DePauw University Top Questions

Everyone is different. For me, finding the right college meant visiting everywhere I was accepted and literally setting foot on campus. I fell in love with my school from the moment I stepped out of the car. Go to school where you feel the most comfortable. Take into account the atmosphere, the landscape, and the people around you. Pay attention to such things as, do the majority of students look happy? and how they react to you and others around you. Keep in mind what you want from college and pay attention to those details. Capitalize on every opportunity. Take advantage of what your school has to offer by way of extracurriculars, academic support, free lectures, art shows, concerts, computer help, etc. There are loads of hidden gems tucked away in the campus calendar, so check it out! Study hard, but play hard too. It is important to do well in school but also to do well in life. Make friends, join a club or two, and exercise. College is really about finding out who you are and what you want from life while learning skills and education to help you out in the real world.

I would have them make out a list of EVERYTHING they're looking for when selecting a college. Everything matters even from small details such the kind of weather they would like to live in to the large details such as the job and internship opportunities the school or the surrounding community has to offer. The search for the right college is difficult, but making out a detailed list could ease the pressure, especially when you visit your highschool or community counselors. They can help prospective students find the colleges that meet their criteria to the best of their abilities. Searching for the right college is the perfect opportunity for prospective students to discover what will truly make them happy.

Simply this: "Time". In today's society, we all seem to be in a hurry to find or create the ideal, when in reality the ideal may be either in front of you, or what you believed to be the ideal may not have been ideally GOOD for you. This process takes time, and my advice would be the use of patience in our decisions. Haste in the decision process can be unforgiving, yet as well haste in the attempts to mold our situation when clearly there is an issue can cause more harm than good. Understand that time allows not only thought, but time allows for experience. During one's first year, those experiences allow for more informed decision on both the parts of the student as well as the parent. Patience can be one's greatest ally, but a lack can be one's greatest hindrance. I'm still applying this principle to my own life, for if I were to refrence the Bible, for it is a great part of my faith, I would turn and quote Philipians 4:6 which states that we must "be anxious for nothing." Regardless of what you believe, it's wisdom.

My first peice of advice is to ask what the student wants to do with his life. If they are a million percent certain, look for a school that has a great program the student's interested in. If there is any room for doubt, choose a school with plenty of flexibility so that the student can keep the options open. Second piece of advice: don't be afraid of loans...! Third piece of advice: Parents, understand your child is growing to be a man/woman. So give them space and treat them like adults. Trust me, when we feel vulnerable, we'll come to you. Lastly, students, focus on learing something new every day, and your experience will be completely worth it.

The right college includes all the classes you plan to take - and even more classes that you never even thought about before. College is an exceptional commitment and it's all about opportunities. In college it is very possible that you will change your plans for the future and a truly good school will be able to accomodate for that change. A college or university that you feel limits you in a field, lifestyle, major or level of comfort is a poor choice and only you can make that decision. When you can walk down a sidewalk or street on campus and marvel at the scope of people and opportunities around you, then you have found where you belong. And don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Vist your choices, known what learening enviornment fits you best, budget accordingly and pray for guidence, go with you gut feeling.

Make sure you visit a variety of colleges (i.e large, small, public, private, Christian, small town, city, etc.) Even if you are certain you know the kind of college you want to go to, it can't hurt to at least see everything first. Campus tours are great for information, but if you really wwant to get a feel for the campus, walk around on your own, talk to some students, or even plan an overnight stay. The campus tour is good, but I learned more about the school just walking around and seeing what life at the school was like. If you're looking to play a sport, make sure you meet some team members to make sure you like the fit. Also, don't throw out any choices simply because they're expensive or you don't think you'll get in. Go through the whole process first. Then make your decision. Things may work out better than you thought they would.

Go with your instincts but keep an open mind. Sometimes you'll get that gut feeling when you step onto a college campus that says, "This school isn't right for me." Other times it will say, "I could really fit here." But still other times, you might be the person that swears she'll never go to a school because they send her so much mail, submit your free common application anyway, and end up spending 4 unforgettable years there. That was me and because I reconsidered my school with an open mind, I found opportunities I would not experience anywhere else. Once you get enrolled, move in, etc., take advantage of the unique opportunities your school has to offer (as much as you can while still maintaining your grades and health, of course). Explore different clubs, participate in internships, build relationships with your professors (their letters of recommendation may really come in handy), and remember to stay open to your own personal growth and the growth of those around you.