DePaul University Top Questions

Everyone I've talked to stresses out way too much about selecting the school that seems "perfect" for them. Forget taking the guided tours of the school and all that nonsense. If you have a good friend that already attends the school you are thinking about applying to, go with that person and walk around/mingle. On the other hand, if you don't already know someone at the school, act like a student of that college, and interact with the people. See yourself at the school, and if it feels right, it probably is right. And parents, please, you're not sending your child to Nam. Be a part of little Billy's next step in his life; don't suffocate him by practically living in his dorm. Do you really need to attend a seminar entitled, "Coping with an Empty Nest?" It's just school! Finally, and this is for you little Billy, do your school work, study hard Monday thru Thursday, and party like the sun is about to consume the earth on the weekends (re-fuel Sundays by sleeping till 4 pm and hydrating). Follow these steps for a happy and prosperous college experience.

Be prepared for everything to seem imperfect at first. Finding the perfect school is not about it feeling perfect from the moment you step foot on campus or having friends fall into your lap. College is about learning about yourself, where you've come from and where you are going and fitting that description into whichever school you coose. You make your own happiness, your own life. PIck a school that ultimately appeals to you, not your parents, boyfriend/girlfriend or friends, and relates to what you want to achieve most of all from four years in an institution that is your key to the scary, but well-anticipated adult world.

In addition to considering what you'd like to DO in the world and BE in your career, you must also consider the type of environment you want to be in every day for the next 2-4 years. Sometimes people miss that point. If you're in a place where you feel unsafe, voiceless, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or lost, then no matter how great or prestigious the institution you're attending is, it will be useless to your own personal growth. This is the time to focus on YOU. Use it wisely before it passes.

Dont think that you have to go half way across the counrty to find a good college. Give every college a chance even if its in your backyard.

Make a list of things that are very important to you and when you visit schools really look for those qualities. Ask students at that school what their social/academic life is like. Find out about ALL of the majors that are at that school, even if you don't want to get a degree in that major. Don't go somewhere because of money, go somewhere that makes you happy!

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Make sure which ever colleges you are really interested in you go and visit/take tours. College is about meeting new people but I would suggest that if you could go to school with a friend or a person you know you could hang out with, do it.

In searching for a college, it is important to determine what you hope to experience. Each college offers a unique and special experience and to determine which is best for you, it is necessary to know yourself. Knowing the things you expect to get out of your college experience can help with determining the right school. You have to ask yourself many questions relating to the size, location, environment, academics, activities, and opportunities to help with the decision. Another important practice should be to familiarize yourself with many different schools. Browse over websites and brochures from colleges, visit schools, and take notes on your likes and dislikes of each to help make a more informed decision. Choosing the right school can be critical in making the most of the college experience. Obviously without enjoying the school, it would be incredibly difficult to enjoy the experience. Most important is getting involved and staying open to new things. College is about gaining new experiences and broadening one's horizons. By staying open you will meet new people, make friends, and have a great time. Don't let the workload of school overwhelm you. College is a great experience; enjoy it.

Visit as many schools as you can and figure out what you really want for your college experience!

Go to the place where you personally will be the happiest, not where anyone else wants you to go. To be happy anywhere you first have to be happy with the fact that it was your own choice. College is amazing, and too short to waste a year by 'trying out' someone's Alma Mater, or following a relationship to school. Think of the person you want to be, and then live up to your own expectations.

Get involved and don't be afraid to try new activities or go to new places

I know higher education is very expensive nowadays, but it will be worth it. Making the most of this experience will be by how much you get yourself involved. Being on your own for the first time, for many people, requires a lot of responsiblity. Balancing everything is very key to being succesful in school. Be involved, be active, and be smart. Whatever school you decide fits you best, a smaller school or a larger school, make sure you get involved with groups, clubs, and meet people. I understand it can be very difficult trying to juggle school, work, and a social life, but make sure you prioritize and this will also help you maintain on top of everything. Do not let the money or the distance keep you from going to college. The experience and the oppourtunity is really once in a lifetime.

