American University Top Questions

Wherever you end up, you'll be as happy as you allow yourself to be. Find a good group of friends, be open to new people and new experiences, and you should be fine.

I think searching for the perfect college is difficult but can be done. I had a special circumstance in which I was being recruited to play volleyball so my college process was different than the average student. As much as I enjoyed being on a varsity team, once I got injuried and was unable to play, college and my university became very different to me and that was the time that I wished I had looked at other schools. To me, class size and location are huge factors, my largest class has had 50 students in it and I love knowing my professors and not being taught by teaching assistants. Additionally, being close to the city was something very important to me.

The best advice I can give is to get involved on campus early. Join clubs that interest you and be active on campus. Sooner or later the party scene will get boring and you will be looking for new and interesting things to get involved with. This can be difficult id you start your Seinor year. Also have an open mind and try new things that is the best way to discover yourself. The most rewarding thing about college is findingout who you are and what makes you you.

It's fair to say that everybody wants different things out of college, but most people who do go to college do so to make themselves more competetive in the job market. Think long and hard about how the school you plan to attend will do this. Don't just go on tours at the campus - make sure that you meet with faculty and staff for your chosen major. If you are studying something that depends on facilities make sure that you visit them and that they justify the tution bill. Make sure that you understand everything they tell you when they describe and show the facilities to you. Try to get them to let you sit in on a class before you make your decision. It's your money and you should be getting the best education that you possibly can for it. Of course, it can be difficult to asses whether or not a school is "perfect" until you've spent some time there, so be open to transferring as well. It happens. However, understand that there are things about going to college that make everyone uncomfortable - make sure these are not the reasons you'd consider leaving.

Don't worry. Be happy.

It's not the matter of Can or Cannot. It's the matter of Do or Do Not. There are countless opportunites waiting for you. You will most likely have the ability to take any of those opportunities. At times, as you encounter opportunities, you may feel underestimated or overwhelmed. Some students tell themselves that they cannot take the opportunity because: 1. it's too easy for them, 2. it's too hard for them, 3. it's too time consuming. However, what makes the difference at the end is not your inherent-ability, but your potential that you grew into the greater ability by taking each opportunities. It's always Do or Do Not; Never Can or Cannot. Do not be afraid!

The most important advice to make the most of your college experience is to get as involved as you can when you first arrive to college, and never turn down an offer to meet new people. Advice to parents and students in finding a college is to look at programs that interest you and look into the city the college or university is in as well as that will play a large part. It is also important to pay attention to the types of people that attend the school because you will most likely end up being like them. Make sure you apply for as many scholarships as humanly possible while you can and try and pass as many AP tests as you can. The benefit is magnificent!

Go there and stay there for a night or two to see if it is the right fit. You wont know until you are there in person. Then go with whoever gives you the best scholarship.

only be influenced by either your passion or gut because many other outside forces will not direct you to the place that fits best for you.

I would tell them that going to your reach school may not be the best idea, if you are not willing to spend most of your time doing work. I would tell them that they should go up to random students on campus and have a conservation with them about the school, so that they get a feel for what life is like at that particular school. When visiting schools take pictures so that you can remember what each campus looked like. Ask about housing, possibly go see a room if it is allowed. See if construction is going to be conducted in the near future while you would be attending the campus. Ask about their Gen Ed programs. I would definatly do an overnight at the school, to try and get a better feel for it. Try and go during a season where the weather isn't so nice. TALK TO THE STUDENTS THERE TO SEE HOW THEY LIKE IT AND WHY THEY DECIDED TO GO THERE!