Albion College Top Questions

Stay independent! Don't let new interests and social norms pressure you into changing too quickly. Take your time and get to know everyone. Get outside your box and meet everyone!

Visit all the colleges that have accepted you and go in open minded. Make a connection with the counseling/admission center so they know what to show off based on your interest.

Sign up for everything so you get to meet a ton of new people. Even if you have no interest in canoe club, by going to some of the meetings you might actually find that you like canoing and all of the people in canoe club. Don't base a college decision on where friends are going. Go to the school you actually like. I went to a school where none of my friends met and I met a ton of nice people and really liked the small college atmosphere.

The most important factor to consider when selecting a college is the amount of intellectual freedom it will allow a student. Everyone involved in the college decision must realize that the next four years will be a life changing experience and regardless how sure an individual believes they wish to study or pursue as a career, it is likely to change. An institution of education should not, therefore, be selected for the specific programs it offers but the extent to which its programs are diverse and interdisciplinary. Liberal Arts schools or schools with an emphasis on general education tend to fit this criteria well and allow a student to make new decisions based on the new information they learn in college without having to delay graduation. It is a wise idea to approach an undergraduate institution the way you would a graduate school: the most important part is not where you study, but who you study with. During a college search students should make an effort to meet and build relationships with proffessors. The place in which the student finds this easiest to do is the place where they will get the best quality education.

Find a school that offers a degree you like and activities you enjoy doing and would like to become involved in. College is not about partying, it is about finding who you are what makes you happy. I go to school and Michigan and got involved in whitewater canoeing. I liked the sport, but did not think I would be able to continue. There is no whitewater in Michigan, but the club makes trips all over the country. The most valuable experiences I experienced in college did not come from the class room, they come for interacting with people and trying new things. Remember to pick a college where you can become involved.

Look for a school that you feel best suits your learning and social style. Don't look for the biggest, most popular school, just focus on somewhere that makes you feel welcome and at home.

Visit as many colleges as possible until you find the right one. I got lucky, finding my perfect college at the first try. I visited 2 other schools, but didn't feel as attached to them as my school. The campus was very friendly. You will know when you find the right school. Be sure to ask a lot of questions, know what you're looking for, or ask questions to figure out what you're looking for. Each student is different, so you can't rely on other students' opinions 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Input from others helps, but in the end, you have to determine what you want in a school. As far as making the most of your college experience, go to a lot of social events at first. Even if you're a shy person, it's good to get out, even to join a lot of groups on campus. Experiment with different groups and see what fits you best. Maybe you're the type who likes to be a part of multiple groups, or maybe you're the type who finds that one group who you feel comfortable with. Basically, experiment, experiment, experiment!

Let the students choose what they feel is right for them. The parents can help to guide the student towards choosing a school but should not pressure them. Choosing a school because of one program or one activity is a bad idea. Many students either don't get accepted to programs, or drop their chosen activity because it isn't what they thought it would be. Being comfortible in the social setting is just as important as the academic repuation of the school. A student cannot succeed in an environment they are not comfortible in, and are more likely to stay and graduate from one insitution if they feel like they fit into the community.

jjj

Find one you can afford. And a school that is similar to the place you've grown up so you don't feel out of place.