Colgate University Top Questions

To find the right college, focus equally on who you are as a student and individual, as well as who you want to become. This way, you won't be a fish out of water to begin with, but also you'll have a place where you can become who it is you want to become. Once you're in school, open yourself up to all possibilities--don't limit yourself to activities that you've already tried before or those in which you know people involved. Everyone experiences that uncomfortable beginning feeling--it's just whether you conquer it and really come into who you should become, or you submit to it and lose out on opportunities to grow.

Always go to the college that you like the most, not the one with the highest "ranking." I'm so glad I selected my University, but it was far from the best-ranked institution to which I was accepted.

You NEED to visit the campus because the people in the brochures are NOT always the one's that you'll see on the campus. Make sure the school gives you enough money for you to actually attend so there is no strain when it comes to buying school books or traveling from home to campus. Make sure the school gives a fair amount of attention to the course of study that you may be interested in majoring in. ASK QUESTIONS TO THE STUDENTS! Sophomores have the best opinions of the campus because they got through the homesickess and the struggle to fit in but they still have somewhat of a fresh perspective of the campus. College rank does matter especially to your reputation because some people will judge you based on that. Plus, its good to attend a school that you work really hard to get into.

Apply to a lot of schools and keep an open mind. Find a major you're really passionate in, and follow what you WANT to do, not what you think you should do. You'll find yourself accelling, and enjoying what you're learning if you follow that. Do extra-curriculars starting from your first semester-- its such an easy way to meet people, including upper-classmen. Consider rushing a fraternity/sorority. if at the end you decide its not your thing, no biggie, but at least you tried.

Choosing the right school isn?t a scientific process at all; don?t bother with SAT scores, lists or rankings when you make the important decision about where you want to spend arguably the most critical 4-year period of your life. Sure, these ranks and measurements are important, but nothing can compare to the way campus feels to you when you visit. Talk to as many current students as you can and ask them what they like?and don?t like?about their school. Notice the atmosphere of the dorms, the dining hall, and the academic buildings. Are you comfortable? And more importantly, is this a place where you can grow? Once you?ve made your decision and arrive on campus, take care of these three aspects of your life: academic, social and extra-curricular. A satisfying college experience depends on figuring out the best balance between those priorities. You might not know right away what is best for you, but that?s ok: freshman year is the best time to try out something new. Ask for guidance if you need it, take risks, meet as many new people as you can, and don?t forget to sleep!

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. Make it liberal arts so you can be well-rounded and informed about everything. Someone who knows more than their specialty will go far in life. Those people are the groundbreakers because they always think outside the box first by conglomerating fields.

The college application process is such a game, but don't try to fgure out the rules, just go for what feels right and what you love. Never apply anywhere that you don't love - so don't necessarily apply to too many schools.

Honesty is the best policy. Students and parents should be honest with themselves about what branch of knowledge the student should be pursuing. Students, don't try to force yourself into a field of study because it sounds like a good idea. Go with your heart. Parents, support your child's interests and talents. Help him find the field that is right for him. The family should also be honest with themselves about what is affordable. It may be enticing to accept an invitation to attend a brand-name school, but if the only way to put the student through college is to take out tens of thousands of dollars in loans, think carefully. When that student graduates, he will be handcuffed by debt and less able to follow his dreams, unless of course his only goal is to make 6+ figures. Think carefully about these decisions, then choose a program and a school that 1) offers an excellent program in the right field of study, and 2) will be affordable for the person(s) who will pay tuitition. Think carefully, and remain honest.

Keep your options open, your apparent first choice may not be the actual school that is a perfect fit for you. I would have never imagined going to Colgate University, but it has been the best school I could have ever been accepted to. College is suppose to be an amazing experience for everyone, and with hard work and studying along with a good balance of having fun, it can be a great experience. Also don't be discouraged if what you intended to do in school and what you wanted to do with the rest of your life is not something you succeed in in college. I came into college expecting to go on to medicine, but along the way I learned that it wasn't right for me. I'm not saying give up on your dreams, but do something that you are good at and that you do enjoy at the same time. Failing isn't a bad thing if we learn how to overcome our failure and take our defeat with pride and dignity. I wish I would have learned that sooner. Now I'm graduating college persuing law and I couldn't be happier.

Finding the right college is about figuring out who you are. When you are honest with yourself about the things you want for yourself, the right environment can be easy to find. Visiting campus and speaking with actual students are the best ways to determine how you might fit in there and are often extremely enjoyable. Moreover, the notion that there is a singular "right college" for you is probably not true. College is all about finding an environment you can flourish in and the people who will encourage you to do so. Making the most of your college experience is all about taking advantage of this environment and these people. Try new things, meet new people, and go new places. Everyday is an opportunity to wake up and have the best day of your life.

Parents/students, please consider the personality of the student and how that would fit into the atmosphere of possible college selections. Be open minded about your selection and do not be afraid to go to a college that will test the borders of your comfort zone. Look at college as valuable experience that will develope you as a person, not just get you a piece of paper to show at an interview after four years. Consider the amount of money you will owe after you graduate and educate yourself on expected monthly payments you will make for all bills after you live on your own and begin working full time. Lastly, if you have a strong desire to go into a specific career, be sure to go to a school that has a strong department in that field with interniships available. Do not be afraid to be on your own and meet new people. Accept it as a personal challenge that you will benefit from later and enjoy shortly into it. Decide with your instinct. Take the information others give you with a grain of salt. Visit possible schools and see for yourself. You'll know where you belong.

NO MATTER WHICH COLLEGE YOU APPLY TO, VISIT EACH CAMPUS AND STAY OVERNIGHT BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION. It's so important to get a feel for the campus, to talk to students candidly and to visit a class or two. Also, try to go out with your host and see if the social scene is to your taste. Realistically, most people just enroll in whichever college delivers the best finaid package, but no matter how little you pay for college, it's not worth having a sub-par college experience. Go into college with an open mind: you will probably change you major three or four times before you finally decide what you like, so take classes in various disciplines to figure out which you enjoy the most. Do what you love, not what your parents wished you loved. Get involved with campus activities, ESPECIALLY FRESHMAN YEAR so you can get your name and face out there. Stay on top of your work and seek out your professors for help whenever you need it (they love it...usually). You should have an amazing time at college, so work hard, play hard, and don't forget to do the laundry.

Follow your heart and don't let the pressure get to you.

Finding the "right" college is all about finding the best fit for you! Each college has something unique about it, something that makes it memorable, but finding the "right" college truly depends on whether you want to go there and can picture yourself living your next four years at that particular school . Try to choose a school that makes you excited at the prospect of going there and partaking in the activities you hear about students doing. Once you get to college, my advice is to involve yourself in a variety of activities that appeal to you, whether you've done them before or have never heard of them! Participating in clubs, sports, and activities in general is the best way to meet people and get excited about being at a new school. You may end up being a part of something that changes your perspective, goals, or group of friends! (I decided to be a part of my school's newspaper with no prior experience and am now thinking of becoming a journalist someday! ) The point is, college is what you make of it; everything you do is by choice, so choose wisely and enjoy every minute of it!

Your friends are your strongest aspect of college. Meet and get to know career services early.

Do the research. It's the only way to know that you've found the perfect school for you. It's overwhelming but most people have an idea of what they want and when you find it you'll know.

Get involved! College is fun if you want it to be!