Augsburg College Top Questions

To all of you who are in the process of looking for a college or about to start that process some things that you should definitely consider. One thing I personally didn't do is go and tour all the colleges I was interested in. Another thing that you as a high school student going into college should know and something that I have been told for the past 2 years, be selfish. If you want to go out of state do it don't let anyone or anything hold you back. As a freshman in college I now want to transfer to a school far away from home. So look at all your options and don?t let anything constrict those. Your college years are meant to be fun, yet they will only be as fun as you allow it!

The first and most important thing to do is find a College that is affordable and has the size you want. The affordability will keep a lot of stress off your mind and the size is important because it greatly effects your experience. Secondly, make sure they offer an extra-curricular that you enjoy. Extra-curriculars are the easiest way to make new life long friends. The last thing that must be done is enrolling at a school with dorms. Dorms allow students the chance for a full college experience. All those things combined are the important ways to prepare for school, but once it starts nothing can compete with a good attitude. Keep the attitude up and college will be a blast and just might teach you a thing or two.

Find somethin that feels good to you. Something that feels like you are at the right place. When you find this place, work hard hard hard! Do everything in your power to get good grades and pay for as much of your school as you can while you are in school. It will make it so much easier on you when you are done. Like my dad has always told me, work hard and everything else will just fall into place.

Live on campus if you can afford it and get ivolved in sports and/or clubs. That will help you to meet people and make lifelong memories.

Choosing a college is daunting, yet I don't regret either my initial decision or my decision to transfer. You will never know if it was the right choice until you've experienced the school. Even then, various factors make it impossible to say with 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} certainty, "I would never choose this school again." I believe that even one influencial faculty member can make a school a success for an individual. Even if you are undecided on a major, decide on one goal for your first year of college (such as getting involved volunteering or studying something new) and focus on finding a college that offers you multiple opportunities for accomplishing this goal. I am not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} satisfied with former college, it is academically unchallenging and unorganized, but I made connections professors and professionals in the city becasue I sought after my own goals without waiting for a school to do it for me. You are going to college to grow as an individual, this takes personal effort. Stop worrying about finding the one perfect school - it doesn't exist. College is just there to offer you options. Focus on the options, not the school's reputation or pricetag.

Follow your gut. Go where it feels right. Don't just go to a school because you think it is the best school, go to a school that you can feel is the right school for you. You will know the feeling.

YOU GOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY.

I think the most important thing about finding the right college for you is to make sure you feel comfortable. If the people there are welcoming and easy to talk to, I think that that extends to the vibe of the entire college. However, overall, intelligent, friendly, challenging professors are to me, the most important aspect of a great college experience. They are what make or break a college experience. You will always remember a professor who challenged you to think in a new and exciting way long after you forget about the class that was "easy."

Don't judge a book by its cover. On the outside a college may look plain and boring, but you never know unless you actually look into it. My first choice was not Augsburg, but once I stepped on campus I feel in love with it.

Work together with your children to make this the best experience possible. Even though they are now adults do not just write them off, help them in any way you can.

"To thine own self, be true!" You have to find a school that makes you feel absolutely comfortable when you first set foot on campus. Trust me, you'll know!

Augsburg was the only school that I applied to and visited. Most people felt that this wasn't a smart choice, but I visted Augsburg my junior year of high school and I just knew it was the school for me. So I braved it and applied there, my mom felt that there was no reason to apply to another college if Augsburg was where I wanted to go, if I didn't get in then I would just go to a community college for a year and try again. I worked in Admissions at Augsburg for 3 of the 4 years I was at Augsburg. I advocate that you visit a school multiple times, sit in on classes, stay over, get to know the professors in the department that you are wanting to study in. It will help you find which school is your best fit, I found that students who put in the effort to investigate their top three schools really found out which one best suited them. Follow your heart, it will guide you to the right place.

Figure out if you want huge class sizes or smaller ones. I really enjoyed having smaller class sizes because professors would help you out a lot more.

- visit campuses as much as you can - talk to recent alumni about their experiences at the college - check out activities provided

take your time and follow your gut instinct

Take time to reserach and visit all of the schools- it is an important decision and you should feel confident with the one you make. Encourage your children to look into a variety of different schools, in different locations. I thought I knew I wanted a small private liberal arts school in a small city, turns out I couldn't stand it and needed to be in a city. Parents- try to put your opinions aside (ie: you want your child to be close to home, you think they would do best in a big school, etc). Yes, you know your children well, be part of the process, but realize that this is their future and they have to be happy, not you. Make sure the school has a good study abroad and a career/internship office. These are importatnt for you, especially the latter as it will help you when you graduate. Also, always try to spend the night on the campus so you get a feel for the living, eating, night life there. A lot of the college decision seems to be random and in the end left to feelings, make sure you felt comfortable with your decision.

When deciding on a college or university, it is highly important that one tours the institutions before making a final decision. There one can explore the campus and its surroundings and meet with faculty members to get a feel for the type of community the school supports and what one can expect from the classes taught and extra curriculars and clubs offered. In addition, do not simply choose a school based on words, but rather, on sincerity and interest in the actual student. Comfort is the key! If one is not comfortable with the school's environment, focusing on one's studies and maintaining a healthy social life become difficult. Obviously price and location plays a factor as well, but the comfort, education and brighter future obtained thereby is a justified reason for the money paid. Once again, though, comfort is an absolute must.

Try to go and visit the college campus. Really, it's important. Don't go to a college just because they give you financial aid. Be sure to do your research on their academic offerings. Even if you don't know your focus is, find things that interest you. You can't be too cautious with chosing the right school: if something doesn't feel 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} right, go over it again. College is expensive, and you don't want to feel like you're wasting your money. If the first year doesn't work, transfer (that's okay to do!)

The best way to get to know a college is talking to those who attend it. I strongly suggest that when visiting a college ask students about their professors, the campus life, and classes. In addition it is important to realize that it is possible to transfer, and many people do. If you do not feel that a college is a good fit once you are find a new college. Everybody makes deciscions differently, I choose my college because it felt right to me. I strongly feel that my choice paid off, however in selecting a college each person has to decide what is most important to them. One of my biggest struggles was worrying about paying for college. The price of a college should not be the factor in selecting which one to attend. I am a first generation student who grew up in a poor family, however I decided that the college I decided to attend is an expensive private college. With enough effort anything is possible nothing should stand between an individual and the college of their dreams.

Plan ahead with financing.