Bucknell University Top Questions

It is important in my opinion to visit the school and to do an overnight visit so you can get a feel for what the campus social life is really like. Talk to current students and get their feedback. Figure out what you would like to be involved in before you come to campus.

Visit all of the campuses and try to have a moment where it all "clicks" and you can imagine yourself there taking classes, having fun, etc.

Prospective students should defintied visit as many schools as they and and perhaps stay overnight and talk to current students. They should talk to financial advisers and get the real story on financial aid and how much extra financial aid they will need beyond what the school gives as their total cost. Make sure you can afford the school so that you do not have to be stressed out over financial aid and taking out loans. Believe me. that makes the college experience less pleasurable.

School size was a huge influence in my university choice. Larger state schools will not be able to give students the individual attention that a smaller, sometimes private university can offer. For a student craving independence, the larger schools are a fine choice, expecially if financing is an issue. It was important to me to find a personal faculty and student body that I truly related to. Having community environment made all the difference in my university choice. I didn't want to sacrifice a liberal arts experience for a technical education, and that really narrowed down my search. Finding out the difference between a large tech school and a small, liberal arts univeristy with an engineering college was very important in the identification of my top choice schools. Also, a distinctive characteristic I looked for in schools is the opportunities for campus envolvement outside of academics. I recommend asking successful students if they are able to find the time to engage in the univeristy outisde of their classes, such as sports, publications, and academic societies. Such small details make the difference between a simple college expereince and the greatest four years of your life.

Going where you feel comfortable is more important than going to a school for its reputation.

In finding the right college, the best thing you can do is visit. You won't get a feel of the campus or the student body unless you actually go there. If you can, talk to students and don't be afraid to ask questions. Staying on an overnight visit is helpful to some, so perhaps consider doing so on your visit. Once accepted to schools, you might want to visit again to get a second look. Take into consideration financial aid and how you think you want to do while in college. My primary reason for attending college was academics, so I chose a school accordingly. I am also a varsity athlete at a Division 1 school, but I decided this after I chose a school that suite me academically. Once at school, do as much as you can without spreading yourself too thin. There is so much to do and so many people to meet!

I think one of the most important thing for parents and students to remember is that there so many options. It is very important to keep an open mind, and to look at schools that may seem too far away, or obscure. You will never know if you will fall in love with a school if you never look. Also, when you do look, make sure to look closely. Sit in on a class, if possible. Stay over night. Tours and information sessions are helpful - to a point. They can never really portray what it is actually like to live at a school. Four years is much longer than an hour. College is an experience. It is not just school. The point of college is not just to learn, but to grow as well. To find your passions and your dreams. Keep your mind open to any possibilities. Colege is not a place to lock yourself away. Keep yourself free, try new things. These four years are the most freedom you will ever have. Make the most of it. Find yourself.

I would say the most important thing that the student can do is find a place that makes them feel like they are "at home." The comfort and thought of being in a place that reminds you of where you know best, a place where you would consider the epicenter of your life (does not necessarily have to actually be your home) is going to help with the transition to college. Often the transition into a new environment, surrounded with people that you barely know is overwhemling and can effect students in a multitude of ways; their feeling of safety/comfort, ability to concentrate on one's studies, and new relationships with others are highly at stake and given the right circumstances, can be a great experience altogether. One piece of advice to for students is to find friends that you know will be there for you and support you throughout the four years that you will be at school. One piece of advice for the parents is to support your children no matter what they choose to do, however do not neglect your parental duties, just because your children seem so "grown up"; they need you!

Don't think you'll know what you want to major in, you won't and you'll change and still it will not be what you really will enjoy doing post-graduation, so instead of working your ass off, have fun in college cause its all downhill from there

Having an open mind and be willing to try things that you normally would not. College is a place for experimentation and growth so be sure to go out and do what you think is best.