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.