Concordia College at Moorhead Top Questions

Besides being a place of academic enhancement, college is a place to discover one's self. It becomes a new home, often both physically and socially. Since many people glide into college directly from high school, college is a new opportunity to think freely without the excpected guidelines of family or old friends. One begins to recognize his or her priorities and place in both society and the world. For some deciding on the right college may include solely academics, sports, or social life; but hopefully one finds a balance of the three. Touring a college, meeting students, and seeing one's possible new home is the most important part of choosing the right college. Taking advice from others, such as a parent, can be helpful but should not be the deciding factor. One should feel comfortable and excited, and most importantly be able to see a positive future filled with endless potention. After all, it is one's perspective on the world that shapes his or her opinions and sence of self.

My advice to parents&future students trying to find that right college experience would be to right out a plan of action, example,A: What do I want achieve in life?(&if you don't know-Are you willing to explore different options?)B. Am I choosing a possible profession for myself&my own interests/talents or am I doing it to make my parents happy? C. Does my personality fit a private or public school? D. Visit! & visit more than once-* Do your homework* Ask questions (doesn't always have to be all serious) activities/sports, weirdest things kids have done on campus for cheap entertainment? E. Money is one thing, but do NOT let it steering you away from a college that fits you&feels comfortable. (so, it takes you 20ys¬ 10ys). F. A good school-allows you to talk to professors&sit in on lectors (email the professor with ?'s--get to know them) show them you're dedicated G. Parents, your kids are going to get bad grades, make mistakes & skip class but remind them no one can take away there degree . H. Life isn't going to end if you're not accepted.

When considering which colleges to apply to, do your research- even visit the campus to get a feel for the setting and overall attidude of the college. Ask students who have attended your colleges of interest what they like and didn't like about that college. Look at the college website to see what courses and majors are offered to ensure that your desired degree could be accomplished there. Also look around the website to find what the college values- academics, sports, the arts, research, etc. Also talk to faculty from the colleges, particularly teachers from the department of study you want to pursue. You ultimately want to choose the school whose priorities are in line with yours. Also consider the size and setting of the campus, and the demographic and size of the student population. Are you willing to walk several blocks to get from class to class, or would you prefer a smaller campus that takes less time to navigate- but consequently has less students. Tuition is also an issue, so make sure you have a plan for affording the costs of college. Apply for financial aid if necessary, but don't let money dictate your college decision.

Enjoy yourself make good friends work hard and stay focused.

Attend a few classes before making a decision. Sitting in on a few classes during a random week would not only give the prospect student somthing to expect from the classroom, but also a feel for how he/she will fit in.

Do your research to find the college that's the right fit for you! Trust your instincts but don't be lazy.

Okay parents, here's the bad news: you need to stop trying to influence your kids when they are trying to decide which college they wish to attend. I know, I know, you just want what's best for them. You want them to think about all the aspects of each school and you want them to make the right decision. But with you nagging them all the time, they are going to feel like they aren't able to make a good decision and they will just want to get their decision over with so you'll get off their backs. Just relax--your kid made it this far, didn't he? He'll know which school is right for him. And kids, here's the bad news: you need to be the one to make the decision! I know that this is a huge life changing decision and it is a tough one to make, but only you can know where you will feel most comfortable and fit in best. It will be worth it in the end to know that you're the one who picked the school. So good luck! You'll do great!

Start looking early. Visit as many schools as you can and ask a lot of questions! If you visit a school during the acedemic year, ask random students in the cafeteria what they like the best at the school. This will give you better perspective than just what the school is telling you.

My best advice for parents and students looking for the right college is to just visit and try and picture yourself there. First, look at a few colleges on paper and look at the stats. Find a handful of colleges that offer what you believe is what you want. If you enjoy making music, find a handful of music schools. If you plan on being a doctor or nurse, find a school with a good pre-med reputation. Once you have found a good handful of colleges you like, ignore the numbers and go visit them. Stay overnight if you have the chance. Don't get caught up in all of the technical stuff. Just try and picture yourself as a student at that school. Chances are, one or two of those schools will stick out to you as a "I can picture myself here for the next stage of my life" school. Just remember, you are going to be living in that place for the next four or so years, so make sure it is a place you truly enjoy and can see yourself easily fitting in. That, afterall, is what is that most important thing.

My advice would be to find the college you feel is most fitting to your dreams and desires. Find a career you love and follow the path that will lead you to your future with all of your heart. If you want to go to a college but don't have the money you need to pay for it right away, take out a loan because even though they will be a lot to pay back, if you truely find what you love to do your need to pursue it with all of your effort.

Attend many college visits and find a place that you will be the most comfortable fit for you. If that means applying at a college that might be more costly than then another one, so be it. Trust me, you would rather attend a college that you will always cherish the time you put into it, rather than going somewhere else that is not right for your needs. Also look into their courses of study and see what the college has to offer for your intended degree.