Boston College Top Questions

Although today, we, as Americans, face an economically trying time it is important to still put your son or daughter?s needs first. College may only be a four year fraction of their lives; however, depending on the college or university the memories will last a lifetime and the degree will bring opportunity for a lifetime. Every college will have sporting events, parties and other social activities as well as academic adventures, but where the schools differ are how easy they make the students adjustment from living at home going to high school classes 7am till 3pm compared to living away from their loved ones and having a sporadic schedule of events. The university that makes the adjustment period easiest for a student will have the student academically focused sooner and give them the ability to gain friendships faster. Once the adjustment period ends, in order to make the most out of college, the student needs to let his guard down and be open to new things such as joining interesting clubs. Finally and most importantly keeping your dorm room door open for visitors because you never know when the friend of a lifetime may pop in.

I would definitely advise visiting the college and doing as much research as you can to find out if you would be a good fit for the school. Also, visit many schools to get an idea of what you do or don't like so you can narrow down the selection. I would talk to students or faculty at the school to get a better sense of what the school is like and if it is something you are looking for. Make sure it has the resources you want or need and that you can definitely see yourself attending the school and enjoying it. To make the most out of the college experience, try and learn as much as you can and get to know people on a different level. Everyone has something to offer and there is so much to learn-embrace it!

To discover the most about each college that the student has been accepted to. Do not jump to conclusions because of money or academic rankings.

My advice would be to thoroughly research the schools you are applying to. Make a list of the things that are most important to you in choosing a school and narrow your search down that way.I suggest when visiting a campus, take time to walk around alone or with your family after a guided tour and try to get a feel for the vibe or energy of the school. Talk to students, ask for directions, you will get a feel for the campus by how helpful students are around campus. Once you're accepting into schools, make a list of pros and cons to help you decide. Make the campus' energy a category in the 'pro/con' list. To make the most of the college experience, get involved and work hard. Appreciate how much the college experience is broadening your horizons and teaching you to be a unique and independent individual. College is also about finding your best lifelong friends, learning to roll with the punches and finding out what excites you, what you are passionate about. College can only be done once, so make the most of everyday.

Seek out professors while you're applying and once you get to school. They can help you understand what a university is like, and they'll help you get connected to academic and social networks once you get there.

As a student athlete, my best advice to future students and parents looking at colleges is to always make sure to choose a school for the right reasons. While athletics may certainly factor into a decision, at the end of the day, the most important thing is that the student chooses a school they can see themselves attending with or without their sport of choice. Coaches may leave, injuries may occur, and passion for the sport may fade. If any of these were to happen and you subsequently took athletics out of the picture, would you have any regret about making the choice you did? As far as making the best of your experience, always remember the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side." Many friends will come home telling you how great their first year was, and its important to keep things in perspective. Its easy for stories become "larger than life," and its rare to hear about all the negative aspects happening at another University. Take one visit to a friend's school, and I'm sure you'll find things there that make you appreciate where you chose to attend.

Visit colleges where yopu want to live. Reach high and do a lot of research. Don't go crazy with applaications. Apply to a reasonable number, a couple reach a couple mid, and a couple safeties.

Having transferred from one university to another in the state, I believe I understand what contributes to running a superior university from a student's perspective. I advise those parents and students seeking a university compatible with their academic and social interests to first decide concretely on what those interests are. I transferred colleges primarily because my own interests changed in the past four years - there is a good chance they will for others. You need to feel comfortable and welcome at college! As a graduating senior, I have also come to appreciate the importance of a strong career services department to the college experience. Although I attend a fairly prestigious college, there is more to finding an entry-level job than the name of your school. I would further recommend that students attend a college or university with a broad spectrum of academic departments. Having changed from seeking a liberal arts degree to graduating with a business degree, I appreciate the diversity of study at my school.

Finding the right college involves time, research, and commitment. It may take all of senior year and may even continue into that freshman year after you thought you had already found the right college. My advice to parent's and prospective students is to make sure the student has been exposed, or actually visted and experienced the different college milieu's. Be patient. College campuses vary in all shapes and sizes and there are many factors to consider from transportation, work availabilty, to the size of the classroom. All of these aspects interrelate and there needs to be an appropriate balance to fully enjoy college as a whole. Finances are of the absolute necessity and students and parents should make sure that the student can afford all four years and make sure they choose a school where this is a possibility. Finances can significantly affect how much of the college life from the learning to the social living that the student is able to participate in. Extracurriculars outside of the classroom, such as a job, club, sport teams, are of the utmost important in making friends. Also, remember, drinking buddies are not real buddies. Form friendships first.

