Cornell University Top Questions

Wherever you end up, meet as many people as possible. To find that perfect fit, look for a school where you could thrive academically and be able to picture yourself enjoying college. If you know what you want to study, make sure you find a school with a solid program in that area. If you are unsure, look for a school with a wide range of majors and once in college, make sure you try everything that you are interested in before choosing a major. Again, meet as many people as you can. Lastly, stay happy, and stay focused.

Visit the schools and talk to the students. You need to pick a place where you feel like home and where you fit in with the students. If something doesn't feel right then look elsewhere.

If possible, visit the campuses you're considering. Students should try to look for schools to which they have a good chance of being admitted, but at the same time don't be afraid to reach for more selective institutions. These schools should offer programs in the student's academic interests, and have student bodies/demographics and cultures that suit (or, if the student is adventurous, challenge) the student. Students and parents should also be sure they are on the same page in terms of finances, and also location of schools. In college, don't take too many credits at once; it's more rewarding to learn well rather than simply "get some classes out of the way." Pay attention in class. Don't procrastinate, and take some time every day to review what you've learned. Take advantage of office hours, and talk to your professors. They are usually interesting people. Make sure you eat healthy meals and get enough sleep. Don't be afraid to try new things, and try to keep an open mind. Join a club. Read the news. Most importantly, don't let these years just slip by, because they certainly will! Have some fun.

Don't believe your peers' hype. It's easy to get caught up in yearning for the schools that your best friends lust after, but remember: first, they probably know little about those schools, and second, they aren't you. You wouldn't date someone just because your peers wanted to date them, would you? (Well, hopefully not...) College is your opportunity to begin to discover who you truly are in the relative absence of outside influence, and choosing a college is the first step in that discovery. If you know what you're interested in, look for schools with good programs in that - but give yourself room to change your mind, too: what you're ready to devote your life to can change, fast, so you want a school that 's good at lots of things. And don't get too abstractly theoretical. Visit the colleges! Visit LOTS of them, of all different types. Spend the night, attend classes, talk to students and professors. When you find a place where you feel you could live and grow toward whatever dreams you have, you'll know, and that one's a keeper. It's worth it: college life is fantastic.

What has proven most important to me is finding people who are willing to answer my questions and who actually care about my experience. If at all possible, try to visit any school you find interesting in order to interact with both students and university administration. It will be the people you interact with that will have the most effect on your experience, therefore, make sure you are going somewhere where you feel comfortable asking questions and also feel like your question or concern matters. If not, at least call. Call offices such as the financial aid office, the careers office or whatever you can think of. These are important places and will definitely require a visit or two. This will also allow you to get a feel for how one is treated as a student and whether their attitude is one that sparks more interest for the school. Do not underestimate your interactions with students and with any admin you may have the opportunity to interact with before making your choice.

Determine what you want out of life cause that's what you're going to want out of a college. Don't have your future plans set, but you should know yourself well enough to know what you want out of a school. Is the food most important? Is your social life? Academics? I personally visisted the colleges after I got accepted so I couldn't fall in love with any I didn't get into. I knew I wanted good acedemics, a large school, and one with cultural diversity - and I got Cornell. As for the college experience - don't get discouraged. There is always someone on the same page as you, and in the end, it's only school. Parents, don't be the overachievers for your children. I have found numerous kids stress out because they know they're parents will be upset with their B+. Don't be that parent. To students, don't have the mindset of what can I get out of this college and then leave. I became happier when I realized I was a part of a community and this is my home for right now. Otherwise, live, learn, love, and enjoy!

The student has to follow his heart, or even his gut, as some may say. A student should choose a college based on what feels best: where he thinks he will be happiest and feel the most "at home," in the sense that he has found a place of belonging. The atmosphere is key, which is why college visits are important. If the family can afford to go on a college visit road-trip, take that opportunity to really get to know the colleges that you (or your child) is going to be be applying to. Be sure to try to schedule college visits for a time of the year when students will be around: this will give you a real taste for the "atmosphere" of the school. If a visit can't be made, do your homework: really get to know the schools so that a confident and promising decision can be made. Students, keep in mind that college is going to be a whole new experience, perhaps very dissimilar from your previous education. Be open to this new experience, and take it easy your first semester so that the transition goes smoothly! Good luck!

Make sure you speak to students in whatever major you'd be in at the school. Ask them about mandatory classes, work load, etc. and make sure that's for you! Also make sure you visit the campus and stay overnight with students so you can get a good feel for the campus and student life.

You really can't go wrong with whatever school you go to. Ultimately, everyone I know ends up loving their school.

An Ivy League institution is not always suitable for every child. It doesn't always providethe best quality of education, or best network of people. It really depends on whether or not your child is geared towards academia, or wants a practial education to equip him/her with the tools to become an entrepreneur or business person. If the latter is true, I would suggest going to school in major cities i.e. Chicago, NYC /LA, or save some money, go to state school! There, your child have the opportunity to find internships during the school year. If your child is very studious, sees him/herself going towards an academia, getting a masters degree, or going to law school, then an ivy league institution like Cornell would be very suitable. As for networking, low rated ivies like Cornell are not as useful for networking, because we have some public colleges with half-priced tuition. The heirs/heiresses of oil/steel tycoons don't attend our university. Often I find schools in major cities, such as USC and NYU have better networking opportunities, alumni who give a lot to the school, and help make their diplomas more valuable.