’re busy with research and their classes are taught by grad students.

How difficult is it to change my major?
Use as many resources as necessary to weigh the many essential factors when choosing a major. But if you realize that the major you’ve chosen is not really what you want to do, can you change it and how?

Do you offer internships related to my major?
An internship has many benefits – it not only gives you chance to try out a potential career but it also provides you with professional work experience and helps you develop job-specific skills; some employers see internships as a great way to recruit employees.

What is the percentage of students getting jobs after they graduate?
This is an important question to ask when choosing a major.

What kinds of extracurricular activities does the college offer?
Are there sports facilities for people who are not athletes? Can you take a dance class even if you’re not majoring in Dance?

What percentage of students graduates in four years?
Ask about drop-out rates and the percentage of freshmen returning for sophomore year.

Choosing the right college or university is one of the most important decisions in your life that’s why careful planning and making the campus visit productive and informative are essential. Take the time to review everything and make the best choice for your future.

In college as in life safety comes first. Going away to college brings many changes, and those changes often lead to new experiences and personal growth. College is a very exciting time in one’s life and many students take a relaxed attitude toward safety. That’s why it’s important to find out about your school’s emergency policies and review them carefully before attending.

Tell your friends where you will be
Make sure your friends and roommates know your schedule, where you’ll be and with who, and when you plan to return. Don’t share this information with everyone though, only the people closest to you should be aware of your schedule. If you plan to meet with someone you don’t know, for example for a date or to study, choose a public place like the library or the student center.

Pay attention to your surroundings
Always stay alert and know what’s going on around you; be aware of your surroundings – this is the best defense to being taken by surprise. If you feel that someone’s following you, go immediately to a safe environment. If you think you’re being attacked, scream for help, run or do anything that will attract people’s attention – this could deter an attacker.

Stay in groups
Isolating yourself makes you more vulnerable and an easier target for a potential attacker. Try to walk in groups or at least with a friend; avoid dark streets and keep a cell phone within reach for emergencies. It can only help if friends keep an eye out for each other. Beware of headphones if you are walking or jogging alone. They drown out noise and might give an attacker a chance to approach you unnoticed.

Don’t give out your personal information
College students are victims of identity theft more often than any other groups. Try not to display personal information on doors, mailboxes, key chains, etc. You can just use an initial and a last name. The less information a stranger can learn for you, the better.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Check your new room or apartment to see if smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed, and if so make sure they are in working order. If alarms are not present, install them yourself.

Travel safely
Purchase an auto safety kit and first aid kit for your car in case of a roadside emergency. Keep your cell phone with you while traveling in case you need to call for help. If your car breaks down, stay in it with the doors locked until police arrive.

Fire safety
Participate in fire drills and adhere to guidelines for evacuation when a fire alarm sounds. Take each fire alarm seriously even if there have been false alarms in the past. Have a plan ready in advance of what to do in case of a fire or emergency. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher installed within ten feet of the kitchen.

Lock doors and windows
This rule refers not only to college campuses but your home as well. Leaving doors and windows open gives anyone easy access to your place. Never open your door to strangers without checking credentials. If someone asks to use your phone, offer to make the call while they wait outside.

Emergency contact
Add an entry into your cell phones under ICE, “In Case of Emergency”. This name and number should be your emergency contact. Emergency personnel are aware of this and will look in your cell phone to reach this person if needed.

Take an active role in keeping yourself safe on your college campus. Remember, it’s your responsibility to look out for yourself. While college is a new and exciting experience, it should be a safe one too!