How to talk to a current college student: free and paid ways
Start with the college’s admissions office and ask whether you can talk to a current student; some colleges offer a student ambassador, a tour or a chat tool. For a private 30-minute video call with a current student matched to a specific college or major, ama.college charges $49 per call.
Published by ama.college, a paid service · Updated
The admissions office
Ask whether you can talk to a current student. Some colleges offer a student ambassador, a tour or a chat tool; some do not.
- Good for
- Free, and the student is confirmed by the college.
- Keep in mind
- The college selects the student, so you may not get someone in your major.
A campus tour or admitted-student day
Book through the college’s admissions website.
- Good for
- Seeing the place, and quick questions to the guide.
- Keep in mind
- A group setting with limited time, led by someone working for the college.
Your school counselor
Ask whether recent graduates of your high school attend the colleges on your list.
- Good for
- A student who went from your high school to that college, if there is one.
- Keep in mind
- Depends on who went where; some schools will have no one.
Family and friends
Ask around for anyone at the school, or a recent graduate.
- Good for
- Trust, and a longer conversation.
- Keep in mind
- Often not the right major, or a few years out of date.
Student videos
Search YouTube or TikTok for “day in the life” videos from that college.
- Good for
- A feel for the campus and daily routine.
- Keep in mind
- You can’t ask a follow-up, and creators choose what to show.
Online forums
College subreddits and forums where current students post.
- Good for
- Many voices and candid answers.
- Keep in mind
- Anonymous, so you can’t check who is answering.
ama.college
A private 30-minute video call with a current student matched to a specific college or major.
- Good for
- Follow-up questions, a parent can join, and a written recap.
- Keep in mind
- Paid ($49 per call), and not every college has a student available.
Know who you’ll talk to? Forty questions to ask a current student →