Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

Don't worry so much. You'll do just fine.

Spend some time getting to understand the "universe" of colleges. Look at the schools in your area, public and private, and take the time to learn about them, if they have good departments, and what else they have to offer. Think hard about what you really want from a good school, and then go after it. I decided to go to Columbia University after being in the military for five years, and it was a great decision. At first, it might have seemed like kind of a risk, but I did the research and saw that it was exactly the environment I was looking for, and so far it has provided me with many opportunities (academic, internships, meeting leading thinkers in my field, etc...) that I might not have gotten else where. So thats it; think about your choice, don't be afraid to go for what you feel strongly about, and learn the ins-and-outs of the college world, so you don't feel dwarfed by the vastness of the system. Having an education is a great, empowering thing, and there are so many good schools out there to suit any kind of student.

The visit counts for a lot! If you are comfortable speaking with people on the visit, go with that feeling.

Be true to what your looking for and remember that wherever you end up, the experience is what you make of it.

Talk to your advisor!

Be patient, but start early. There is no criteria for the "right" college or the "best" university; but that is not to say that the "right"/"best" school does not exist. It does, but only through much time, research, personal reflection, and exploration can one determine that school which is best. Be open-minded, consider every option (in-state, out-of-state, in-country, out-of-country) and eventually, the right school will turn up. Once there, do as much as humanly possible while still maintaining whatever standard of academic excellence to which you adhere. You've got four years, maybe more; make the most of them! Once they're gone and you're faced with the daunting task of adjusting to life in the real world, you will either look back on your experiences and be comforted with the knowledge that you are prepared, or you may look back and regret everything that you overlooked, everything that you didn't do. Make the most of it, nothing more, nothing less.

Take the time to visit colleges that interest you and speak to current students. Get a sense of both the acedemic and extracurricular aspects of the campus, as well as its location.

The most important thing is to remember when picking a college is to select the school that best matches your interests. I go to an Ivy League university and I am a tour guide at my school, so I talk to students quite regularly who want to go to my school for its reputation, not because its characteristics are a good match for them. Rank the things that are most important to you: whether it's class size, available majors, location of the school, research opportunities, or something else. Then search for schools that will fit that criteria. As for the college experience once you're at a particular school, act like it's a 4-year study abroad experience. Take advantage of all your opportunities, do everything you can, especially things that you won't be able to do once you've graduated. And every year, make sure to take one class on a topic you know nothing about. It's what college is for.

Choosing a college can be one of the most daunting decisions of an individual's young life, but it should also be fun. First, remember that there are dozens of colleges that want YOU as a student. In all the anxiety of applications and awaiting acceptances, don't lose sight of the fact that you are a commodity in high demand. Second, narrow down your selection by setting your priorities. Do you want to go to school in a major city? In a suburban area? Or do you want a more isolated campus, away from the world? How important is school rank to you? Diversity? Academic rigor? Are you looking for specific academic or extracurricular programs? All of these will influence which schools you decide to apply to. Most importantly, visit the campus! There's no better way to get a feel for a university than seeing it up close and personal. Talk to students if you can. It's more important to talk to upperclassmen than freshmen. All first years take some time to adjust to their new school, so talk to the veterans. They'll have a better feel for what the entire experience is like. Good luck!

Live it up.

When considering what college is best

Be open to trying new things and meeting new people. Try to surround yourself with people who are idealogically, culturally, ethnically different than you are.

Remember to make a good choice base on tuition fees, location and what you major in. Also if you as a parent look at what's your child want to do in life, that should be the determined factor. As a student, make sure you will be confortable and there is opportunity after graduation.

I think prospective students should approach the college admissions process with the idea that they can pursue absolutely whatever they want in college, and not be limited by ideas of what they should be doing. I also think it's crucial to keep a little distance from the college rankings bit, and instead focus on your own needs in a school. On a related note, I think all college applicants should keep their guard up against making one college into the "dream" school, but should be able to picture themselves having a positive experience at a number of different places. I know that for me, doing several overnight stays with then-current college students added perspective and reassurance that students were happy at a broad spectrum of colleges and universities.

Make sure you examine a wide range of parameters. Finding the right school is not just a question of academic prestige, but also of diversity, size, location, administration, support networks, social life, etc. I strongly recommend talking to current students, and not just the ones leading the tour groups. Strike up a converstaion with someone at the student center when you visit. You'll be surprised how willing most students are to share their experiences.

The most important factor in choosing a college and making the most of your experience there is finding a school where you can develop an interest in a wide variety of fields. I came to college with hopes of becoming an invtesment banker. Now I'm applying to graduate programs so that I can be Art History professor. Without my school's well-known economics program, I wouldn't have come here in the first place; but if they didn't have an incredible art history department, too, I might not have found the academic field that I'm truly passionate about. Everyone says college is about exploration, but it's important to realize that not every college offers the resources or possibilities necessary for exploring. When you find a school that does, then you're set.

Choose a college that has interesting classes that you would enjoy taking. When you visit a college look at the course listings so you know exactly what you're getting into. A lot of my friends went to colleges because they 'heard they had a great history department' but once they go there and saw the actual classes and requirements they weren't all that excited. Also, make sure the people who go to the college are the kind of people you woudl like to spend 4 years around.

Start early. Do your research. If you know your top choice, research whether it is benefical to apply early. In high school, do not focus only on grades -- it's the complete package: coursework, extracurriculars, part-time job, etc. College admissions wants to see passion in the being of a successful applicant.

You pay for your surroundings and the quality of your peers as much as you pay for your academic education.

Think about the factors that will make a successful and satisfying college experience: are you more comfortable with slow or fast-paced life? A town or a big city? A close-knit college feel or perhaps less school spirit in exchange for a greater availability of culture and diverse experiences? These factors help identify the type of school and location that would be beneficial. Academically, it is important to determine how much value a 'big name' will have for you and your future, as well as the academic quality of the school you're looking for. Larger colleges tend to have more big lectures and less individual attention, so if you're independent and able to handle less attention, a larger college may be good for you. The best professors often teach the largest lectures. Finally, join extracurricular activites and try jobs that may be relevant to a field of interest. It's a good way to learn more about what you want to do, and to meet more people who will be a staple in your life.