Boston University Top Questions

The advice i would five parents would be not to pressure their kids into going to a school that they would want them to go to or a school that they attended. Don't pressure them to go to a very difficult school if they don't think that they will be ready for it. I believe that their children should concentrate on getting better grades then killing themselves to get good grades because they went to a more difficult school. Helping to match their capabilities with a school that will bring these skills out is the best choice. Parents shouldn't put too much pressure on their children and be supportive instead of negative about the whole college experience. Emphasis on school work and doing well is a good thing but not when it becomes a nagging, and annoying process that weighs the student down. Students should definitely visit the school that they are going to first to get a feel of the atmosphere and people. They should be sure of what kind of school they would like to attend and go with their instinct about picking a school because in the end they will be the ones attending.

Students should have a clear understanding of who they are and identify needs, career objectives, and expectations for college life before selecting the appropriate college environment for them.

When searching for a college, keep in mind what your personal needs are and base your decision on whether or not each college you research will fulfill all of them. It is important that the college you choose not only cater to your academic needs and career goals, but your psychological and social needs as well. Look forthe college that you know you will be happy at, because then you are guaranteed to be successful in academics and in life. The school you choose will be where you will attend for the next four years, so whether or not you decide to live on campus, make sure you have envisioned yourself there and see yourself being perfectly happy and healthy.

Pick the area of the country and size of the school. If private, consider the loans you might have to carry. Is the school diversified in courses of study and student population. I stayed close to home so felt I was away at school but still had access to home and friends.

Make sure to visit the school to really get a feel for the people, atmosphere, and surrounding area. An education can be obtained anywhere, it is important, however, to make sure you are comfortable and happy where you spend the next 4 years of your life.

Students should know that going to a private school is overrated unless you have a substantial scholarship. Furthermore, make sure that BU does a good job finding jobs for people with your major.

I would recommend visiting the school your junior year and spending a night or two there with another student in order to get the actual feel for the school's environment. I would sit in on a class and ask questions, ask about the social life, the rules on campus, the career center and financial aid. Take a trip around campus and its surroundings to ensure that you will have enough to do on the weekends, things that will keep you active and not enclosed simply to campus-activities. You should feel as though there is more to do than just college parties on the weekends. Once at school, make as many friends as you can your freshman year, put yourself out there and talk to people, chances are they'll be glad you did. It is important not to judge anyone when first entering school as you never know how much you will change or how much you may have in common with someone even when not expecting it. Go out and challenge yourself, try new things, you'll find that you grow as quickly as within the first month of being away from home, embrace the change.

Look for strong academic credentials and reasonable financial aid. Determine ahead of time whether the amount of financial aid offered is constant from year-to-year, and whether tuition is scheduled to rise. If so, the frequency and extent of these increases should be evaluated. It may be difficult to ascertain without speaking to those already attending, but certainly worth the effort. Also important is whether the student will live on campus or commute to classes. I strongly advise in favor of living on campus for a number of reasons. The first is practicality: proximity to classes, professors, administrative offices and school facilities is essential, especially during the first year when students are typically adjusting to a different lifestyle. The second reason is a social one for those interested in making longterm friendships and partaking in the college experience. The best places to live, especially as a freshman, are large dormitories where the atmosphere is friendly and the administration sponsors activities which are important in creating bonds with peers. Although it may seem undesirable to share living quarters, dining halls, etc., with so many others, it is the surest way to make friends and enjoy your time at college.

It is very important to make a decision after you have obtained all the posible information about the school. Go online, see pictures, visit the campus, talk to past studentas and even read college guides to make sure the place is suttable for you. Make sure you know the school activities, clubs and even class information. College has a lot to offer for everyone; with and with a positive and open attitude toward new experiences college can be an amazing time to learn and have fun.

