Shaina
When I was trying to decide where I would spend these four important years of my life, it was overwhelming and a little scary at times. What helped me the most was my family. After visiting a college, my parents would ask me what I thought. They did not try to sway my opinion if theirs was different, and they always made sure I knew that they supported me. After visiting DeSales University, I got this feeling inside that I could not explain. I knew that this was where I wanted to be. My advise to students is to do everything you can to find that place. Not everyone has the same opinions, so go where you feel comfortable and academically challenged. College becomes your second home and you will be happiest when you attend the college that actually FEELS like a second home. Parents, do not be afraid to let go of your children. It was hard for my parents to say goodbye, but despite the distance between my family and I, we are as close as ever. Showing your children that you support and love them will make their return visits even more special.
Kathleen
Visit as many schools as you are interested. I only visited one and based my lone decision on purely the academic stand point and particularly for one major that excels there. As many other college students, I changed my major and now I am someting compeltely different so ultimately the original reason I came here doesn't exist anymore. Although along the way I met life long friends through my varsity soccer team, I could have had a much broader selection if I would have taken other things beside academics into consideration. Education is important especially as your college education is meant to build your career but consider all aspects of the college before deciding.
Steven
Choosing the right college is one of the most difficult decisions you can make in your life. Find a college that has the area that you want to concentrate all your studies to and pursue that as a backbone for your decision. Then look at the social life of the campus. Does it fit your needs? Is this what you are really looking for? When you visit the college, picture yourself walking through the halls as if you were a student walking to class and see if this is what you want. Be honest with yourself, trust your instincts, and follow your heart. Find your dream and live it. The sky is the limit.
Jaclyn
When starting the college search process, it is important to make sure you look at colleges that you, as the student, are interested in. It is also important not to feel obligated to go to a particular college because someone tells you to. This choice is about your future, no one else's. Visit the top colleges that you chose. The one that you feel most at home is the best one to decide on. This college is where you will be spending four years to better your education. Picking a college that is rather large as opposed to a smaller one is not necessarily the one for you.
During college the most important thing is to make the most of it. Meet new people, take time to enjoy the campus and surroundings, be active in campus activities, and most of all remember that your life after college most likely depends or your schoolwork. But remeber that there is alway time for relaxation and time with friends. College memories will last for a lifetime, so make the most of them.
Amanda
College is a calling....an experience that helps develop who you are and who you want to become.
Laura
Do not focus on just money, remember college is a wonderful investment and you have your entire life to pay it off. Try and choose what will be best for you, you would not want to be somewhere unhappy or depressed. Remeber your happiness is key and if that means spending some more than so be it.
Kyle
Think things through very carefully and take into consideration EVERYTHING you want in a college to find the right one for you. For example, some things to consider would be: would you want to attend a school with a large sports team? small/large class size? does the school offer your specific major, and does it have alternante programs of interest to you if you decide to change your major? does the school harbor peers that have similar backgrounds/interests as you? Is your school affordable?
For students: choose the school that YOU like best and feel the most comfortable attending. Don't go by where your parents want you to go, where your friends are going, or just so you can say you go to a specific school (if it's an unknown school, but you're happy, that's whats important). Think about yourself and your true wants and needs and find the school that works best for you!
Zach
In the words of Socrates, "Know thyself." Before making a college decision it is of the utmost importance to understand your interests and your limitions. So many kids go to college with the attitude that they are gonna get a fresh start and leave behind their high-school selves. This attitude is not only unadvisable but dangerous. Since the college world so different with all kinds of new responsabilities and choices to be made, personal freedom becomes a huge factor. Personal freedom can be a good thing as long as it entails growth, but that becomes impossible without an identity. That identity void can be filled with many different oppinions, habits, ideas and life-styles. For example, some might lose themselves at a party school, so go for something small instead.
For new students, in stead of trying to find a new identity, try to improve on the things that are already good about yourself and let college develope those aspects. Otherwise, regardless of what you think about yourself right now, you never know what kinds of things you might get yourself into. So when choosing a school, know yourself, know what your interested in, and stick to your values.
tom
Don't worry about the grades, go somewhere that you can GROW!!!!!
