Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

Get involved as much as you can as soon as possible. The best way to be in the right place at the right time is to be in a lot of places!

To parents I have to say let your child follow his or hers dreams. Don't force the practical on them, instead nurture and encourage what it is they feel most passionate about. Encourage them to aim as high as possible even if it seems like a college may not be within their reach, help to do what it takes in order for them to see their dreams through. To the students, I say take a risk and choose a college that will pull you out of your comfort zone and force you to grow and mature. You are on the verge of adulthood, it is in college you become the person you will be for the rest of your life; therefore, you have not only consider the degree but also the character you will build in those four years. Explore yourself, let your dreams run wild and chase them relentlessly!

For me, academics were the most important on my decision in choosing a school. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in life and therefore the main thing for me was to find a school that could support me and help me achieve my goals. If you know what you want to do, it shouldn't matter where you go to school, as long as you're learning the right things from professionals who know what they're talking about. In order to learn the right set of skills for the rest of your life, you should be willing to try something new, whether it's a new form of living, or just a new area of living. For me it was moving into a big city (Chicago). I love the city and I love my countryside/cow town roots as well. Gaining new experiences is key to the college life.

It's important to visit schools that you are interested in. I visited many schools and had trouble deciding on which one to attend. After I visited Columbia College in Chicago I knew that it was the right school for me. The atmosphere of the school just clicked. Academics are an essential part of selecting a school. However, the importance of finding a school that has an accepting atmosphere as well as an exciting and diverse environment ranks right up there with the academic aspect of the college experience. Research research research. You need to learn all you can about potential schools. It's not good to just pick a school based on a whim. If you put the proper amount of energy and effort into finding the right school that fits your needs, you will be able to make your college experience both enjoyable and worth the time and money.

You need to find a college that fits who you are and what honestly feels right in your heart. If you go to an open house excited and can't wait to see what you can achieve there--then you found the right college. Find a college that will help you grow and experience new things that you can pass down to others for the rest of your life. College isn't just about the party social life, but also what you can get out of your career. If you feel the staff is willing to give you the best education to ensure you will graduate and do outstanding in the real world, then you have definitely found the right place. It is important to do what's best for you and your education.

If you are unsure of your career choice, start out at a Community College, and work your way through it. Not only will you be sving money, but also getting core classes out of the way before heading into your field of choice.

When looking for the right college a student should always way the pros and cons of the location, the education, the financial aid that the college is willing to give, and any scholarships or programs that the college supports. Take anything and everything into account, for example what is the size of the school, what is the average amount of students in each class, are professors more hands on with the students or do they run more traditional lecture styled classes. Does the college have a diverse community of students and faculty? These are all things that students and parents alike should be asking themselves before choosing the right college. Lastly always visit any colleges you are looking at, the best way to get a feel for a college and its campus is to visit it personally. When it comes to making the most of your college experience, a student must always stay focused and keep in mind that you are paying thousands of dollars for the education you are working towards.

Carefully research the curriculum, take note of required courses and flexibility in the curriculum for electives. Make sure that the curriculum is well suited to your career goals. You do not want to end up taking many courses that are not interesting to you and be left lacking the information and education you really need.