Boston University Top Questions

If you visit schools, talk to students that aren't tour guides ? they're always willing to answer questions and you'll get a less biased view. Ask them the questions you're concerned about: size, size of classes, attitudes in student body, etc. You'll get an honest answer. With BU, a lot of people are concerned about the size. The honest answer is if you don't want to actively look for a way to fit in, it can be hard to find. But once you find it, your options are endless ? you'll see that within a group, everyone knows everyone and suddenly a school of almost 20,000 feels tiny. Don't apply to schools just because you like the cachet; there are a lot of great schools that are underrated because they don't have the history or the endowment, and they often feel they have something to prove.

The journey begins with touring different types of schools. It seems so obvious, but make sure that you don't pigeon hole yourself by repeatedly touring the same type of school. Categorize the schools that you are interested in. Three overwhelming factors that determine how a school feels are size, location and student body. You can get a feel for a school's academics by looking in a college guide book. Determine how large a school you are interested in attending, what type of environment you feel comfortable in and what type of people you want to be around. Once you figure out where you want to be, you want to make sure that you are getting the most out of what is offered. Take care of your work first. You will quickly realize that it's a lot easier to be happy at school if you take pride in your academic performance. You paid good money to learn. You will meet so many people. Resist the temptation of vieing for other's affection. Remain a strong, independent individual and people will want to befriend you. Discovering your true identity is one of the greatest aspects of going to school.

Make sure you the school is similar to the environment you grew up in. Large schools can cause depression if you grew up in a small town in the suburbs

Students should visit a variety of campuses. Try to visit city bound campus and country campus. Though it may be one of the last thoughts when looking for a school for most students, I feel the weather should be a major determining factor. If you are not a winter person you should avoid the north. If you love to ski, the north may be just the place for you. If you need to always have something going on, or at least the opportunity to do something, a city campus is for you.

Pick a university that has a diversity of majors. There is a good chance you will change your mind once you take a class or two.

Choosing the right college is all about knowing who you are as a person. Especially at Boston University, you can be whoever you want. There are so many programs available, and there is no pressure to be anybody that you aren't. Nobody will ever make fun of you for the choices you make, because there is such a diverse student body and diverse personal tastes. No matter what, the best thing that anyone can do in college is to find friends that are like them. Once you are able to find people who enjoy the same activities as you and have similar values and goals to yours, you will be comfortable and will enjoy just being who you are.

The college search can be full of emotions, disagreements, and excitement. It's easy for a family or student to become overwhelmed, but keep in mind that happiness lies at many colleges. Although, some colleges you visit or look up will just "click" with you. By visiting campuses, you can feel the atmosphere and surroundings of the school, and once in a while the feeling you get when you're walking down the sidewalk or quad of that campus feels right--like you belong. Apply to the schools that feel right even if the collge might be an admittance reach. What can you lose? Then narrow down your choices to the colleges that you can afford, see yourself at, and gain the utmost knowledge in. Take advantage of your chosen school by viewing their webpage and lists of activities. Plan ahead of time what you want to be involved in so that when you arrive at school on move-in day, you have some type of extracurricular activity to look forward to. Outside of class whether it be at club meetings, school functions, sports events, concerts, or at lunch is the best place to meet your future friends. Get involved!

I would advise to really consider the money. I found that I placed more value on the experience and opportunities, but the money problems have caught up to me. Budgeting is an issue that applicants should not ignore. I would also advise to consider the job placement opportunities and internship oppurtunities available. My experiences in the city put my resume far above those of my peers in rural colleges. However, cities are only for those who love them; some people on my campus are not really city people and usually end up transferring after having invested quite a bit of time and money.

Students: start narrowing down at least a general field of interest as early as possible. Health care? Business? Communications? This way, you don't waste time switching from major to major. Also, try to get as much EXPERIENCE as possible in that interest. Moreso than being a member of your high school's "Italian club", colleges would rather see you volunteer at a hospital if you are, for example, interested in health care. When choosing colleges, LOCATION should be first priority and THEN academic quality. If you're at Yale but HATE suburban Connecticut, then you're going to be miserable. Likewise, if you went to Columbia just for its acadmic standings but hate city life, then you should have picked a "worse" school someone you would have actually enjoyed.

Visit the places you apply, walk around, and see what feels right. You should decide based on where you can see yourself spending four years learning and growing as a person. Once you're in, get involved on campus. Any activity will do as long as you're excited about it. Have fun!