Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Let’s face it, college visits can be intimidating. There is pressure to know what you are looking for before you ever step foot on campus. Nonetheless, campus visits are pivotal for getting a feel of the place you might call home for the next four years of life. This is especially true for Christians, whose beliefs are often tested during college. To help your search process, we spoke with Multnomah’s Associate Director of Admissions, Carlie Shoup, about what matters most to the students on our campus.

In this article, we provide you with 15 strong questions to ask on your next Christian college visit. Carlie helps us break down why these questions are valuable and offers insight into life at Multnomah! Of course, your burning questions can be answered anytime by messaging our awesome team of admissions counselors here.

Even if you are considering non-Christian colleges, these questions will help you compare all the colleges you are visiting.

1. What makes this university stand out from other schools? 
Every college will tell you it is great, but what is their definition of greatness? Different schools have varying priorities, cultures, and missions. Asking what differentiates a college will help you find a university that aligns with your needs and values.

“At Multnomah, it’s our family-like Christian community! We have an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio so you know your professors will know your name and care about your walk with God.”

2. Where could the university improve? What is being done to make those improvements?
Every school from ivy league to community college has areas for improvement. A great admissions counselor will give you a realistic preview of the college you might attend and a great college is aware it’s not perfect and is actively working to improve itself.

3. What does the school do to keep its students safe? How can I access the campus crime statistics?
Thanks to The Clery Act, colleges and universities are required to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures in place to improve campus safety. While campus crime reports provide information on a college’s general safety, asking your counselor to elaborate on any recent incidents can provide you with greater context.

4. What career services does the school provide to its students? Are there work-study or leadership opportunities on campus? What is the job placement rate post-graduation?
Ultimately, college is a fun steppingstone in the grander life God has planned for you. On your tour, ask about how the university prepares its students for meaningful careers and, statistically speaking, how successful their efforts are. This can help you pick a college that supports your bigger dreams and ambitions!

5. What resources are available to provide emotional care for students? Is there counseling and mental health support? What about disability resources?
A great Christian university will take interest in its students’ academic, professional, physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, regardless of a student’s abilities. A simple but effective question to get an idea for this is to ask what resources a school has in place to support its students.

6. What makes this college Christian? How is the Christian faith acted out in classes and around campus?
Different religious universities vary greatly in their beliefs and the degree of accountability held to their Christian titles. When touring Christian colleges, it is important to investigate what being Christian means in the day-to-day on campus. A great place to start is by looking at a college’s faith or doctrinal statement, which can typically be found on their webpage in the About section.

“You can access Multnomah’s faith statement at www.multnomah.edu/doctrinal-statement“

7. As a private college, what does this school do to help make college more affordable? How much financial aid do students typically receive?
The cost of tuition is a universal concern amongst students and is a wise question to ask on any tour. However, a college’s approach to financial aid can also tell you a lot about its culture. Every school needs money to function, but a college committed to its Christian mission should be invested in helping students afford tuition.

“100% of students receive financial aid at Multnomah!”

8. For your counselor: Did you attend the university? How did it impact your faith?
Often, there’s no better way to get an accurate picture of a school than to ask someone who went there! College tours are a great time and place to hear former or current students’ experiences.

“My time as a student at Multnomah was instrumental in my faith journey. I grew up in the church, but Multnomah helped me deepen my faith and understanding of the Bible. Living in a strong Christian community allowed me to explore my faith through word and deed.”

9. What resources and organizations are available to help me receive support in my spiritual life?
As we noted earlier, a great Christian university will invest in your holistic well-being, including your spiritual life. Learning more about the specific clubs, departments, and resources that a college offers to support its students’ spiritual health will help you pick a college that meets you where you are at in your faith journey.

“Multnomah offers a ton of different ways to grow in your relationship with God from Chapel to small groups. You can learn more at multnomah.edu/spiritual-life.”

10. What is campus life like during the week and on the weekends?
Not every student is looking for the same college experience. While some students want the big and intense atmosphere of a state school, others want a more easy-going and tight-knit community.

“Our campus life is best described as cozy with a taste of adventure. Campus provides a warm home for students to be known while its location in Portland allows for countless weekend adventures to explore the Pacific Northwest!”

11. What are most students interested in? What does the student body care about?
Even at the largest colleges, there tends to be a certain student vibe. At smaller private colleges, it’s especially important to find a student body that shares similar interests and values to your own. After all, college is the time to find your people!

12. What is the local community like? Are students, faculty, and staff involved with local churches and Christian organizations?
If you plan to attend a college in person, it’s best to get to know the local community. As a Christian, it’s crucial to find a great college and a local church home to support you during your time as a student.

“The Multnomah Spiritual Life department does a great job helping students get plugged into local churches!”

13. What is multicultural engagement like on campus? What are some practical examples of how the university has recently taken steps to create an inclusive environment for its students?
One question that may not come to mind is to ask what a college is doing to foster an inclusive environment. The way a college responds to issues of inclusivity will tell you a lot about its compassion and concern for its students.

“Check out Multnomah’s multicultural engagement webpage to learn about some of our latest inclusive development initiatives.”

14. What is the student experience like?
Ultimately, the purpose of college is to get an education that will prepare you for your future career. Valuable questions to ask include: What is the average class size? Are classes more discussion or lecture-based? Will my professors be accessible to help me outside of class time? What are other resources around campus to support students?

“When you visit Multnomah, our counselors will give you a viewbook that helps break down the classroom experience using the latest statistics.”

15. Can I visit classes, chapel, and other on-campus experiences?
The saying “try before you buy” applies to colleges as well. In the spring at Multnomah, we have an event called College Preview when you get to stay with current students, attend classes, chapel, and meet your future professors! Learn more and sign up for the event here.

While you can find plenty of the information mentioned above on our website, there is no better way to learn about Multnomah University than to visit it yourself. Sign up for a campus tour or contact one of our fantastic admissions counselors like Carlie at multnomah.edu/visit.