Cornell University Top Questions

Visit the colleges; not during the most beautiful times of the year, but during the most ugliest. If the student can handle the ugly, then they will be happier with their school. Don't be afraid during your freshman year. Meet new people, try new foods, andtake new classes; you won't regret it!

My advice about the selection process would be to first make an initial list of schools based solely on academic fit and opportunities, and then to visit as many of those schools as possible and choose one based on where you feel most at home. You go to college to receive an education; it would be a shame to graduate with only a degree, and no knowledge to show for it. At the same time, you cannot succeed academically if you are unhappy, so make sure the school you choose isn't too big or too small, will provide you with a sense of community, where you can make friendships based on common interests, and where you will be able to do the sort of activities you are accustomed to doing. When you get to school, I beg you to work your hardest and do well. Come with an open mind and try new things. Don't be shy, and introduce yourself to as many people as you can in the beginning. Remember that your parents sacrificed a lot to send you to school, so make them proud. Most importantly, learn a lot but have fun doing it. Make memories!

Try to create as clear of a vision of what you want our of your life and do it to the best of your abilities until you don't want to do it any more. Be active in your campus community as well as your academics. You will get the most out of your experience when you know what you want to get from it, wheter thats an active social and extracurricular life or a 4.0, do what makes you happy.

Its all about finding the right place for YOU! Don't choose schools from an all star list made by some companies that are clearly just trying to sell books/periodicals. VISIT THE CAMPUS! Talk to current students at each school you're considering. Finding the right school can be one of the most daunting tasks in your life. Make sure you end up at a place you chose... not your parents.... not your girlfriend.... not your firends.... because when it comes down to it, you're the one living there and doing the work.

Finding the right college isn't only about finding the best college academically or the best party school; it's about finding a balance. Location is a primary factor in determining a good school for you. Location not only determines how cold or warm the area is but also what the students do at the school. Visit the school during summer and winter and make sure there are things you enjoy doing in the area. You might also want to look into the student groups on campus and make sure there are some that match your interests. Additionally, remember that college is meant to be fun but it's also about preparing you for a career. Going to a party school isn't going to help you later in life. All schools have parties, pick one that will also help you in the future. On the other hand, attending a school simply because it is academically strong is not a good idea either. If you don't enjoy the people and the area, your college life will not be pleasant. To make the best of your college experience, join student groups and meet people from diverse backgrounds.

I would tell parents and students to go with their gut feeling and not put too much pressure on the situation. So much emphasis is placed on choosing a college that will determine th course of the rest of your life. I believe that it is possible for students to be happy at nearly any college they choose. That being said, there seems to be a "gut" feeling that people get when they visit the school that is right for them. If you are able to picture yourself walking to class, living in the dorms, and generally spending time around campus, you have probably found a school that would be great for you. Take some of the pressure of the situation and go with your instincts. They are usually right.

It is very important to find a college suitable to your wants. Afterall, this will be your home for the next four years. If possible, try to visit the school or speak with students in order to see if the school is what you are looking for. Also, do not underestimate a school's location. Are you someonne who needs to distractions, or someone who needs to get away every so often?

The best advice anyone can give you about the college process is to breathe. There are hundreds of choices out there, and while it may seem overwhelming, just remember that this is a good thing, it means you have the power to choose. There isn't one "perfect" school - you're the one that makes your school great. When I was drawing up my list of colleges, I was obsessed with finding the "perfect fit" that everyone told me existed. But the "perfect fit" is nothing but a myth. I was sure that I could only be happy at a small school near the city, no more than an hour from home - today I attend a large school (Cornell University) in the middle of nowhere, 8 hours from my house, and I could not be happier. I love my classes, my friends - everything. The point is, as long as you go into college with an open mind, you will be happy. So stop, breathe, take a step back, and remember that you've got four amazing years ahead of you, no matter what!

I would tell students to choose the school that most interests them and suits their needs. While I believe that financial situations should be taken into consideration, I also feel that being happy at the school you chose is very important. Students and parents should look at all levels of school: community college, state schools, private schools, to really broaden a students options. College websites do provide a lot of information, but talking to students at the schools and going on college visits is ultimately the best way to get a realistic picture of each college. In terms of making the most of the college experience, being open is key. Everyone comes in from so many different backgrounds and you have to be ready to adjust and try new things or else you'll be the same person that you were when you first came in. There are so many opportunities available at college and you have to be willing to go after them.

College is an important transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is a time where students discover their life passion is botany, or ten alcoholic drinks in two hours may be too many, or maybe the girl living on the floor above will be the woman to marry. Some memories will last a lifetime, and others will be brushed under the rug. However, it is important to make those memories. Put yourself out there. Attend a lecture given by a world renown psychologist, go to that sustainability club meeting, go talk to that professor about a research opportunity. The possibilities are endless, and the only way college will be a positive experience is to delve in whole-heartedly. So look for that school where you feel at home, where you know that when you walk around campus you will feel comfortable finding the adult you want to become.