How beneficial is interviewing a university alum about their experience?

I'm considering reaching out to alumni from a few universities I'm interested in applying to. How valuable can these discussions be for understanding the campus culture and academic environment?

Speaking with university alumni can be a great asset to your college search. Often, alumni can provide unique insights into the student experience that you can't find elsewhere. They can share their personal stories about campus culture, talk about the academic environment in detail, and perhaps discuss how their degree helped them in their careers. This insider view can help you form a more vivid picture of what it's like to be a student at that particular college.

However, keep in mind that everyone's experience is different, and an alum's opinion might not necessarily represent the current state of the university, especially if they graduated many years ago. Just as culture and time may have changed their perspective, so too might the university have evolved over the years.

Additionally, don't rely solely on these conversations while making your decision. Use them in conjunction with information from official university resources, admission events, virtual tours, and conversations with current students or faculty when possible.

In summary, while talking with university alumni isn't a necessity in your college search, it can definitely offer valuable insights and a personalized perspective, helping you to better understand the institution and make a more informed decision. Consider reaching out to a range of alumni to gain a variety of insights.