Question: I have a "Meet the Dean" presentation to go to next week. It's for my dream school - is there anything in particular I should do or not do? Any questions I should ask? Thanks!

This "Dean" is backlogged with questions, and I'm afraid that I might have responded too late for your "next week" deadline. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by a "Meet the Dean presentation." This could be a one-on-one engagement or perhaps an info session with other applicants. It would help to know more, but--in any case--you should begin by reading up on the college in question. The school's own Web site, College Confidential, guidebooks, etc. can all be good sources of information. Then, before you walk out the door, jot down in a notebook:

-Specific aspects of this college that make it your "Dream school." The key word here is specific. "I've always wanted to go there" and "The campus is beautiful" don't count. Neither does, "There's a great psychology department" or "The people seem really nice." All of this may be true, but you need to dig deeper. Are there atypical classes within the psych department (or any other department) that excite you? Is there a faculty member who just happens to be your favorite author? Does an uncommon major or special program cry out to you? ("Study abroad" doesn't qualify since you can study abroad nearly anywhere you go, but a unusual overseas opportunity would work.) In a one-on-one session you are likely to encounter some version of the "Why this college?" question. In a group meeting, you may not. But, even so, it's worthwhile to understand your own motives and priorities before you Meet the Dean.

-Questions that you really want answered and that you won't find answered on the Web site or in other places. Don't conjure up disingenuous queries just to have something to say. Do you really care how many different publications are in the library or what percentage of the performing arts faculty hold terminal degrees in their fields? Similarly, don't devise questions that are largely for the purpose of showing off ("I won the top journalism prize in my high school so I was wondering if I can be an editor on the college newspaper as a freshman?") Also, remember that the Dean should be up to speed on the Big Picture but probably won't be able to tell you what sort of equipment is used in the physics labs or which novels you would read in 17th Century French literature. Don't put him or her on the spot by asking non-Deanly questions, like the ones that I sometimes get. ("Can you tell me what bus lines go to Fordham University?") I would also shy away from questions that focus too heavily on creature comforts. It's fine to ask if there are no-smoking dorms or vegan options in the cafeteria (if that's not clear from the Web site) but don't devote too much energy to the premium cable TV channels in the dorms. Asking what students find unique about their college is always a good question. And I, personally, am always curious about how campus officials feel that their students defy the school stereotype ... if there is one. You can even flip around the ol' "Why this college?" question and ask the Dean to describe memorable moments in application reading when he or she became convinced that a particular candidate would be well suited to this school.

I hope that helps ... and hope that it reached you before D-Day.