I would tell them to step out of their comfort zone a little. College is the perfect time to experience new things and life in a new place. So, when looking for the right college think about living somewhere where you'll get to experience things different from what you're used to because you may never get the chance to experience a city in this way again. It's also very important to look to look at the majors available as well as the class/campus sizes. I made sure that there were a lot of options for majors just in case I changed my mind, which I did! I terms of making the most of the college experience you just have to remember to never pass on trying something new. I've developed so much as a person from learning from the new people I've met and going out and experiencing the city. I would also highly recommend going to spend time with roommates or new friends at thier homes and inviting them to yours. People in college come from around the world and it's a great bonding and learning experience to visits their homes.

Overall, it all comes down to where you feel comfortable. A school could be great for you on paper, but if you feel out of place when you step on campus, it is imperative to pay attention to that feeling. Chances are that if you feel that way at the get go, it's not going to get any better. I would strongly encourage you to try to find the school that is right for YOU, because YOU are the one who has to spend the next four years of your life there. In trying to decide where to go, make a list about what you're looking for in a school: humanities or sciences; big or small; rural or urban; close to home or far? Definitely try to pick the school that you feel fits you best, but also keep in mind that you're going to change during your college years, and that's great! Just try to pick a school that will inspire and allow you to change in good ways. Go somewhere that you feel good about, but don't assume that the school is everything: college is what you make of it!

the best college for you is where the student feels its the right fit. only go where the studnet feels comfortable, no one else not parents or teachers. what is right for the student

Get a feel for what you're looking for ? city campus, suburban campus, size, programs offered, etc. There are so many grear schools out there, you don't need to look at ones that you know you wouldnt like. Get involved, meet people. Don't skip class if you can avoid it. Go to office hours. Participate in class. Talk to guest speakers and befriend RAs and security guards.

College isn't everything. If you have to take a year off and really find yourself, it's an investment in yourself and your ideals.

When you're choosing a college, make sure you challenge yourself a bit. I come from a small town where I knew everyone in my graduating class, but I chose to go to a city at a university that enrolls over 30,000 students each year. By pushing myself, I was able to become more independent and face my fears of being in a new environment with a very diverse population. Not everyone should attend this large of a school, but you should realize that it is not only important to feel comfortable at the college you choose, but also to challenge yourself both as a person and academically. The decision is yours only, so don't let a boyfriend or friend sway your decision. You will be happier and more successful in the end if you challenge yourself. Wherever you may decide, try new things. Maybe you'll love them, maybe you'll hate them. But, even if you hate them you may find a great friend while you were there. Take as many classes as you can and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy. Good luck!

Make sure you do a campus tour and talk to students that attend the school to make sure it's the right place for you!

Choosing the perfect school for a person is a cooperative effort between parent and child. It's important that when first looking at colleges that the tuition is not priority. The student should attend a college that he feels the most comfortable with. If he attends a school that he doesn't want to go to (and is just plain affordable), he's not going to work as hard as he would other wise. The main reason why we go to school is to get an education, but we can't forget to have fun too. Education comes first, but college is also a time to grow up or let the student grow up. College is an opportunity to learn new things, but also learn who we are inside.

I would tell people that in order to have a great college experience you must learn to live outside yourself, and break the boundaries you may have created for yourself throughout your life. Once you get to college you are thrown into an environment most people have never experienced before. It is important to be yourself, and remember where you came from, in order to branch out and meet new people and have new experiences. I would also say be prepared for whatever may come your way, because the school part of college seems to be the easiest.

Be sure that when you visit schools, you talk to students (NOT the campus tour guide. They love their school so much they get paid to talk about it.). You want an unbiased, honest opinion and that only comes from people who don't know you. My dad always pushed me awkwardly to do this, but it was how I discovered that many kids at NYU fill out the paperwork to transfer schools within their first semester. It eliminated my top choice, and now I couldn't be happier.

I would tell parents to listen to their kids and let them look at any school, regardless of price or location. I would tell students to visit every campus before they apply while classes are in session (i.e. no summer or christmas break students)- students can really get a grasp of campus life and of their future classmates by observing current students.