Biola University Top Questions

I would recommend that students participate in a variety of experiences and programs during the summer to identify what they like. Once they know what their passion is, seek colleges and universities that are the leaders in that field. Next, I would highly recommend that parents and students visit the campus, especially on an Open House day, so they can experience what it would be like to actually go there. Lastly, I would arrange for the student to speak with a professor at that college, so the students knows what to look forward to and be given an opportunity to receive valuable insight and advice. By following these recommendations, I am positive the student would have all the tools at hand to make the most of their future college experience.

My advice would be to go and "feel out" the campus. Find out what your first impression of the campus is and look at the students and how they interact with eachother. Also, i would make sure the college is in an area that allows for access to entertainment so there is an outlet to balance off the studying. I believe the college experience is all about who you spend it with. Friends are key and i woul make sure the college that is selected provides the prospective student with caring and meaningful friendships; something that also can be felt out during the campus visit.

Many factors contribute to selecting your college choice: cost, location, majors offered, academic vigor, scholarships, and much more. These, among others, are vital aspects to peruse when deciding what location you will be living, eating, breathing for the next two-four (cross your fingers it?s not five!) years. But you already knew all of that, right? Look into some college websites and all of this survey-type information is easily available?but there is much more to college than just statistics. It will be where you live and move, the very heart of what pulls and stretches every inch of your being; it will be where you learn and grow, moving from the end of childhood into the first steps of adulthood. This is a big deal?so go to the place! If possible, visit the location of your top picks and actually step into the photographs you saw online. Breathe the air of the campus, feel the vibe of the student body, talk to current students, eat in the cafeteria, and check out those dormitories. What does your heart tell you? Set foot on campus and see if it is where you belong?you won?t regret it.

I would encourage that both parents and students visit as many campuses as possible and while there ask as many questions as possible so that they leave the campus with a really good feel for and idea of how campus life is. Ultimately I would encourage that parents and students thoroughly discuss all possible options that would best suit the interests of the student physically, emotionally, spiritually and of course financially. All four of the areas are vital and can either make or break the "college experience."

Before attending Biola Univeristy I was enrolled at UC San Diego for a year. Through this experience I am able to compare the well known UC system education with what a private University offers. When I began my search for colleges my head was in the clouds and I convinced myself that the most important aspect to look at when making my decision was the location of the school and how highly respected the University was held. The advice I would give perspect students and parents would be to not negate these aspects however broaden their perspective. The school that a student chooses should resonate with their personality and ambitions on nearly every level. If the student enjoys a close relationship with the professor then a UC school or IVY legal University would not be a wise decision. In addition take into consideration the cost and work with the financial aid departments to find the best payment plan for the family. There is not experience like the one you will gain from a college education so I urge future students and parents to find comfort in the choice and if there is any hesitation research some more colleges.

Choose a school that offers the most in spirituality, academics, sports, teachers, and student body a good mix of these is better than just a few. When you are at school partake in all activities studying abroad, chapel, library, student activites, sports, off campus fun, and anythign else that is offered.

The atmosphere and community of the college you will attend is almost as important as the academics. When I was searching for schools, this was NOT the attitude I had as I bulldozed by way through my college search. Academic reputation and the success and help of a strong alumni network were my sole driving factors. No where in the equations was I considering that my college of choice would not only be my home for the next 4 years of my life, but that those that I met, lived with, and expereinced these precious years with would have just as much of a profoun impact upon the development of my life and character as any mentorship with a professor or any other member of the University. I can confidently say that I have made friends that will last a lifetime, and could not be more emphatic about my college decision (which did, by the end of my Senior Year of high school, finally take these realities of school community and atmosphere into consideration).

I would say that they should take the time to find a place where the student feels at home. A place whose mission statement is in agreement with the student's views on life and thier education. It is also good to go somewhere away from home, because college is a time in life where one goes through a lot of growing and maturing and the ability to do this without the influence of familiarity of their friends and family is important. In college, one discovers who they are and what they stand for. It is very important to surround oneself with the type of people that they respect and would like to be like. The friends made in college can last a life time if they are built on solid foundations. All in all, my advice would be to go where one sees themself flourishing academically, socially, and spiritually, so that they may become the person they are supposed to be.

You truly do "get what you give" when it comes to the college experience. A college-bound student can expect to experience exactly what they set out to experience. It will overall be influenced by the relationships they form, the education they gain, and the amount of fun they have. To make the most of the college experience, a student should carefully invest in all three of these areas. Taking risks is necessary for forming meaningful relationships. Working hard and signing up for a reasonable work load each semester will allow you to learn much without unnecessary stress. Also, to ensure that the college experience is fun, an ability to prioritize and to minimize anxiety is necessary. The college experience is one that can be eye-opening and rewarding if a student is willing to invest.

If I could talk to any prospective college students or their parents I would have to pieces of advice for them. The first would be to take some general education courses at a community college. Even if itis for a quarter, getting gen eds out of the way can open a student's schedule for more exploring if they are uncertain about their major and can help those that are sure of their major to be more focused on their field of study. Community courses also can save alot of money for a family or student. My second piece of advice would be that a student should carefully consider what is most important to them concerning their education and their preferred living style and environment. Many students switch schools after their first year and then regret it later. Don't let it happen to you!