DePaul University Top Questions

I would tell parents to start early when looking for a school for their children. The school should be well rounded to fit the childs academic ability with room for group, have support services such as tutoring with good hours, computer labs with long hours and open everyday, spiritual and psychological support, public transportation easily accessible, a good selection of classes, teachers that are experts in the field they teach, teachers that are helpful and understanding, good extracurriular activies that are safe and fun, but most importantly a place that feels like home. Your child should be comfortable in his/her surroundings.

A college education is probably the most important investment you'll ever make in your life. College will mold you from your high school days into the adult world. Choose wisely, but do not let money be the main deciding factor. If you are a responsible student, you will meet extraordinary people and become involved in life-altering experiences; apply yourself and do everything you can to maximize your options. Whatever you do most importantly of all, do not let yourself become susceptible to living in a state of amnesia - be alive!

Parents: Don't try to push your kid towards one particular school; Remember, this are teenagers. It will likely just make solidify their desire for another. Students: VISIT! Visit, visit, visit. You cannot get a true feel for the atmosphere of a college campus or community unless you go there. You may think you want a rural college town, only to go there and realize you actually want Urban. Apply to a variety of schools. No matter how deadset on a particular "type" you might be, it can, and very likley will, change.

Finding the right college is a hard discussion. I would say that doing your research, speaking to current or graduate students, making trips to different colleges, finding out about tuitions and financial aid and also speaking to college advisor would be the top steps to making the most of you college experience.

Students need to make sure when they set foot on that campus that it "clicks". They should have that feeling that they will be at "home" and feel extremely comfortable. You also should take into account what kind of environment you want to be in -- large university town, campus amidst another location, class size, diversity, etc... I would encourage students to get as involved as possible -- and I don't mean just in clubs, but going out into the "world" and use your schools to your advantage. Find jobs that pertain to your area of interest, make connections with your professors so that they can help you network, take classes that will help you gain experience, and put forth your best effort. It will help you out in the long run and make your experience more rewarding. Finally, make friends!! Social activity is one of the most important parts of school. Don't be afraid to interact with different kinds of people and to get out and try new things. AFter all, these people could be your friends for life.

Visit every campus that you find yourself interested in from a first glance. This includes both academic opportunities as well as overall beauty and social life. Once you step foot onto the campus that will stand as a stepping stone to your future, you will know that is the place for you. Everything will stand out. You will go home that night and have dreams of your future. You will tell all your friends and family of the wonder campus. In order to make the most out of your personal college experience you have to feel comftorable. Once you are at the university do not submit yourself to your past lifestyle. Get out there, try something new, and make lifelong friends. Get involved, it is not the place to waste your time just doing school work and playing video games in your dorm room. This college will be behind your name on your resume for the rest of your life. Make the most of it and take every opportunity you can to get involved. In addition work as hard as you can. These 4 years of your life will determine your future. Work hard and make the best of it.

Do your research. Narrow your college list down to 6 or 7 schools and really try and picture yourself at each college. Look not only at the school as a whole, but the details of each. Look into school organizations, groups, campus housing, certain classes, and anything else that may interest you. Take into consideration how far this school is from home depending if you would like to be far and close from home. If they offer it, possibly stay the night at the school and see if it feels natural. Decide whether or not you benefit from large classes or small classes. To make the most of your college experience, go into college keeping an open mind. You are bound to interact with people completely different from yourself and having an open mind will allow you to take the most from these interactions. Force yourself to go outside of your comfort zone and try new things. Have no regrets, but make sure you always keep your sights on what is really important.

Begin by selecting certain areas that are important to you (i.e. location, major, size). For each school, look at all the aspects that make up the university. Make sure the school you choose matches your requirements and expectations. Also, do not rule out shcools that seem different to you. I think it's very important to be challenged in college. It is a once in a lifetime experience and should be somthing that has the power to bring you out of your comfort zone. In the long run, being exposed to new people, places, and situations will only make you a stronger, more aware individual.

