Cedar Crest College Top Questions

Choosing a college is likely one of the most important academic decisions a person makes throughout their lifetime. Having said that, there are several things that need to be taken into consideration. First of all, the student needs to choose whatever it is that makes them happy when they are selecting a major. From what I have seen, it's more important to be mediocre in a subject that truely enthralls you and captures your attention, rather than excelling at a subject that makes you unhappy. While many academics and parents may disagree, I feel that there is no reason to major in something if you do not enjoy it. Your major is determining factor in your future career, and 30-40 years is a long time to spend in an unsatisfying career. Another important factor is environment and distance. If the student is painfully shy and grew up in a small town, a large campus may intimidate them and hinder them socially and academically. Social butterflies may feel stifled on smaller campuses and flourish on larger campus. Once the student finds the right college, they should be willing to branch out and try new things and meet new people.

Go with your gut.

When I was deciding on a college, I knew that wherever I went would need to have the major I in which was interested It limited my options a bit, and I ultimately chose the school from my list of "major-friendly colleges" that I was pretty confident would accept me. It seemed like the most practical decision I could make. One of the most important lessons after I arrived at college is that a lot of other students had chosen our school for similar reasons. Many of us ended up discontent with our college experience and/or transferred to another college or university, as we realized that, outside of the majors we had wanted, it really was not a good fit at all. My best advice for anyone looking to attend college is to take your time observing the actual campus community and see if it would be enough to keep you happy even without your current major of choice. Even if there are other campuses nearby, it will still make a huge difference in your college experience if you don't have anything but academics to keep you at your own school.

I f eel that in choosing the right college you need to look at the location, the size, the extracurricular activities, and the living situations. There are many types of colleges out there so you do not need to settle some place if you are not fully comfortable there. As for making the most of your college experience, I would make sure to balance your school work with your social life. It is key to keep a planner and make sure you stay up to date with school assignments and not procrastinate. I personally work very hard with school but give myself a few nights a week to relax with friend and destress. That is the way to survive!

Sleep over.

I would just say to really think about what you want to get from your education and options you think you might want after you graduate that the college you choose can offer you. It's also important to look at the campus size, the parking options at your campus, especially if you are a commuter. It's also really important to go to the campus and walk around without being part of a tour to get the experience of what it will be like when you're there your freshman year.

Find a school that fits your personality. Also, take the time to do your research. What do I want to study? What kind of social activities do I want surrounding me? These are important questions that will help you choose the right school and enjoy it.

I would suggest that parents and students tour many different colleges and talk to professors and students at the school they are interested in. Once accpeted and attending the college I would tell the student to get involved in on campus clubs and organizations. They are a great way to get to know people and often there are a wide range of activities offered.

So much focus these days is placed on putting ourselves or our children into the "best" college -- the most prestigious, the most well-known, etc. What's most important, though, is finding the college that best fits a combination of your or your child's needs as a scholar AND as a person. Think about personality, think about needs, think about resources, not just a name. Once there, use what's available to you! Find out what resources your college offers and take advantage of them -- you'll be glad you did. Also, don't make the mistake of limiting yourself to your campus. Even small towns have a unique character to them, and if you're near a city, don't let the temptation to use what's closest to keep you from experiencing the sights and sounds of the big world beyond your campus gates.

The best advice that I could give parents or students who are looking for the right college is to go with your gut and not worry about the cost. Write out a list of things that you want in a school and see which of your choices best fits what you want. Be sure to visit the school because otherwise you really won't be able to judge what the school has, or if you like it or not. Also don't base your decision on money because there are scholarships, loans, and financial aid to help you. Even though a school is expensive it may be the right school for you, and there is nothing worse than going to a school because it is cheaper. In the end you want to have a great college experience and that is truly worth the extra money, because there is nothing that can compare to a great college experience.