College campuses across the country are aflame. Charges of racism are flying, students are taking to “safe spaces” to decry the slightest perceived slight, trauma and triggers and faux tribulation is everywhere.

So what to do if you’re a high school senior making a tour of colleges as you mull which one to attend? You’re no doubt wondering if you should even waste your time at an institution where rioting is praised and civil discourse is ridiculed.

Fear not: There are ways to find a balanced campus atmosphere. According to Young American’s Foundation, there are five key questions all conservatives should ask on college tours.

Does the school have a conservative club?
From College Republicans to Young Americans for Liberty to Students for Life, there are several types of right-leaning student groups nationwide. Most campuses should have at least one conservative student group represented on campus. If not, that may be a clear indicator that the campus is not friendly to conservative thought.

Are there free-speech zones on campus? Other restrictive codes on speech?
Universities administrators love law and order, and there’s nothing more unruly or unpredictable than free speech. Campuses across the nation have free-speech zones — small zones on campus where free speech is to be practiced — but they tend to be illegal, especially on public campuses. Don’t sign up to live on a speech-restricted campus.

Do professors assign textbooks by Hayek, Friedman, or other free-market thinkers?
You often hear about biased class lectures, but just as often the real bias is found within the assigned texts. Students should read from diverse authors in college, including those with a conservative bent. Chances are students read a lot more of Marx than Locke.

How many conservative speakers have spoken on campus recently?
Many universities work hard to bring liberal speakers to campus such as Secretary of State John Kerry, Cornel West and President Clinton, but fail to make the same effort to bring conservative speakers to campus. Students need to hear both sides to be informed and well-rounded citizens.

Can you identify any conservative professors or departments?
It’s important to have an ally in the faculty, especially if you’re a conservative student. If there isn’t a well-known conservative professor at the university you’re touring, think twice about attending.

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Asking these questions before making your big decision will help you make a wise choice. After all, if you’re going to spend four years and tens of thousands of dollars on higher education, you’ll want to find out the answers sooner rather than later. While education shouldn’t be tailored to one line of thought or political ideology, it is important to seek out true balance and diversity — a diversity that includes conservatism.

This piece is part of a CampusZette series exploring the culture, oddities, and experiences of students on college campuses through their eyes.