Boston University Top Questions

Don't be afraid to take a chance. Even if it's not your first choice, go with your gut. It could be the best decision of your life. And don't think your necessarily "stuck" wherever you choice to go. It's your life - play by your own rules! Make the best of what you can. And definitely get involved! Make friends, be active. Study hard, work hard and enjoy life and live it to its fullest potential.

Finding the right college is an extremely important process. Make sure you take your time and really look into each and every school. The first thing you should think about is the size of the school. There are monumental differences between large and small schools, so be sure to make a list of pros and cons then eliminate whichever schools you think might not be the right fit size-wise. Extracurricular activities are a great way to meet amazing people with similar interests and everyone should at least try going to a few meetings. Sports events are also an excellent form of bonding with your fellow students and feeling a sense of school pride, especially at large schools. Either way, college is a learning experience so whichever school you choose, make sure you exhaust all of the opportunities because when you graduate, you want to be able to say that you got the most out of your college and education.

Always visit the campus before making a decision. Regardless of reputations, programs, rankings, and all of the other data admissions offices throw at prospective students, the most important thing is that you feel like you fit when you visit the campus and you know that you will be successful and happy.

Finding the right school is both important for yourself and for your parents; that was not my thought either when choosing to attend Boston University. It seemed more important for me to go to a school I wanted to attend rather than the ones my parents had hoped I would choose. When considering what school is the right one for you, consider the following things: it is important that you find a school where you will be both socially confident and comfortable with the academic challenges. Find a school that offers programs in your interests and take that in mind over the overall ranking of the school. It was my own personal mistake in not fully considering tuition costs. I have financially burdened my parents with the expenses of BU, and the cost of living in Boston. Consider the financial situation of your parents in your decision, or speak with someone from the financial aid office at the school before making up your mind. College is an awesome experience, it is my opinion that no matter what school you attend, it is what you make it!

Go visit the compus and maybe attend a class and come with a list of questions to discuss with students, not necessarily the guide. If you do not know what area of study you lean towards, look at schools that have enough areas you can transfer into. If you can not afford a particular school and you don't receive financial aid, have a second choice school.

When choosing a college, visit many different campuses and go with where you feel the most comfortable. Often times the best school for you will simply feel right. Talk to students, tour guides, and administrators, and ask questions about the school and student life. In order to make the most of your college experience, study hard and join in different extracurricular activities. Join a club sports team, cultural club, music group, or school related group. Take advantage of the opportunities the school presents such as guest lecturers, performances, tutors, and free coffee. Find a place in the library that is most comfortable for your study preferences and go there often. Explore the area around your school - take a trip into the city, walk around campus, try new restaurants. Go to your professors' office hours: get to know them, and utilize the help they offer. Be open to meeting new people, and meet as many people as you can. Make friendships that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. And most importantly, learn as much as you can within those four years.

It's a once in a life time experience. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into because it'd be a shame to go somewhere half-heartedly only to regret or find out that you don't love it. Love it going in, love it even more coming out. If you don't get in the first time, work it hard and then transfer! I't about finding your community, involving yourself with the right kind of people to follow in the footsteps of, a place to best find and make yourself in.

really go to the campus and watch people. do the people seem like the kind of people you would be friends with? sit in on a class and see if you are interested in the teaching style in the particular school you are applying to. find out about activities you are interested in and see if they are offered on campus. spend the night with a friend there, if possible. experience the nightlife and make sure it's what you want.

Do your research. Visit schools. Read up on student ratings. Sometimes you think you know yourself and what is best for you, but you can be surprised by your change.

I would advise parents to listen to their kids and what they want in the school; you can't make a decision for them. It's hard to say whether a school will be what you expect prior to enrolling, so I think people need to try to be relaxed about the decision process as much as they can, and remember that no decision is final. Many people transfer and are more aware of themselves after having had the experience of something that wasn't right for them. The admission and decision process can be extremely stressful, and make sure that you're giving adequate support - but not pressure - to your child in this time. Things will work out, and college should be secondary to a person's overall wellbeing anyway - so relax!

It doesn't matter where you go, it matters what you make out of it. Networking is very important.

Definitely visit the campus, talk to as many current students as possible. Visit campus without parents, or spend a night with someone who lives on campus without parents because that's how the real experience will be. Sit in on a class!

Finding the right college is really about knowing who you are and what you value, so I would encourage students who are trying to find the right college to make a list of their interests and hobbies. For as much as college is about academic success, from my experience, students will get more out of their education if they feel settled and comfortable in their environment. Finding a college that fits your interests, both academically and leisurely, will ease the high school-to-college transition. Additionally, I urge students to find a niche at school right away, whether it is a sport, a club, a society or an organization. Getting involved builds the sense of pride you take in your university and can make any school, no matter the size, feel more personal. Last, students should be aware that college is a time of self-discovery, so try something new, get out of your comfort zone, push yourself. You will never regret it.

Go with your gut and really think about what you are looking for in a school; if you like a school but it doesn't have what you are looking for, then it isn't for you. definitely consider the importance and popularity of greek life-if it isn't for you, don't go there.

Don't worry about the money. So many people get into good schools and don't accept because they think they can't pay for it. I am proof that this is not true. My parents could never afford for me to be at BU, and BU didn't offer me anything because my parents make just enough money for the University to consider us not eligible for financial aid. I may be $100,000 in debt, but come May I will have a degree from a great university, and I'm going to be able to pay that back in no time. I feel sad for people who don't take opportunites when they open up due to money issues.

I would advise students to choose a school that is economically suitable to their needs. Be practical. I enrolled into a very expensive university and now, in my junior year, I'm regretting. After high school, I wanted to experience the city life and I am happy to say I've done so. In the end, weigh out what's important to you and hope you make the best decision. For parents, all you need to do is support your kid's decision. My parents have constantly remind me how expensive my school is and how they wished I didn't go to Boston University. Even though it has taken me three years to realize the financial burden I will soon face upon graduation, their ridicule doesn't serve any good.

Everything happens for a reason; an acceptance, a rejection, an A or and F. They all shape the person you are and the person you will become. So, stay focused best you can on the things that you can control, such as your involvement in school activities or how hard you work in high school. Other than that, take things as they come and follow your heart.

Go somewhere where you feel comfortable and where you like the people. Go to college where you will like to live or spend a few years and where you think you fit in - where the classes excite you and are the right size for you. Try out the clubs and extracurricular activities and take a variety of classes to find otu what you like and have fun!

The most important thing is to find professors in the field that you are interested in that can motivate you and inspire you. These professors will help you make the most of your time in college and will help you after you graduate.

Visit colleges before applying. Apply for everything as early as possible, and apply to lots of private financial aid. Get to know your professors by going to office hours as much as possible. Try to develop a rough plan for your life after college well before you graduate.