Abilene Christian University Top Questions

The most important thing is to know what you want of out of your individual college epxerience. Not necessarily what exact major, but whether you want a big or small school, private or public, liberal or conservative. Do you want to be in a sorority/ fraternity? Do you want to take a car? Do you want to play sports? These are things to think about while doing researching on the internet. Narrow it down to one or two absolute favorites, and three or four other choices you like. Look for all your prerequesites, then see what each campus offers that is unique. Then start visiting. I definitely recommend taking advantage of whatever "college days" your high school gives you and visiting (at least) your top three schools. Then when it comes time, sent in your applications. Once you get to college, I recommend two things. First- get involved. Join a club, play intramurals, start a study group for your hardest class. Second, don't go visit home every weekend and don't have your parents come visit you. College is all about growing up, and you can't do that if you are constantly surrounded by your parents. Good Luck!

First, know what you are looking for. Find a college that has excelent programs in fields that you are interested in (I.E. Business, Biology, English, etc). Then after you have made a list of a few choices come up with your own criteria, such as location, student to teacher ratios and other related criteria. If you are planning on going beyond undergraduate degrees and obtaining a masters or Ph.D then don't forget to check out acceptance rates to graduate schools from your list of universities and colleges. Also, don't forget about financial aid and services. Find a college that provides these services and has plenty of opportunities for scholarships and loans. As part of your research don't forget to visit these colleges, and when you do visit ask as many questions as you can. There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your education and your investment of time and money. The main idea of finding a college is finding one that suits your specific personal and educaton needs and will allow you to grow and gain knowledge that will help you for the rest of your life.

Choose a school that is the best fit for you. Don't choose a school just because it is where your parents went or where your friends are going. Get involved. Find a group that has similar interests as you and get out and do stuff.

There are a number of criteria that need to be used to determine what college will fit your needs the best. First, and most importantly, you need to pick a college that will make you feel the most comfortable at becuase you don't want to spend the most important years of your life completely miserable. Another important factor to consider is the specific program at the university and its reputation as well as the value of your education because companies consider the prestige of your degree from your college.

Finding the right college is probably not as hard as you think it is. I completely overanalyzed the situation and was very upset when I found out that I wouldn't have enough funds to go to my number one school. The school I ended up attending was probably where I was supposed to be in the first place, but I just didn't know it. My point is, you will probably be happy anywhere you go as long as you persistently seek out people you can connect with once you get there. Seek out the good that the school has to offer and stop looking at its weaknesses. If you simply cannot shake a certain weakness, and it is a valid concern backed by others, get together with people and try to change it for the better. You'll be surprised at what you can do for your school, especially with the help of professors and other faculty members.

Let the child make their decisions weather good or bad a college and an education is theirs not yours. Be supportive no matter what even if that means an out of state college (like me, grew up in MA went to school in TX) and be supportive of their choice of study.

Visit each college campus that your child is looking into because each campus is different and right when they step on campus they will know which one they belong to. Also pray about it because the Lord will put you were you belong. "for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord plans for good and not for evil to give you a hope and a future" Phil.29:11

Visit every school that you think you might be interested in attending. Remember, the best school is not always the most costly. Also, you do not need to follow your high school friends. Go where you want to go. Be brave, and go out on a limb. Remember, if after the first semester you do not like the school, you can always transfer. It is not going to hurt you to attend somewhere that you do not know anybody. It will be a great life experience. Have fun in college, but you need to make good grades. Seek out help before it is too late. Also, get involved on campus. Go to the football games. Join a club. Remember, sometimes it is a good idea to follow the campus rules. They are there for a reason. Don't go to college to get an MRS degree. It is not worth your time or your money to worry about such things. It will happen when it will happen. Also, call your partents. They do love and miss you. Seek out those other students who might need a friend. Never wish the time away, you will want it back!

I believe that the person that is attending the school should be there because they want to be there. I admit, while in college you will have a moment of doubt but you need to figure out what YOU want and don't let any other negative factors get in your way. When you are looking at a college make sure that you feel comfortable within that environment because if you don't then those two or four years while you're there will only make you miserable. It's all about comfort because with out that then your academics will surely slip.

Find a school that has a mission statement that you support and clicks with your heart. Talk to students whom you do not know at the school and it will help you understand what the school is really like. See how friendly professors are to you when you visit the university. See if professors know the names of students.

