Delaware Valley University Top Questions

Don't go to private schools they are small, limited in resources and experiences, and extremely expensive.

I would first recommend that prospective student visit the campus both on the day the school sets for future students as well as setting up an appointment for a private tour on a seperate day. Look into class sizes and find out information about the kinds of teachers specific to each major. See if the prospective student can make some friends with current students on a social networking site to find out "the inside scoop", but remember that each person has their own experience so don't take their opinion as the undebatable truth. Visit different colleges even if you are not planning to attend them just to compare the settings and see what fits best with your personality. Distance and availablility of transportation home should be factored in depending on the student. Always remember, you get what you put in when it comes to a college. If there is "nothing to do" it could be that you just aren't finding or making things for you do to. Don't just pick a school based on its list of extracuriculars or greek activities because once you are there that may not be what it seemed.

i would tell them that going to visit the colleges that you have most interest in or it feels good to you, is something you should do! you want to go to a college that feels right to you, something similar to home, its comfortable. maybe a school that is close to home or a school that isn't but easy accessiblity to go home. accessibility to the grocery store, walmart. take into consideration at the curriculum when you go or check the school out, see if they have your area of study and check if they have something else that interest you. a few other things is to look into the financial aid, the work study. Talk to your financial advisor about all options for grants (mostly), loans that won't cost you so much in the end. If your AP highschool credits can transover.

Study! ;)

First, make sure the student is ready to commit to a four-year college. I personally felt I wasn't ready, so I commuted from home for two years to a community college. I gained a lot of independence and study skills that way and was able to confidently go to Delval's interview and say, "I graduated from this community college." They love to hear that you've made that kind of commitment. Once the student is ready to start looking at 4-year colleges, they should decide where they want to be in relation to home, how big of a campus they want, and above all, what they want to pursue. Parents should be prepared to help their children financially and emotionally; it's a big change in everyone's life. I also think that everyone should be prepared for even more changes, such as if the student decides to change majors and take a different direction. Overall, I think most lessons are waiting to be learned at college and so it is best to just get out there.

The most important advice I would give to both a parent and a student is to really reseach the schools you are looking at. The biggest problem I see at my school is when students complain that "everybody goes home on the weekend and there is never anything to do." My response is always, "you should have looked into the social life of the school more." The other problem I see a lot is not liking the curriculum offered for the degree they are already working towards. Once again, they should have really researched the school and not just settled because the school has that major. College is a very expensive endeavor, and those looking at colleges/universities as the next step should really take the time and dig deep into the schools that they are applying to, making sure that it is truely the correct decision.

You have to go visit the campus before hand. That is one of the most important things. They might have the program you're looking for, but if you don't feel comfortable on the campus, you'll never be able to complete your academic career there to the best of your abilities.

Visit colleges on days that arent open houses, talk to the students that go there. Attend an atheletic event you like. Go on a weekend also to check out the school, explore the surrounding areas.

Research and visit a lot of colleges to find the right one for you. Visit state schools and small, private schools to find the right size college for you. If already know what your intended major is, look for schools that will give you a lot of hands-on experience and has good job placement. Visiting the campus is the most important part of finding the right college for you. Find a school that fits your personality, whether it is social or reserved. Location means a lot too. If you like the city, be in the city. If you prefer the country, find a rural school. Also look into the financial aid packages of each school to see which colleges will give you the most money. Sometimes private schools are able to give more financial aid than government-funded schools. If you can, facebook current students to get the inside scoop and make friends before even getting on campus. An overall picture of a school can really help make the decision easier. If you don't know what you want out of a school, visit different ones anyway. You are bound to find one that seems to fit you.

Try not to llok at all the parties as a turn off to a great school . If your son/daughters friends know that your son /daughter does not drink or do any of that stuff they are most often not even asked to join. Only if they go looking and get them selves into it will they get into troulble.

I would say students that are looking for the right college should always go visit the campus. Pictures may be decieving so it is better to personally visit the campus. You should feel at home there and comfortable. It will be your home for the next 4 years so you should enjoy it. Personally I liked a smaller campus so i knew the people that I walked by every day and so I didnt have to walk to far to get to places.

