Denison University Top Questions

Stay open-minded. There are a lot of colleges and universities out there so students should make sure they have seen everything before making a decision. Visit the campus and if you have your heart set on a particular school, try and interview once or twice with the admissions office. It shows your interest and they'll remember you.

Do what you feel

Don't come into the college selection process with any biases. Keep an open mind and, soon, you'll find that you don't know much about what you're looking for. Most schools are great for someone, but the more you visit, the more you'll understand which great place is the right one for you. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. I only visited schools that matched my ill-informed standards -- small, mid- to highly-ranked liberal arts schools. The college I ended up attending is a great place, but after two years (and numerous visits with friends at schools all over the country), there's no question in my mind that I would have been happier somewhere else. If you're dying to go to an Ivy, visit your flagship state school. If you can't imagine life without Big Ten football, check out a tiny liberal arts college. Whe you do, talk to students, professors, staff -- anyone and everyone. Don't be shy. No one will remember what you asked if you decide to come, and it can help you make the most of the next four years of your life.

It is very important to do research and to narrow down what types of schools that are in interest to the student. The worst thing to happen would be to invest time and money into a school/experience that isn't what the student wanted.

Keep your search as broad as you can! If you only look at a few schools, then the one that seems the best only seems so great relative to few others you consider. When you visit schools, find Juniors and Seniors that will sit down and talk to you for a few minutes, and tell them to give it to you straight, and objectively at that. Often times students feel they have a responsibility to stretch the truth or accent the positives of their school, but they probably have a lot of information that you'll wish you had known a few years down the road.

You need to visit the college and make sure it 'feels' right -if it doesn't feel right, don't go. Be aware of the immediate surroundings and ask yourself whether it is a setting you will feel comfortable in, realize that what is beyond walk distance or a short drive may be hard to access, especially if you do not have a car on campus. Talk to student on campus and make sure they have the types of programs you want academically and socially. Spending the night on campus is a great way to get some honest answers from student and experience the college for yourself. Lastly, realize that it is okay if you realy feel after a year that you made the wrong decision, even if it means leaving the school and starting over.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO APPLY BECAUSE OF COST! If you find a college that seems perfect, but is way out of your price range, go ahead and apply and wait and see what the financial aid package looks like. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA! Also, just like with the admissions process, what you will get out of your college experience depends on how much work you put in. Join clubs and organizations - meet people. take the effort the first semester to get out and experience campus...you'll find your niche, just give it time.

I would say go to whatever school fits you. When i first visited Denison i really liked it, I liked the whole atmosphere of it. Select a school where you like the environment that it has. Also, don't let price deter you. Many schools offer great financial aid. To make the most of the college experience I would say to get involved, whether it be in sports or clubs or fraternities or sororities. There is more to college than school, getting involved helps you meet many people and make friends.

Pay attention to the types of students you see walking around the campus, the experience of the professors, and the overall geography of the school.

Don't make your decision solely based on tour/what you learn when visiting because that's what I did and I hate Denison; I feel soooo deceived and so do many students here. TALK TO STUDENTS WHO DONT WORK FOR ADMISSIONS OFFICE BECAUSE THEIR ANSWERS ARE WORTHLESS ASIDE FROM STATISTICS/FACTS. Honestly, really talk to other students--ask them what they HONESTLY think. Inquire about the social life--especially if you don't plan to drink. Ask about housing situation if you can't afford to live off campus. Don't pick school that's rural/secluded if you won't have a car. Even though the applications are annoying/costly, apply to many schools and be certain about your choice because four years is a long time to be miserable and transferring is really hard for lots of reasons. Don't pick a school just because they offer you the most money if you can financially afford to have more discresion. Finally, don't come to Denison unless you're a really smart upper-middle class preppy white kid who plans to go Greek. Those are only types of people who have a prayer of liking it here.