Melissa
I would explain to the students that they should attend a college/university that they love; not one that there parent(s) love. The student is the one attending college, not the parents. While parents' advice and knowledge is important in choosing a school, the student must make the final decision themselves. Once the student chooses a school he/she loves, he/she should get invovled in at least one activity at the school; this should occur within the first couple of weeks of school. Also, many school are now holding orientation programs for freshmen/first year students once the students move in to the school. I would highly recommend that the students attend all of the programs the school plans for orientation. I have known many people who have made their closest friends during orientation. My final piece of advice would be do stay in touch with friends at home. Many times people have one extreme or another (they lose all contact with friends or don't make new friends because they are too "into" their friends from home), so they should keep intouch with the friends from home, but make new ones at school.
Anna
This survey was kinda long and some questions seemed to be redundent. But alot of it was good I actually enjoyed some of the questions presented. It made me think about how i feel about DeSales and made me loce it more.
Nick
It's not so much about finding the school you like the most as it is about finding teh school you hate the least. When you choose a school you love, you'll soon find the honeymoon to be over as you simply grow bored with all the things that once thrilled you. If you find a school you hate the least, you are guaranteeing yourself that, even as you inevitably grow bored with what the school has to offer, you will never regret your time there.
Suki
Definately let your kids stay for an over-night at the colleges that they are looking at. Also, visit twice, once in the winter to see the campus mostly dead, and also in the spring and see what the campus is like when it is really bustling.
Douglas
For students- they just need to find a school that they actually love. Thats what happened with me, my grandmother kept saying go to a local school since it's cheap but i felt out of place at like state colleges. Here i felt like i belonged.
Kayleen
The most valuable advice that I am able to give anyone is: if you know what you want in life then go for it. Don't be scared of the "what if" question's regarding a career such as "what if I don't make it" or "what if I can't live up to it." Follow your heart and mind in choosing the best school for you and take everything into consideration. Don't just think of your individual major but also about the campus life. What are the dorms like? How do other students that already attend like the school? Don't be afraid to explore and discover all that the college or university has to offer.
Lauren
Many students change their major in college. Pick a school that you think has a variety of good majors that you will be interested in. Take internships relating to what you want to do when you graduate. It really helps put your goals in perspective. Really get to know other students during Orientation week. It's the best way to make friends. Always be open to new ideas and experiences. That's what college is all about--expanding your horizons.
Victoria
Find a college that is about you. This is not selfish, but a tactic to find your true fit in a place where you will spend the most important years of your life. Make sure you can live in the dorms--you spend more time there than you realize--it must be home! Investigate the integrity of the academic programs, and do not be afraid to go to a small, lesser known school. Just because it does not have a name like Harvard does not mean that its graduates are any less successful or that its programs are any less amazing. Look at the environment around your school; can you handle living in a cornfield or do you need the city lights? Attend overnight programs, meet professors, and KNOW them. They are your best confidants, contacts, and friends--and they've been there! They know what it's like to do what you are trying to do. Never let go of your values and do not be afraid to stand up for what you want. Focus on your studies but take the time to make your best friend and meet your potential husband/wife. This is your time. Embrace it.
Gabrielle
make sure you visit the colleges you are interested. Also , if some schools offer the oppourtunity to spend the night on the campus before attending the school, i would strongly suggest you take the time to do these things.
Kelly
Step outside the box even when thinking about where you might want to go. You will gain so much confidence in your first couple years of school that you don't want to think back playing the what if i try for that school. If you have a reach school...try for it. Don't regret anything and realize that you are worthy for anything you want. You already can have what you want, just try and if it doesn't work- pick yourself back up and do something else. (Easier said then done, I know.) You see, college is an amazing experience to learn things you never realized you cared about, to get involed to make life long friends and strenghten your relationships with old ones. Make your college experence what YOU want it to be. It is all about growing and learning. Enjoy your time and cerish it because it goes so quickly. Above all, live INFINITLY.
And to the parents- your kids still need you. don't forget. :-)
Kristine
I would say to check out as many schools as possible and when you've found the right one, go with it. Go with what feels right. Ask a lot of questions, find out from real students, not just the ones who work for the school and try to find out what activities in the area and at the school appeal to you. I would also take advantage of any kind of stay over the school might offer. They're a fun way to learn about the school and also meet the students who go there.