Colby College Top Questions

The most important thing you can do while searching for a college is to interact with and talk to student who actually go to the school. The guide books and the tour guides will give you lots of factual information but the students will tell you what you really want to know. Ask them anything, they will likely be happy to answer. Go on an overnight stay.

my main peice of advice for parents and perspectve students is to take you time in looking at schools. Dont be distracted by school rankings and noteriety. Follow your gut.

Finding the ?right? college is the wrong way to approach looking at a school. This is especially true if you are looking at liberal arts colleges because you will probably change your major and activities as your college career progresses. Instead of looking for the perfect college for right now, look for a college where there is an open ideology. This is a place where students are encouraged to speak with the administration, where there are multiple strong departments, and where there is the ability to create new clubs and different types of programming. At a school where you can easily initiate change, your college experience will be exactly what you make it. To discover if a school has these qualities ask students specific questions. For instance, if a student says that the student government is great, ask what motions they have passed recently and if there have been any recent changes as a result of those motions. Also, don?t take the ramblings of one student as gospel; just because this school is the best/worst fit for them does not mean it is best/worst school for you.

Students: Keep an open mind. While there will definitely be places that you love more than others, there probably won't e one "perfect"school for you. For most people, there won't be just one school that's right. On the other hand, it's important to pay attention to your gut feelings about a school. You don't necessarily need concrete reasons to like (or not like) a school. If you do find one school that you love, go for it! Once you do get to whatever school you end up picking, keep that open mind and explore your new environment. Join clubs that look like fun, get to know lots of different people, pick classes you're really interested in and excited about, and make sure that you also keep in touch with your family and friends from home! The most important thing is to SHOW UP. Go to guest lectures, club meetings, shows, etc. What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn in class. Parents: this is your kid's time--be there for support and advice, but let them make thier own decisions and lead thier own lives.

Don't let the name or reputation of a school influence your choice to go there. Visit the campus. Visit again! Talk with students, professors, admissions, coaches (if you plan on being an athlete), and anyone else that seems receptive! Apply to reach schools but don't devalue the little guys. Take serious time to think about your choices. Finally, go with your gut! Once you're there, put yourself out there. College is a chance to be yourself so take advantage! Join clubs. Do new things. Meet new people. Take classes in areas you've never heard of and don't be afraid to form personal relationships with professors you really enjoy. You never know where an opportunity may lead. But most importantly, the single most important thing to know about making the most of your college experience is to enjoy yourself! Sure, the academics can be rigorous, but always remember to have a little fun and it may just turn out to be the best four years of your life!

i love colby.

I would not recommend playing a varsity sport because it takes up too much time. When I was part of a team, I only had time for academics and my sport. I would also recommend considering a school carefully based on its location. Although I consider myself to be a "city person," I have really enjoyed Colby's small and close-knit campus.

Don't let cost deter you Location is important- ask yourself if this is an area you want to live for x years First impression is important- go with a gut feeling about a place Be realistic in your options based on your high school grades, test scores, etc. Do enough research on schools to see which ones are accessible options for you Try new things in college. It's the best opportunity to do so! Make friends with as many different types of people as possible. You'll learn a lot more

Find a school that suits you. Ask your guidance and college counselors or advice, as well as the admissions offices at colleges and universities for information, but be true to yourself when you choose a school. The four years of education that follow high school are extremely significant and the place where each student ends up must be a match for him or her. Based on academics, extra-curricular activities, but most importantly, the student atmosphere, one must decide where to spend this time that will help to shape a person for life. Reach for a school that you may think will not accept you. Pay no attention to the name of the school - if you know this is the place you must go, work hard and apply.

Make sure you can find something at the college that you will enjoy outside of academics and that you are comfortable on the campus

Ask youself first what your passions are. Find an institution that can fulfill them. Are the people there compatible with your personality? Remember: there are dauntingly intelligent students and professors everywhere, so just becuase a school isn't well-known doesn't mean it's worthless.

It's hard not to care about the name recognition of colleges and universities when you are picking a school, but try to remember that you're not going to be happy because you have a sweatshirt that says 'Harvard' or 'Bowdoin' on it. What you're able to do on weekends, the activites you're able to participate in on campus, and the professors and students you're surrounded by will make or break your college experience.

I would recommend visiting the campuses of every school that you are considering, either while deciding where to apply or when evaluating schools you have been accepted to (depending which is more convenient). Schools may look similar on paper, but when you visit them you really see the nuances that make up each campus and are able to get a much better "feel" for each one.

Before you decide on a college, students should seriously consider how they see themselves fitting into the world. It is important to know who you are as an individual, at least as much as you can, before you decide. The college you choose will be the place where your personality and self grows, and you want the environment to nurture and promote the way you wish to live your life. You always hear-"make the most out of your college experience, they are the best years of your life!" and, well, they are right! Definitely take advantage of all the college has to offer, get involved in many activities, and take challenging courses! You never know, you could just learn something about yourself that you never even dreamed.

College is one of the only times in your life where you are free to try as many crazy and different things as possible. Take advantage of that. When looking for a college, make sure that the classes, not just in your intended major, but in general, seem interesting to you. Why go to a school where the classes don't appeal to your interests? Make sure you know what the weekend life is like at the school. Ask someone you know who goes to the school what the real deal is. While a tour guide may tell you there are many fun things besides alcohol-ridden parties, they could be putting a spin on the fact that the 'other' fun things include sitting alone in your room watching movies. Just make sure you know what your getting yourself into. One more imporant thing: don't judge a college just by its fame. Choose it because you like it, it feels comfortable to you, and it has what you are interested in. Just because a college has a good name, doesn't mean that it will bring you the world on a platter!