Crown College Top Questions

First and foremost, don't quit. Stay in school despite the obstacles that will inevitably present themselves. College is hard, but it is also a valuable and wonderful experience. You will get out of it what you put into it. Having the opportunity, time and resources to complete a college education is a gift. There is no better time in your life to do this than right now. Jobs, starting a family and the other accoutrouments of adult life will be there forever, don't rush to get there. The next four of more years will be the best, hardest and possibly the most challenging of your life. Take advantage of every opportunity, use this time to learn about yourself, what you can do, what you want to do and what you believe in. Discover your place in the world and learn to trust yourself. Ask for help if you need it and don't be shy. This is a difficult transition, but there are people who want to help guide you through it. Good luck and God bless!

Perhaps one of the biggest advice that I would give myself if I had the ability to go back in time is to take every opportunity that there is to continue in the growing process as a student.

I would tell myself to get out and experience what I love in a setting that tests me in order to find my passions. It's so easy for a high schooler to "feel" that he or she knows what's best for him or her. I, myself, as a senior loved singing in choir, enjoyed working with those younger than myself, and "felt" that being a choir teacher would be best for me. Freshman year of college came and I immersed myself in music classes. Yes, I enjoyed it, but at the end of the year I still felt like there were life questions unanswered. The summer after, I decided to work at a camp for children and youth to experience working with young people in a new setting. I found my passion there, which is to work with children and teens in a church setting. How did I come to this realization? I experienced the rigors of youth under conditions that tested me and forced me out of my comfort zone...but it made me come alive. The joy even after the hard work made me realize it's more than a feeling--it's my passion.

Go where your heart is leading! Listen to the advice of the people who care deeply about you. Go somewhere that youa re not a number but truly a part of this community.

Start early! I work with 6th-8th graders in the inner city, and we just took them to 4 different colleges around the Twin Cities just to get their minds thinking about college. Also keep their minds open about different colleges, they need to figure out if they want their college in the same state, if they want a private school, if the want a state school, will it be big or small? I choose Crown because I love Minnesota, and I knew I wanted to go to a small private Christian college, and thats exactly what I got. Parents are one of the biggest tools for thier teenager. Remember to encourage your child, you want whats best for them, but you do not want to choose for them, because this will be one of their first big decisions that they will make on their own. When you get to school, meet as many people as possible, the college will have something called "Welcome Weekend" and that is where you will meet all of the imcoming freshman. Be yourself, and remember you are in school, it might seem like just fun and games at first, but work hard.

There are a few important things one must understand in choosing the right college. The first is that one must look toward the future of what one is trying to accomplish. Do not be pressured to find a college right away. Take your time even if it means taking a semester or two off. Not only will this relieve stress off the future student, but also provide time to prepare the funding necessary to attend college. The second important thing is a college's education and expense. It is important to know the atmosphere and culture of the campus that you will one day be attending. College visits are important for both the parents and future student. Along with the campus and education of the college is the cost of the educational institution. The reason being is if one is ill informed of the high cost of college when it is time to pay off loans it can make one question all of one's choices from the college one had attended to major and all the inbetween. No matter where one goes they will receive a college experience, it is up to you to make the most of it.

The best advice that I can give to anyone of any age looking for a college is to look for a place where you feel comfortable. The people need to be friendly, the professors need to truly care, and the campus as a whole needs to be livable. If you are not comfortable with your surroundings you will not be able to do your best on your work. It was such a comfort to have good classes where I can actually learn, good resources to draw from, and a good student life program. However, while you want to find somewhere comfortable, look for a place where you will be stretched as well. Find a strong program that you can get the best out of and professors who make you think beyond what you already know. After all, this is training for life.

Check out all the colleges and don't be afraid of the cost

My first advice to parents and/or students when finding the right college is to first consider the school's mission and priorities. Ask yourself: What this school's highest value? Is it acedemics? Religion? Athletics? etc. Weigh in these values. Your personal values and priorities should match your schools values and priorities. In other words, be what your school is about. Second , consider the environement in which the school is located in. The college you choose is going to be your home for the next four years or more. Consider the fact that it is highly unlikely that you'll spend all of your spare time on campus. Therefore, consider the city in which the school is located; what does this city have to offer you and how does it benefit your interests. If you have considers these two things and still haven't come to a decision, then you should consider school facilities such as dorms, dining, labs, and library. Lastly, consider financial. This obviously benefits you in a huge way and the subject is innevitable in every situation. Besides, if you are what the school is about, the school will more than likely help pay your way.

I will have to say that parents and students must be open to a variety of schools. Big, small, public, private. Make sure you pick out a school that will have they major you want when you get out of high school, but has other major options that you are interested in if you change your major. Make sure that you make friends, study hard (but not too hard), and don't participate in anything that will be detrimental to you body, mind, and soul :)

Living on campus helps a whole lot because you make friends much more easily. Choose a school that best fits you, and don't let financial stop you from doing what you love doing. Would you rather be in debt for a career that you get tired of or would you rather be in debt for a career that you will love doing for the rest of you life? In addition, be sure to get involved with the school so then it will be worth going to when you get out of school. For the parents, support your children where they are going and for what (major) they are going for. Keep in touch with them as well and send them care packages once in a while.

I would encourage every student and parent to visit the school on a non-visit day and hang out with one of the students to get a real feel for the school.

Weigh out the options, and check out the colleges being applied to. Watch how the students treat each other and how the students and faculty interact. Schools where there is a ratio of around 20 students per professor will generally have closer relationships between students and faculty. This makes learning easier, but you also have to know what size school better fits your needs. Another reason checking out the campus is a good idea is to find out if the setting fits what you're looking for. If you feel uncomfortable in the country and the three you applied to are in the country, you may want to do some rethinking, unless you are looking for a new and different experience. Know what you want for distance and environment, ask lots of questions, get opinions from those who know the college, and make sure the college is going to fulfill all your needs before you decide on a college.

Know what you desire in your college experience. Know the background and reputation of the colleges you are looking at. The students, faculty, and staff are the best resourse to know how your college experiencec is going to be. Don't necessarily look at how big the college is, the location, the "cool stuff" look at the people. Know who you are and pick a college you will fit best in for the next 4 years. You will never regret your choice if you follow your heart.

Start the college search early and be open to both public and private institutions.

No one knows you better then yourself. Make sure that you are looking at everything that you need to succeed after college. Dont make a decision based on where your friends might be going because they are not you and as you go through college you will change. You grow up and sometimes grow apart. Look for what you need to achieve your goals in life. Follow what feels best and trust yourself.

Going to college is a life changing experience. To parents I would stress the importance of guidance and support as your child goes through the process of school selection and preparation for the transition. To students I would say visit as many schools as you can. Spend some time on campus without the admissions counselor. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not feel embarrassed if you are unsure of yourself. And above all finish a degree. ANY degree.

plan carefully

Really check out a lot of colleges and when you find the right one. And make the most of your college experience and HAVE FUN! Don't be so into your studies that you don't have fun with friends. Also don't get a boyfriend right away, enjoy the girl time and make the most of your college experience. Don't drink and do drugs...you want to remember your college experience! You can have fun without doing drugs and drinking!

Finding the right college is like finding an extension of you. When you visit that school and you start meeting students and faculty who have the same goals and worldview as you do, you know you have come home. College provices an opportunity for you to develop your character, work habits, as well as learn the consequences of both good and bad choices. As a result, choosing the right college is all the more vital. When you have found and attended that right college, all those development and learning opportunities will all be there for you to take advantage of. If you truly desire to make the most of your college experience, be proactive to take advantage of everything your school offers. If you can but do only that, you will go far.