Take your time and start early

Going to college is one of the best experiences of an individual's life. Even if you are just getting out of high school or if you are older and choosing to go back to school. Finding the right college is the scariest part of the process. You might not be sure if you want to attend a private school, a big university or a community college. A lot of factors tie into these decisions. A few examples could be if your comfortable around a lot of people or how much financial aid you would get from the school you choose. But when you do make this decision making the most out of your college experience is all that matters. Make sure as the student, or as the parent, make sure your child gets involved in school activities., especially for freshmen. There are always group activities to help get to know the other new students. Remember you are not the only one there going through this process. Your entire graduating class is having questions and concerns about their experience as well. You have to make the most of it. Step in there and make friends. You will do just fine!

If you are looking for the right school whether you are a parent or a student there are some things you should do. Make sure to visit the school at least twice before deciding. Get a feel for the campus. Is it too small or large for your preferences? Having a college that suits your personality will dictate how well you do. Ask to see each dorm facility. Each one might have different amenities/set ups. You don't want to come to school with the supplies for one room only to get one that is completely different. Talk to professors and students on the campus. Don't take the word of your guide alone. Professors can tell you what they expect from students and where many students end up. The students can give you unbiased opinions of the college, such as the opportunities it provides, the good and bad courses, and how to get the most financial aid. Find alumni from the school. They can tell you whether they thought their experience was worthwhile or not. You may be able to gauge from their success. One the most important factors is make sure the college has what you want.

Think about what you want to get out of your college experience. First, it is best to go into college having a basic idea of what kind of career you want to obtain upon graduation. Then, pick a major that is somewhat closely related to what you want to do. Next, determine if you would prefer large classes and a large campus, or a small campus with small classes where the teacher can get to know you. You should also look into the amount of hands on experience related to your major you are capable of receiving at each campus. Once you find the right college, get out there and make some friends. Don't spend your entire campus life in your room studying. Have fun at school, or you will absolutely hate it.

Do not set boundaries when looking- like price or distance. Make a pros and cons list of what you'd like to see or experience in a school before you go to visit, and always go to visit! Leave the final decision up to the student and remember that pros and cons list. Once there, at first get involved in everything that interests you- make a diversity of friends. As the years go buy weed out the things that are not so important and focus on those that are. Keep track of everything you do or get involved in so you can add them to your resume. Get a job on campus if at all possible- they pay well, its close by, and they are very accomadating. NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

The best advice is to make your own decisions. It is also normal to change your major at least once in your college career. This is the best way to find what you truly enjoy, and would want to make a career out of. Also, get into as many clubs and / or sports as possible (while being able to handle your studies). This is the best way to meet people with the same interests as yourself. Also, it is common to make mistakes. I've made my fair share of them, and learned from every one of them. Parents, let your kids grow up. They need to find their own path. Students, talk to the upperclassmen - they don't bite. They are more than willing to guide you, whether its where the best local restaurants are, or who the best professors are. They also make excellent tutors for your problem areas.

When selecting a college, take the time to make sure the college you are intererested fits all of your needs and desires. Education at college, in the long term, is the most important thing to consider. Often times there are many colleges that will carry your desired field of interest. That leaves other important factors to consider in the college selection process: the environment, college setting, atmosphere, social interaction and diversity, distance from home, athletics, campus acivities, job placement rate post-graduation, financial aid, tuition costs and your overall opinion of the college. Do some research to find the schools that cater to your field of interest, then visit and tour each campus. You will begin to form an impression of what each college is like. I would recommend staying a night of two at the college to make sure that it feels right for you. If a college feels like the right fit for you, then you will be able to decide which college to attend. The campus will be your second home for the next few years, and your peers will be your second family. If one considers the aforesaid factors, a positive memorable college experience will follow.

Some students might find that they know exactly which school they want to go to after their first visit to the campus. First impressions and feelings are often the most correct. Along with the first impression, the way you are treated on your first visit will often tell you how much value the school puts on each of its students. For example, prospective students at my school are given personal tours by current students and have an opportunity to meet with the financial advisor and professors in their major in a one-on-one setting. Some larger schools may only do group tours that place students as one of many. It all depends on how you feel on that visit and whether the school will offer you opportunity to go where you want to with your future. The right school has to have an agreeable living situation as well as the proper coursework for your future profession.

Let the students decide what school to go to based on what they want to do. If they don't know what they want to do find a school with things that appeal to them so they can be in a good environment to figure out what they want to do. Look at every aspect of a school including the finances and make sure that parents and students talk to figure out who is going to pay for school and how. Talk about communication between parents and student while the student is at schoool, whether it be once a week or everyday just to check in and actual conversations every so often. Also talk about being away from home vs commuting, everyone should have their input, but it should ultimately be the student's decision.