10 Questions Every Queer Student Should Ask on a College Tour

Choosing a college is a big decision for anyone. For LGBTQ+ students, it can come with extra layers: Will I be safe here? Will I be supported? Will I be able to be myself and find community?

The good news is you don’t have to guess. A campus tour is more than pretty buildings. It’s your chance to do some real homework and figure out whether a school’s “inclusive” claims hold up day to day. The right questions can tell you more than any brochure ever will. We asked our social media audience, our Youth Voices ambassadors and our grantee class what questions they would be asking as a prospective college student, and here’s what they came up with.

If you’re a parent, counselor, or teacher reading this, these questions are a great way to support students without speaking for them.

#10: Is LGBTQ+ inclusion actually a part of everyday campus life?

Start with the small signals. Look for pronoun signage, inclusive language in syllabi, and staff who talk about LGBTQ+ students like they’re a normal part of campus life. Ask about LGBTQ+ traditions that actually happen, like queer student unions, mixers, drag shows, proms. Also ask where students find community outside big events: clubs, residence life, study groups, and informal hangouts.

#9: “How does the school respond when students organize, protest or report harm”

This question tells you how the school handles conflict and accountability. Ask what happens after a bias incident is reported, who supports students through the process, and what follow-up looks like. Ask about the school’s track record with student organizing and protests, and how they balance campus safety with students’ right to speak up.

#8: “What is life like for LGBTQ+ people off campus?”

College life includes landlords, jobs, local politics, doctor’s appointments, and the culture of the surrounding town. Ask students what it feels like to live there day to day. Do they feel comfortable going out with friends? Are there affirming places nearby? If most students say they stay on campus all the time, ask why.

#7: “What healthcare can you get on campus, what requires going off campus, and how does insurance cover it?”

You can ask this broadly without getting personal. You’re trying to understand what the health center provides directly, what needs a referral, and how easy it is to access off-campus care. This should lead to specifics like STI testing, PrEP/PEP access or referrals, hormone care support or referrals if relevant, and prescriptions. Then ask about student health insurance: whether a plan is available, what network it uses, typical costs, and any exclusions to be aware of.

#6: “What mental health support exists that’s LGBTQ-competent?”

Ask whether counseling is free or low-cost, how long the wait time is, and whether providers have training on LGBTQ+ issues. Ask if there are LGBTQ+ support groups and how students find them. If counseling is limited, ask for a short list of affirming providers in the area.

#5: “Can I use my chosen name and pronouns across campus systems?”

This affects daily life more than people expect. Ask if chosen names work on class rosters, email, ID cards, learning platforms, housing lists, and health center records. Ask who can fix errors and how quickly those updates happen.

#4: “Where are the gender-inclusive and single-occupancy bathrooms on campus?”

Many schools will say they have them. What matters is where they are and how easy they are to find between classes or in residence halls. Ask if there’s a map, whether bathrooms exist in main academic buildings, and what the situation is in dorms.

#3: “How does housing work for LGBTQ+ and trans students?”

Housing policies can shape your whole experience. Ask if dorms are assigned by gender, whether gender-inclusive housing is available, and how roommate matching works. Ask how students request changes and who handles housing concerns if something goes wrong.

#2: “What LGBTQ+ community exists here, and how active is it?”

You’re looking for more than a club name. Ask what organizations exist, how often they meet, and what kinds of events they host. Ask whether there are trans-specific spaces, support groups, and student-led programs that build community throughout the year.

#1: “Can I talk to current LGBTQ+ students?”

If you ask one thing, ask this. You’ll get the clearest picture from people living it right now. Ask what feels supportive, what feels frustrating, and what they wish they’d known before enrolling. If possible, ask to speak with students without staff present so the conversation feels more candid.

One last thought

You don’t need a perfect campus to have a great college experience. You do deserve a campus where support is real, community is visible, and you can focus on learning and growing instead of constantly looking over your shoulder.

Learn more about our “Queer Spaces in Unexpected Places” campaign and our work with Antioch College.