Deciding on what university to attend is a daunting task for both students and their parents. I believe that students should first think about what type of campus setting they are loooking for. After they've narrowed it down to large or small, urban, or more rural, they should begin researching schools. Parents can be involved in this, and help to find scholarship opportunities. I do not believe that a school should be discarded as a possibility because it is too expensive. There are hundreds of scholarships given by universities and through independent programs. Don't be discourages because you're dream school is more than your parents would like to pay. Visiting the campus is a must,because until you've seen it you can't be sure that you will be comfortable there. Once you pick the school, don't worry, its perfectly okay to be completely nervous. That's the beauty of moving away from home and living on your own, its terrifying and then really exciting. To make the most of your college experience I'd reccomend being open minded. Be excited to try new things, and remember to put studying first.

Apply to as many college/universities as possible, and visit ALL of them! Contact your roomate early so you know what to bring/prepare, and move in as early as possible on move-in day, otherwise you will be stuck taking the stairs. The most important thing from the start is to get involved. You need to make the effort to meet people and get the most of your college stay, and the only way is if you get involved in some sort of club, activity, or sport. The more involved you are the less likely you are to blow your money on alcohol and partying, and the better you will do academically. College is not cheap, and regardless if it is your money or your parents, you are in college to get a degree. Otherwise it will be your fifth year, and you may have had the funnest experience of your life, but you will have a low GPA and won't be able to find a job. Get involved!

Pick a school that you feel you can be comfortable in and one that can cater to your needs!

The advice I have for parents and students about finding the right college is that it all depends on the student. The student should find out all the small details about what they like, for example, school size, how far away they want to move, whether or not the school offers their major, and then narrow their school choices from there. I believe the price of the school does not matter because financial aid is available. Parents and students should research scholarships and find out if they qualify for grants from their state. Once they have calculated how much aid they can receive and are still in need of extra cash, then they should begin looking for loans. That way this can cut down on the money that will be owed once the student graduates. The price of tuition should not interfere with the student's choice of school because there is always a way to pay for it.

My first piece of advice would be to always think about what the students goals are and what he/she needs to make those goals reality. If the student decides that he/she one day wants to open a business of their own and has decided to major in Business Managment they should attend a school that is recognized for their business programs and speciality in that area. If a student is undecided, which is perfectly acceptable, I would say they should not jump into a four year univeristy right away and maybe attend a community college to figure out their likes/dislikes and goals. My second piece of advice ties in with choosing what type of school the students should attend. I hate to say that financially it is smarter to attend a community college if the student is unsure, but well worth going to a 4 year university that will help the student reach their career goals if they have already figured them out. Most of the time students choose to further their education to get well paying jobs and choosing to do that can be very expensive, so it ultimately helps the student in the long run.

Parents, your kids are going to have an awesome time in college and you should encourage them to live them on campus and find multile outlets of financial aid so they don't have heftly loans when they graduate. Students, enjoy college while you can. In four years, you will be wondering where the time went as you sit down to balance your navy blue checkbook at the dinner table. Do everything you were afraid to do while you're in college.

Finding the right college demands that you look at your self and decided a few things. First, what school size makes you feel the most comfortable? Second, do mind living in a rural area that most state schools are located or a larger city that most private schools are located in? Third, do you NEED to go away to school your first year? There is no shame to going to a low cost community college for the first year as you will get the same classes for a fraction of the cost.

Attend a school that you know will help you become a success and strive in what you do. Make sure that the faculty and staff are committed to making sure that you receive the best educaton thats out there. Also find a school that provides many alternatives to finance your education, such as financial aid, scholarships, payment plans, and loans. When you do find the right school work very hard so that you can do well. Don't slack and take this opportunity for granted. Take advantage and strive for the best in life. Just study very hard and just complete the work that your professor requested you to do and you should be fine.