Connecticut College Top Questions

For me, it was absolutely essential to plan a visit to each college I was considering. You can tell a lot about a college just by going onto campus and taking the time to explore and observe. Many students say that one of the main reasons they chose the college they did was due to a "feeling" they had while on the campus. It is difficult to pinpoint what causes this "feeling," especially when on paper so many colleges and universities can seem so similar. Yet, do not underestimate the power of a gut feeling. Four years of your life will be spent at the institution that you choose, and in addition to facts and figures, you also must consider how at home you feel on the campus. The best way to do this is to make room in your schedule and plan a visit. You won't regret it.

Students are often told that once they visit the right college for them, they will immediately know it. That never happened for me. I remember touring about 10 colleges on the east coast and seeing propective students on those tours taking notes and video taping the campus. I think each college in the country has its own pros and cons, and it's a definite possibility that more than one school may be right for you. When visiting campus and reading college assessment books, pick the schools that you could see yourself at. Then give it a try. College is not the end-all-be-all of your childhood, but it can better your life academically, stretch you to your limits, and teach you a lot about youself. Remember, college is what you make of it. If you want to have an amazing college experience, you will. It's as simple as that.

For me, finding the right college was all about visiting every type of school possible--big, small, all girls, coed, NESCAC, Southern, ones with Greek life or big sports...EVERYTHING. By seeing all types you begin to understand yourself better and know what may fit you best. Listen to your heart and not what your parents, teachers or friends say. Don't try and aim for the most selective, aim for what works best for you. Find a place that you can call home and where you can thrive. Take the time to get to know what you want in a school and do research on it. If you think you have a "right" school, apply early and try not to second guess yourself.

conn is a great small liberal atrs college but i reccommend going with an interest in an extra-cirricular activity. The student body is very small, as is the campus, so only focusing on school work is very hard.

Do not worry about the school name, I never cared and I think that's why I ended up finding the perfect fit.

Finding the right college is all about finding a place where you feel comfortable as you are, and comfortable to grow. If a school doesn't fit your personalities and needs then it is not the right school for YOU no matter how good of a school it is. Make sure you get involved in everything on campus that you are interested, and a few things that you are not interested in. Sign up for everything and try everything even if you need to stop doing it at some point. If you are outgoing and get involved you will have a great experience!

College tours are deceptive. No college is going to advertise its flaws. You really can't get a good idea about the academic programs or the social life unless you talk to a real student. If you go to a school, it is essential that you stop a student and ask them how they fell about their school. Ask them about what they love most, and what they would like to change. Find a student who is studying the subjects that interest you so you can find out what the professors and courses are like. No college is going to be perfect. No matter where you go, you will find things that you do and don't like. College is what you make of it.

abandon all hope

Be yourself. Choosing a college is not choosing who you want to be, it is choosing who you already are so that you can get to know yourself. Do not visit schools that you think will help shape you into a different person, but instead pick a school where you felt comfortable and familiar. The right school should be able to lead you to all your answers if you seek out its resources, and by settling in at the school you are also settling into your own shoes. Making the most of your college experience should not feel pressured, but instead encouraged, and the more comfortable you are on campus, with your academics, and among your peers, the easier your curiousity can lead to your success.

Prepare early

It is important to keep in mind that what you are willing to put into a school is of great importance. It is not only the school's job to give to the students. There are many schools at which each student could be very happy, and having the idea that there is 'one perfect school' may just cause heartache and frustration. Find several schools tat which would be willilng to try hard academically and socially, and that you think could meet your efforts to give you back a good environment. Once you get to school it is important to put yourself into as many new experiences as possible. If the school is providing a lecture or a club meeting, its a great opportunity to branch out. If you never step out of your comfort zone you wont make the most of school.

In order to find the right college, you have to visit different campuses. This is really helpful in getting a feel for what you do or don't like as far as size, location, etc. In order to make the most of the college experience students should rememember why they are there, but keep their minds open. You never know what you might discover when you are in college. Your major might change if you discover a new passion. But be willing to try new things.

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The way to find the right college is to go and look. When you set foot on that campus for the first time, if it doesnt feel right or you cant envision yourself living and studying there, its not right. In the end, its a ut feeling, you'll know the right one when you're there. You cannot pick the right college out of a book.

Go to a school where community is important and where your kids are forced to interact with others and learn how to balance their interests with the interests of others. Your kids should learn how to challenge the assumptions they enter college with so they learn how to think about themselves, the global community and their lives as they move forward.

If you have specific interests, make sure the college you choose will accomodate them. Visit the campus, observe a class, ask the students you meet what they think of the professors, academic work, department you're interested in, extracurriculars and social life. Get involved on campus and try new things. Be open to new ideas, dabble in different disciplines. Take advantage of what the college has to offer. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Make sure to start visiting and interviewing at as many colleges as you can starting sophmore year in high school.

think hard.

When you visit the campus, invision yourself living there, making friends with the people you see there. Go to a school that offers oppurunities that interest you! Once you are there, try to always be making new friends and trying classes that you thought you might not otherwise have been interested in

I think that the feeling one gets when first visiting a college is often what leads to the top choice for a college. It is easy for a high school student to get carried away thinking of what their life will be once at college. It is vital however to check this exhilarating rush and look back at sources detailing other students experiences at the college of your choice. It is critical to veiw sites and surveys such as this which give a detailed report of how other students have experienced the transition of veiwing the school as it advertizes itself to the reality of the college. Good luck with your search and know that college's often provide realative flexibility for students to create the collegiate experience they desire.