The brand name of the college does not nearly matter enough as the people and the environment of the college. Even if you work so hard to get into the school of your dreams, if you don't have any chemistry or friends at that college, you're paying for four years of mediocrity. Of course everyone wants to go to an famous college but keep in mind: Each student body is different, and these are the people you will be surrounded by for the rest of your college career. Choose wisely. College is more than just academics, so your choice should be based on more than just numbers and grades.

It's easier to make an imperfect school for you work in a perfect city for you than the other way around. Be sure to understand where you'll be living.

Find a place that has many opportunities for you to do self-exploration and discover what you love and what you are passionate about. During the next four years you will grow and change and mature in ways that you can't possibly think of when you're a senior in high school, so leave some wiggle room for yourself. If you're choosing between your dream school that's a lot of money and a mediocre school with a full scholarship, go to the dream school. You will never regret waking up every day to a place that you love. You have your whole life to worry about money and responsibility, use your college career to experiment and try new things. Once you're in college, don't ever stop questioning things. Don't settle for a B, but don't spend 36 hours hyped on caffeine. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. If you never try, you'll never learn. You'll never regret making a mistake and learning from it, but you will regret living with the "what if". Spend college finding out who you are, and never stop believing in yourself. Be excellent.

It is very important to speek with someone who already attends the school and try to spend a day or two on campus, staying in a student dorm to get a better idea of what campus life is like.

You need balance in everything. While a top school may be great, you really need to find the right one. Being driven in high school doesn't always translate perfectly in college, there are countless distractions and adjustments. Spend time on campus, make sure you think you will enjoy the culture and the community, because that is what will help you acheive what you want. Stats about the school are good, but the people and teachers matter more. Big schools also may seem intimidating but they quickly will being a tight community that would make it seem much smaller. You ave to go to campus, meet people, and make sure you can work hard and play hard there, a good balance.

a lot of small achools can be a repeat of high school - clicky and lots of gossip. it is also easier to avoid a social scene that is completely alcohol based if the school is near a city, or has public transportation so that there are things to do off campus. At the same time, if you want the "college" atmosphere, then it is important to find a school that is not in the middle of the city. BC, in the suburbs, is perfect in this regard.

Let the student choose where he/she wants to go... they are the ones that will be going to class, living on campus and experience college, not the parents. If money is the issues, find ways to finance college.

Don't stay at home. Try something different and see what the country (and world) have to offer. There's a lot out there and you won't get to experience it if you stick to your roots.

Where to begin? Well, if you're like me and happen to be the first of your family (parents included) fumbling their way through the college process (applications, finances, etc), you have a lot of work to do. But you must do what you can to keep college from becoming a chore. Delegate the responsibility of your education with those closest to you. Keep your parents as involved as possible. Don't be put off by the sticker price of an education. The average private school is going to cost you $25k+ a year--but there are a million different scholarship and grant opportunities out there to alleviate the stress of paying for college (and the subsequent student loans). Have fun, make friends, and don't compromise your beliefs to fit in or placate others (there will be plenty of opportunities to do so). Your niche is there; you just have to look. Embrace your school's colors--real and imaginary. Learn HOW to study. Think about that last statement, then ask upperclassmen to clarify it for you. Don't drink every weekend. Lastly, know how lucky you are to be in school and make it count.

The most important thing for choosing the right college is thinking about the first impression that the school makes upon you. If the atmosphere feels right and is something that really intrigues you, chances are that the next 4 years at that particular school are going to be the best of your life thus far. It's also important while making sure that th eacademics are going to challenge you, but not too much, that you take into consideration things happening around campus all the time. Do you want to be involved in volunteer programs but also be an avid sports fan? There are so many things to do on a college campus that you really can't go wrong with whatever choice you make. If you can see yourself there, as part of that community and involved in the very things that you see going on during a tour, chances are that it is the right place for you and will be a great fit.

Pay attention to colleges that aren't your first pick. Each campus offers its own, unique environment. Jesuit colleges often have great faculties who care about its students - and they don't force religion onto their students