More than one million students apply to universities in the U.S. each year. So, naturally, these institutions can’t be in close contact with every applicant.
But choosing and applying to a university can be nerve-wracking. It’s normal to have questions arise as you decide where to apply, fill out forms and await the final answer. If you’re currently going through that process, you might wonder: Is it okay to contact a university when there’s something you’d like to know?
To learn more about how to contact a university, we spoke with Dan Phan, the academic program manager for USC Bovard Scholars, which helps high-achieving students with financial needs gain admission to top universities. Here are her best tips for contacting colleges.
Should You Contact Universities?
Yes, you should contact universities if you have questions!
It may feel unnerving, but if you want information — whether it’s about dorm life, financial aid, sports teams or the applications themselves — you should reach out to the school. There are plenty of university employees who can help you out.
“Students are encouraged to contact colleges at any time throughout high school if they have questions,” Phan said. “This is part of the college research process.”
What Shouldn’t You Ask Universities?
Just make sure to do your research beforehand. Phan cautions to refrain from asking questions that can be easily answered by reviewing the university website. Not knowing basic information could make it look like you aren’t truly interested in the school.
Contacting a university during the admissions process is also a time to remind them of who you are and what you have to offer. Use this face time with them to leave an impression.
“If students want to stand out, they should ask insightful questions that shed light on the things they value and give a little context to what they care about,” Phan advised.
What Kinds of Questions Demonstrate Your Interest in a School?
Some colleges list “demonstrated interest” as an admissions factor, so contacting the school and asking those insightful questions can be a way to do just that.
Consider asking questions like:
- What resources does the career center offer to help students find internships and job placements?
- Can you provide examples of companies that frequently recruit students from this university?
- Are there any notable faculty members in my field of interest, and how accessible are they to undergraduates?
- How does the university support interdisciplinary studies or double majors?
- How does the university support students’ mental health and well-being?
- Can you describe the community atmosphere on campus?
- What opportunities are there for students to engage in community service or social impact projects?
- What does the university do to ensure a diverse and inclusive campus environment?
- What is the employment rate for graduates within six months of graduation?
- How does the university integrate technology and innovative learning methods into the curriculum?
- What are the average class sizes for introductory and upper-level courses in my major?
- What academic support services are available to help students succeed in their courses?
- How accessible are campus resources, such as tutoring centers, writing labs and study spaces?
Of course, there are other ways to demonstrate interest, too. Phan noted that submitting an early application, visiting the campus, interviewing with an admissions representative or with alumni, participating in a weekend or residential program, attending an information session or college fair and responding effectively to the “why us” supplemental essay question on the application are all significant ways to signal to a college that you’d love to be a student there.
USC, for example, offers both on-campus, residential summer programs and online, year-round exploration courses, and enrolling in them can indicate both your interest in the university and passion for a specific academic area.
Which Method Should You Use to Contact a School?
There are multiple ways to contact a school, so pick the one you’re most comfortable with. You can send an email, make a phone call, visit in person or even engage in the website’s live chat when you have questions about the university.
And make sure to keep your communication professional! If you’re speaking with someone on the phone or in person, prepare your questions, prioritize the most important things you want to ask and maintain a respectful tone. When communicating over email, use a professional email address, write a clear subject line and include a formal greeting and sign-off.
Who Should You Reach Out to With Questions About the University?
In general, contact the admissions office when you have any questions as a prospective student. They’ll know how to connect you to the right person to get answers. Plus, admissions officers are the same people reviewing your application, so it can benefit you to talk to them.
“If you are missing documents, have errors that need to be corrected or have other updates related to your application, it’s best to contact the admissions office by phone or via email,” Phan said.
However, while the admissions office is usually the right first stop, sometimes there are other people at the university you should direct your questions toward. Phan suggests finding the right contact through online research or checking in with a regional representative.
“Universities and colleges will often have regional representatives in charge of specific high schools or territories across the U.S. and abroad,” Phan explained. “You can search for them by emailing the university admissions office or locate them by first visiting the university admissions office website and searching your high school name or state/location.”
Should You Take a Tour?
Many questions about college can be answered by going on a tour. There, you can see the campus facilities, check out the dorm rooms and talk to actual students to learn more about the culture and the academics.
Universities and colleges host guided tours throughout the school year. The schedules for these are usually available online. There will also often be open houses where you can check out panels and information sessions to learn more about the university.
Of course, you may not be able to make the specific tour dates. That’s okay! Most colleges will allow you to wander around the campus on your own, and, as Phan pointed out, you can always ask a student for insider information or directions. And, if the campus is too far to visit at all, many colleges now offer virtual tours.
When Shouldn’t You Contact a School?
While you’re encouraged to contact the admissions office, visit the school and keep in touch with employees both during the admissions process and after your acceptance, there is a situation where you shouldn’t be asking questions.
Phan advises to hold off contacting a school if it denies your application and has explicitly instructed students not to submit anything else because it doesn’t accept appeals.
Should You Keep Contacting Admissions After You Get In?
You can — and should — continue to contact admissions after you have been accepted.
While you’ll have plenty of concerns during the admissions process, you’ll likely have even more once you’re actually accepted and preparing to begin your freshman year, Phan said.
Luckily, the university’s admissions office will help guide you through this process.
“After a student is admitted, they’ll have even more questions about how to prepare for the first year, including housing, financial aid, scholarships available, academic programs and other opportunities,” Phan said. “The admissions office might redirect students to the appropriate department or office.”
Learn more about USC Summer and Online Pre-College Programs today.