Parents should encourage their kids to first choose a degree that interests them. By choosing a college that matches interests, a student will have a great college experience and have fun learning. The atmostphere of the college should also be one that offers many clubs that would fit the needs of everyone. It is really important to get involved in on-campus clubs. Clubs are great ways to meet new people with similar interests and also collect new views of their areas of interests. The only focus during college should be focused on school. Some students choose to follow where half of their high school goes but all that really helps is procrastinating because students will start to lose their focus on what's important. Choosing a college that is in a city that likes to party is not a wise choice, even though it may appeal to some. In the end, a student really benefits from choosing a college that fits educational interest and personalities.

First things first, relax. You're about to start on one of the greatest adventures of your life. As long as you make the perfect choice about which college is right for you, right? Choosing a college can be overwhelming. However, if anything can keep panic at bay, it is this piece of advice: not knowing is ok. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. Certainly, you should do your research, and do it thoroughly, but no matter how early you start--and you should start early--there will always be something that you aren't sure about. It never fails, you will discover at least one surprising fact after you've finished lugging all of your worldly possessions up the stairs behind you. Strangely enough, knowing this can take a great weight off of your shoulders, because it means that most colleges aren't so different after all. The truth is that enjoying your time in college depends less on choosing the right meal plan and more on your attitude, no matter where you decide to go. If you remember nothing else after the car door slams for the last time, remember this. Choose to live the adventure.

If you want to go to college, do your homework. Ask tough questions. Don't settle. But be sure you want to go to college. It's not the right place for some people wo could thrive in other environments. Decide what is best for you and then make it happen.

Learn as much as you can about the views of the students, their weekly activities, extracuricular activities and course load. Visit many campuses and be very observative and try and picture yourself on that campus. Understand what it is you want to get out of college before you select a school to attend. Once you find out everything you want to know about a school decide if you think you can commit to that same school for your entire undergraduate degree, then see what they offer after graduation and see if that is still consistant with your current planned path. If you are unsure of what you want to do or how you will respond to actually attending that school step out of your comfort zone and talk to on campus people that aren't paid by the school and find out what people really think about their school and how they interact with the campus.

The best advice I could give to those deciding on a college is to find an institution that fits not only who you are, but is able to push you toward the person you strive to become.

The quest for the right college is terrifying, but very neccessary. Some may already know that they are destined to go somewhere, or it has been predetermined by a family line. Some may have no clue, and this is where it is neccessary to go to the college during the time where it would be most busiest and get a thourough tour. Choose somewhere that would be reasonable driving time, or flying time. It would be wise to choose a school that has an emphasis in the sport you like to play or the major you are going for, as well as a the way the dorm feels when you enter to the time you leave. The freshman year is crucial, because that's when all of the life-long relationships will be made, as well as knowing if that is the right college for you. During the weekends, stay there and get involved with the school. Most schools have alot going on during the weekends, and if a student goes away on the weekends he/she will miss out on everything. Take advantage of everything that the school has, yes, even a weekend mission trip.

I don't really believe there is a "right" school for everyone -- I believe college is what you make of it. Yes, there will be academic and social cultures that suit you better than others, but ultimately, each student is responsible for their experience. My best advice would be to ask all your questions -- the more informed you are, the better decision you'll be able to make. After that, own your decision. Be confident in your choice, don't be afraid to continue asking questions as they come up , be positive. Go into college with expectations of how it will be, and then be flexible and willing to change your expectations as new opportunities arise. Look for things you might never have thought you'd be interested in and be prepared to broaden your worldview. Get to know upperclassmen and ask their opinions on how to get involved. Most of all: do your best. Grow. Grow emotionally, socially, academically, physically, spiritually. Make the most of college by making a concerted effort to better yourself in every way.

I believe it is a good idea to visit a few different different places. Ask the Lord to show you where you need to go and what college is right for you. When you get there jump in and really try to get connected and don't just hang on the fringes. Find a close-knit community. Stay out of the party scene. It gets old real fast. Think about how your decisions will effect you in the long run. Work hard and find time to rest. Do your best in all that you do and don't just get by in school. You are paying too much to not give it your all. Seek to become all that you can and don't settle for any less.

Make sure you do your research on all the schools you are looking into. Look at the certain program you are wanting to go into and look at the financial support. If you are a parent, encourage you child to go away for college. You may not want to see them leave but it is the best way to help them get out into the real world. For the students, consider going to a school away from home. You don't have to go out of state, just try somewhere at least an hour and a half to two hours away. You will never get the full college experience by staying home or going to a school close to home. The best way to have the full college experience is to just get away! You may be home sick at first but it will get better!!

Don't get buckled down in one college right off the bat. Explore your options, you have lots of them. Visit the colleges. And look for a college where you, as a student, are not going to be seen as just a number or a name on a seating chart. College is so much easier when you have professors that care about their students and make an effort to get to know them and help them out.