Cornell College Top Questions

Visit the schools you are interested in. Don't get me wrong, statistics are important. However, there is more to a school than what you can put on paper. Your school needs to fit right and feel right, or your success there will be questionable.

The best advice I could give to parents and students is to give yourself time to go through the process. Applying to schools and for financial aid is a very time consuming process that can be very overwhelming and frustrating. Support each other in this process. Trust your gut about a school. VISIT THE CAMPUS! I think that is one of the most important things. Don't go to one of the visit days, but schedule am individual tour and shadow a student. Spend a night in the dorms. Try to really get a feel for the atmosphere. If you plan to stay for four years, you want to know what you are getting into, so ask a lot of questions of the students and professors. Aske students what they love about their school and what they hate. Give yourself options: do you want to stay close to home or go across the country? Do you want to do summer internships? Does the school support/host them? Do you want to live on campus or off campus? What flexibility does the school offer? Allow yourself time to ask questions and to make a choice!

Start early and have an open mind! Don't go somewhere because your family and friends want you to. Go to a college where you want to go! Visit the college and stay overnight if possible to see how you might fit in and get a real feel of the place. If you like it , then do whatever you can to get in! Also, when looking for colleges don't turn one down based on looking at one brochure picture! Do your research! There are so many small colleges out there that offer great opportunities that get overlooked due to their lack of national recognition by name! And just because a college is well-known doesn't mean it is the best for you - maybe it is well-known for not so good reasons. And lastly, choose a place that feels right in your heart - whether that is close to home or across the country, big or little, public or private - every college hasn't something unique to offer so go out and find the one that is best for YOU!

Visit campus, talk to random people, are you welcome there or priveleged to be there?

Attend a college that is out of state or at least 200 miles from home. It gives youa chance to get out and see the country.

To fully research many schools and different types of schools. You never know what you might find out!

Parent: Don't be afraid to give your student some freedom. College is a time when students have all new experiences and it's a little hard to do that when it feels like you have mom and dad sitting on your shoulders. Students: Don't be afraid to HAVE experiences. Try new things. GET INVOLVED. How will you know what you're interested in if you don't try things? Make friends with the professors - they've been where you are and they usually have some pretty good stories and advice. (Plus they write awesome recommendation letters!) Focus on your schoolwork, but don't forget to take some time to relax and have fun. If you get bogged down with extra-curriculars and other committments, remeber that school should come first.

Find the right school for you're working future. Not everyone can be a proffesional athlete, but you can still enjoy sports at small colleges. You don't want to transfer because it will take longer to graduate. Take a lot of visits so you're sure you make the right choice. Also take it in stride and don't get frustated or worried, because everything will work itself out with hard work.

Also check out a college you're really interested in more than once. It could be tow completely different reactions.

Cost is important, but the type of education is much more important!! I f you have quations about the institution, ask them. Once you deposit your savings into the education, it may be too late. Cornell college costs about 36,000 dollars each year. My advice for parents is to tell your children and work with them in order to get as much financial assistance as you can. It will be a great investment. Make sacrifices! It is your children's future. also know the rules of your college. At cornell, people can no longer smoke on campus (even outside) and certain words that can be considered racist are no longer allowed, even if spoken indirectly. these rules I may not always agree with, but they are made to protect students and your kids. Finally, tell your kids to have a social life. without it, college can be miserable. Thank you, Kyle J. Schveiger Cornell College 2009