College is a time to truly develop who you are and shape the future you desire. It is a time of when opportunities arise to either better or worsen you - the choice is absolutely in your hands and your hands alone. College also gives partial independance and freedom, in introduction to what could lie beyond school.

Make sure this place will fit the type of person you are, don't attend because it is where your parents want you to go, do it for yourself

Balance what the curriculum, the commuting, cost of attendance and living, and major will impact professional career and social life.

The best advise is to start early and take time to visit campuses. When you arrive on campus you sort of have to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to form new friendships. Stay in contact with parents and family for support and take advantage of what the college has to offer, both academically and socially. Don't box yourself in, remain flexible but still remember the reason you are there. I think kids get caught up in "becoming a couple" and that can be overwhelming an keep you from enjoying the college experience as a learning tool.

When parents and/or students are selecting a college, parents should guide their child, but the final decision should be the student's. Visit and tour the campus, speaking to current students as well as the student guides. Try to visit a small, a medium, and a large university, assessing the atmosphere of each. Be aware that some colleges are commuter campuses, and if you are from out of town, the weekends could be lonely. It is extremely important to get information on financial help and scholarships available through the individual college/university. Do your research on issues that are important to you. Some schools offer better programs for athletes, theater, or specific majors than others. The more information you can gather on the types of colleges/universities available and the specific ones you might be interested in, the more prepared you will be to make an informed decision as to the best match of a school that will suit your needs.

Don't lie to the college guidance counselor and be as brutally honest as possible. When it comes to college you have to understand yourself and your parents.

Make sure their child visits each campus more than once. You can't see or learn enough with only one experience. Over night stays are the best if that is available. It's important that as a student you fill comfortable inside the classroom, the study areas, or hang outs with friends. The whole college experience is to inspire you so make sure that you pick what you think is best! If you change your mind after a year and think the school doesn't suit you like you had hoped, it's perfectly fine to go to another. In fact, many people switch schools and still continue their education while being able to be happy.

Finding the right school for you can be very difficult. When trying to decide try to consider all aspects of what would make you happy. Think of location, class sizes, the colleges strengths and connections in the field that you want, and unfortunately affordability. Make all efforts to get as much aid as you can when you find the school that you believe you can be comfortable with. Once you get there it is all about the experiences you have. Study hard and be open to new ideas of how you view the world. Get to know those around you since they can help you embrace your new home and build friendships of people who care about the same things you do. Your environment can be an extended classroom as well. Never feel limited, but seize every opportunity you get. Stay focused and committed and you will begin to shape the life you have worked your whole life to acheive and will most likely influence others along the way.

Honestly, after the obstacles i have faced both finacial, accademically and economically, i will advice parents/students to start off at a community college (if finance is and issue) gather your decision on a major, transfer to a University that you can either afford without struggles and overload on loans, or a school that can offer enough schlorships. In the meanwhile, protect your credit. YES credit. Without an excellent or fair credit line/score, it is going to be very difficult to qualify for student loans, or any loan at that. For students, it is fair to protect your credit early to give assistance to your family in tuition for goals they sacrifice for your future. At the age of college, learn self discipline in every way. Concentrate, apply for all options, stay focused and save for both loan repayment or neccessities needed while in school....which will be excessive for that brighter future WE ALL want to attain. GOOD LUCK....BE SMART....RESEARCH everything. Make yourself proud plus your supporters. BE

While going to a student's dream school sounds great, if the school is unwilling to offer financial awards, go to somewhere that will. School is school, a student will be able to meet friends, and recieve a top education for far less stress in the upcomming future as soon as those loans start to pile up. Allow the student to have a stress free school year, unburdened by financial issues. Also, school is school, and the first two years are rather general, so think about what the student wants to really do before diving into such a financial commitment.

Attend tours and talk to as many students as possible about what campus life is about. You cant find out everything about a school from its web site. You need to meet the people who are actually experiencing what takes place on campus.

Be your self, have fun!