In the fall, campuses are buzzing with new students and lots of activity. Ask about how large the specific freshmen classes are to get the best idea of what your child will experience. At large universities, many 101 level courses have lecture sections of 100 students or more and small discussion groups where students become better known to those who will grade them. At larger schools, many of the discussion groups are taught by teaching assistants. If the school makes use of graduate or undergraduate students as teaching assistants, find out in what capacity and how often they serve.
All schools say their professors are accessible to the students.
See if this means just scheduled office hours or home phone numbers and coffee get-togethers. Inquire about the academic support facilities that the school provides, such as a writing center where a student can have a paper looked over before it is submitted. Within the specific college that your child is applying to as a major, there may be tutoring for technical courses which support that major. At large state universities be sure to inquire about early deadlines to secure freshman housing. Priority housing goes to incoming freshmen who return their contracts on time and to returning students who have had campus housing the previous semester.