Boston University Top Questions

Just try to be open when you first arrive, the friends will come.

The number one piece of advice I have for parents in college selection process is to listen to your child. Do not pressure them to choose a specific school because you think it will be a good fit for them. Let them explore; perhaps they could even visit one or two campuses without you and stay with students who go there so that they can get a sense of what the social life is really like. Prospective students should also make sure to visit classes to see what the environment is really like. And make sure to ask around while you are on campus about the academic and social aspects of the school. You would be surprised how may people will be happy to answer your questions. Also, don't feel bad if you do not get into your first choice of schools. Chances are you will be just as happy at another school. I had a lot of friends who were excited about a school they did not know much about, but were still really upset when they did not get in. All of them are just as happy if not happier at another school.

Take your time, but don't take away your sanity. There are appropriate moments during the college years when risk-taking and spur of the moment feelings seem to be incredibly appropriate if not entirely necessary, however when choosing a college and experiencing it, neither student nor parent should take any big risks. Especially for those students who really don't have a clue what to major in, rushing things is detremential to everyone involved. On the other hand, by gnawing through college pamphlets and tossing over online college surveys, you forget to lose sight of the reason you wanted to go to an institution of higher learning altogether: to gain knowledge and experience. So even if the choice of school wasn't perfect, you will have surely gained experience in choosing a college if not knowledge about yourself and your character. It goes by quickly, and by taking your time and enjoying every little remarkable mistake you make, it is near impossible to not make the most out of the college experience.

Pick the school that feels right. Size is important, but not the size of the school, the size you feel at the school. A school may be huge, but the students feel comfortable there. Or, a student may feel lost. Visit every campus, talk to a few students, and imagine seeing yourself as a student there. Look at what a school has to offer academically - a great social life will come naturally. No school has a definitive social atmosphere, regardless of labels. Pick the school that will prepare you for life. Don't base your decision on the quality of the food. Once you're here, you stop caring. Don't base your decision on the comfort of the dorms. Even a closet could become a new home. I can't tell you not to base your decision on money, but don't let it decide your future. College is the investment of your life. If you can see yourself on campus, and the school can academically prepare you for a career, then you can be confident in your decision. Be yourself, take classwork seriously, and remember to wear sandals in the shower.

Everything works out for the best in the end. Stay positive, do the research, and rest assured that everything will turn out alright. Make sure you try hard on your SATs, do well in school, and look at a variety of different campuses to figure out what you're looking for in a school.

Nowadays, finding the right college and taking advantage of its resources is very important to students because of the many experiences and opportunities attending college can offer. To any student considering college, I would advise them to visit and do their research about the schools they are interested in. In my two years at college, I have met a surprising number of students who never even visited their school before they showed up at orientation. While some students may get lucky and end up liking a college that they've chosen blindly, others can be really disappointed with their college's resources or miserable with their social life. I would tell prospective students not only to make sure that they take tours of multiple colleges, but also to talk to students who actually go to these schools so that they can get an insider's take on the positives and negatives. Talking to current college attendees can also help prospective students figure out what clubs they might want to join or good ways to balance school and social life, so that when they get to school they can make the most out of their college experience.

My advice to parents and students finding the right college is firstly, make a list of things you are looking for in a college including location, size, area, activities that they offer, majors and classes that they offer. Secondly, make a long list of possible schools that you could see yourself goin to. Thirdly, make sure you visit the schools you are applying to, seeing the school and taking a tour or finding out more about it or even possible sitting in o a class will make the process of narrowing down the list of possible schools less difficult. Then sit down and talk about with the family and friends that mean alot to you and take in their input and ideas and work off that also. Lastly, make a final list of 5 to 10 schools that include "safety", "target", and "reach" schools. After applying directly think about financial aid options and opportunities because there are many out there. Once you get to your college be proud and try and make the most of every experience because it does fly by even though at times it may not feel that way.

My advice would be to try a few colleges out before committing to one - spend a weekend on campus with a student, or a few days wandering the campus on your own. Check out a class. Get a coffee at the local hangout. You'll get a feel for the atmosphere, and discover if you feel comfortable with the students, the environment and the general tone of the college. Once you choose your college, get involved - it's the best way to meet new friends, and to become part of the college community. Choose a club, join a sports team, or volunteer regularly with a community service group... you will really build a stronger relationship with the school you've chosen, and the students you've chosen to learn and grow with. Lastly, keep yourself grounded by remembering why you chose the school - for the academics, the amazing scenery, or the passionate people - because college is never perfect and there will be hard, frustrating, or overwhelming times. And don't forget: it's only 4 years. So take advantage of whatever your school offers, and enjoy it!

I would suggest to parents and students to be realistic with their academic ability. A school is a like being in a relationship. Like a person, each school is very unique and not every school nor person is the correct match. Money is a real issue and without financial aid, taking out personal grants is very stressful on students. Figure if it is actually worth the price tag of the institution. Remember that academics if the initial reason for attending university, but there is so much more than academics when it comes to university. There is a community, self-exploration, friendships, research, exploring unchartered territories, and much much more. Remember that the here and now is all that there is right in the moment, so it is with the best interest to make the most of it.

Spend time assessing your interests, both academically and extra-curricularly. Look for schools offering not only opportunities in these fields of interest but many more. Visit as many schools as possible. Sit in on classes. Eat in the dining hall. Talk with professors; find out how passionate they are about their students and about their field. Talk with students; find out what they like about the school but also what they dislike. Ask what they wish someone would have told them before going to college. Talk with a student who is considering transferring out and find out why. Talk with a senior and see what they are doing after they graduate. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to look far from home and close to home. Don't be limited by finances while searching for schools. Realize that transferring is an acceptable future option. Stick out the first school you choose for a full year before transferring. Don't be afraid to make friends and try new activities. Don't judge others and don't worry about being judged. Listen to your advisors. Love learning. Follow your dreams. Fear not. Embrace opportunity. Smile. Laugh. Relax.