Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

It is important to always talk to the students and faculty who attend the college, not the recruiters. People will always blur the truth, so you must find out for yourself.

Finding the right college is all about being honest with the wants and needs of the student. I go to Columbia College Chicago, a school mainly focused on the arts. Many would say that going to an art school is not a lucrative investment. Yet to successfully go through college one must be passionate about what they are learning, and the knowledge they gain will be dependent on this. I knew that I could go to a college for my parents, but I realized that to actually have a meaningful learning experience you have to go to college for yourself. Always follow your heart when selecting a college. Because when you go to school you should be able to find out who you are, and what you have to contribute to the world. Columbia helped me find myself through learning. I found that I was passionate about poetry, and now have gained unmeasurable satisfaction through my education and have learned how to continue to be successful throughout life.

I would tell a student to follow their dreams and pick a school that is the best for what they want to do when they grow up and don't just go somewhere to make someone else happy.

I don't want a scholarship. I don't need a scholarhsip. I already graduated last year. The ad to take this survey read, "2007 and 2008 college graduates: Take this survey about your school for the chance to win 10,0000!!" It sounded like a raffle or something. Why would you advertise to people who have already graduated to win a scholarship? I feel mislead and kind of irritated that I wasted my time on this survey.

To the parents or students who seek the best possible routes towards the future of their or their children's education I firstly say choose whatever you feel will place you closer to your career goals or interests even if you have not yet discovered what it is that you truly want as a career. Explore these possibilities by taking into account the present as well as the future. College is not cheap, but that doesn't mean that you allow that to be the number one factor in making your choice. I believe that everyone should look at their education as an investment into a future of happiness and financial longevity that speaks through their innermost passion and strength. In college there are three things that will maximize the most of any college experience and that includes a balance of academic achievements, social development and work experience. By doing this, a student takes advantage of every opportunity to learn more in their area of study by cultivating awareness of team work, critical and creative problem solving , self awareness and a healthy social life with work and other responsibilities. This ultimately requires a time for self, studying and career growth.

I think you should really make sure that the school you choose is the school for you. Really research the major you want to go into if you already have an idea of what you want to go for. If you don't, take a tour of the campus and look into possible majors that you'd be interested in. I think it's a really good idea to have at least some sort of idea of something you're interested in when you apply to and choose your schools. Once you get to school don't be shy! Be willing to go out and socialize. I'm a pretty shy person but my school provided me with a lot of opportunities for socialization. You don't have to be the most outgoing person to have a great social life at school.

For a student I would say to know what you're looking for in a school. To really think about what you're going to get out of the school you decide to attend. Often it isn't the school that makes a great experience, it's you as a student that enhances whatever lessons you're going to learn. Know if you want to go to a more isolated school or you'd rather stay in an urban environment, that helps a great deal when making a decision. Don't let money get in the way, that can be worked out, what's important is finding the right fit for what you need as a student.

Make sure that the school has a lot of institutional scholarships and grants, then consider the price. A school may have one of the lowest tutition rates, but they may also not have a lot a money to give, which would make the school more expensive anyway.

begin the research process early, visit each school while school is in session if possible, and apply for as much financial aid as possible. I thouroughly recommend that you get involved early on in clubs/activities once the semester begins. If you are going to go to college out of state, be sure you are an independant, responsible person, with a strong sense of self, and can handle being away from your comfort zone. also encourage students to seek out work study programs at their school. I am a residence assistant at the Universi ty center, so I am closely working with 150 students on my floor, with my co-ra, it has proven to be a worthwhile and rewarding experience thus far.

When parents and students are in the process of finding the right college, I think they should keep in mind whatever will make the student's wants and needs satisfied. Yes, price is always assumed an issue, but in reality, there are always loans, grants, and scholarships that can be received. Ultimately, if it makes the student happy, that is what it takes. If the student is not happy about their school choice, they will more than likely begin slacking off and doing poorly in school. A person's happiness is key, and if a school can make a student happy, the student can do their best in their course of study.