Agnes Scott College Top Questions

Visit potentential schools to get a feel for the atmosphere of the college and the surrounding area. Research schools online to formulate questions to ask when you visit the campus. Make sure you get a tour of the dorms if you plan on living on-campus. Don't limit yourself to one area of the country or a handful of schools.

I think that it's very important to visit the campus and get a feel for what life is like at the school. Meeting the people, seeing the campus, sitting in on classes- all these things really helped me to decide where I wanted to spend my college years. Naturally there are many important things to consider, but if the atmosphere isn't right then nothing else is, either. Ask if you can stay with a student overnight, and attend classes with her the next day. Meet people who are majoring in the things you're interested in. Once you've found a school that suits you, it's a matter of getting out there. Get involved with the people around you, work in teams to accomplish a common goal. Even if you're just studying for a test, it is vital to make connections. Speak up in class, make friends, and talk to your teachers, and you really can't go wrong. We like to "Think, Live, & Engage" at my school, and there really is no better advice. Think with the mind you're enriching, live with the heart that's expanding, and engage the world around you.

Research, research, reasearch, this is the most important thing when you're looking at colleges. Make sure you know a great deal about the major(s) you are thinking about pursuing. If possible visit the campus. Sure pictures are nice and they tell you a little bit about the campus but if you can, go to the college and try to spend the night with a student because even college tours don't show you everything. Also ask students, teachers and staff members what they think about the time they've spent at the school. To throw them off a little and to help judge if the school is really for you ask them what they DON"T like about the school; I guarantee you they won't see that question coming. For parents don't put your own hopes and dreams on your child(ren). Just because you went to a certain school does not mean that it is right for your child(ren). Remember that they are getting older and picking the college that is right for them is part of them growing up so advise your child(ren) but don't hinder them.

Definitely go and visit. Don't rule out single sex colleges. Cost and scholarships matter. Speak to current students. Attend a class. Stay overnight. Don't go to the college that your parents want you to go to to make them feel better; it actually doesn't always turn out okay in the end :).

They say that when you take a test, you shouldn't change your answers since you are almost always right on your first try. Money is an important factor in where you want to go to college--so is the location, what it looks like and the programs it offers. If you're not happy with the way the school works, don't go there. But my first and most important piece of advice is to listen to your gut. As a general rule, people know what they want and need, and if a school is calling to you, it's probably for a good reason. On the flip side, if it is driving you away--even if you don't have a qualitative reason--listen to yourself. You won't love it there. Go where you love; it will affect the rest of your life. It is cliche, but if you really do have the will, you can always find the way.