DeSales University Top Questions

Follow your heart and your passion, not the money.

Look everywhere you can. Never turn down a school because you've never heard of it or it isn't big enough. Never pick a school for its football team. Visit. Sometimes, even though you can't pinpoint why, a school simply doesn't feel like home to you. It will be your home, so that's important. Take into consideration where you've always wanted to live. Look there! Keep finances in mind, but remember there are aways options like financial aid and scholarships. When you visit schools, ask questions. Keep in mind the area surrounding your school. If you don't have a car, an area with not much to do could be a bad idea if you have to drive to places. If you hate the city and your dream school is in Philadelphia, definitely take time to think. Will there be places to worship? What if hunger strikes during an all-nighter? Are the dorms wet or dry? What are the rules for visitors in the dorm rooms? When you visit schools, write things down, because after a while, they all run together, and this is an important decision.

When picking a school, the parents and students should agree on what both of them want in terms of size and location and how good the programs are at the school. In the end though the student has the final say in where they would like to attend. Go to the colleges for tours or open houses and get a feel for what the campus is really like (it is probably better to go on a school day and not a weekend when all the students are sleeping). Really get to know what the students and faculty are like at the school to make sure that they are people the student can get a long with and learn from for the next four years or so. Find out as well what the social life is like and what kind of activites are offered so that one learns outside of the classroom just as much as in the classroom. Also see what the living conditions are like and how safe the area is around the school because no one wants to feel unsafe when living on their own. Make sure that the school cafeteria has good food as well.

When students look for a college that is right for them, they should consider two things. The first, they must evaluate where they feel most comfortable. It is so important for a student to feel like they belong at the college they choose to attend. They should have an idea of whether they want to attend a large school or a small one, and whether or not they want to be in a rural or urban environment. The second important thing for a student/parent to consider when trying to find the right college is where are they going to get the best education for the cost. College is very expensive and it would be a waste to spend so much money and not receive a great education.

Do your research, visit schools, ask students who go there questions, talk to professors, explore the area around the school.

No advice

Make sure they like the teachers and the program for real. Don't go to a school for one reason alone, make sure there are a lot of reasons for picking a school. Find somewhere to get involved.

I believe that when you are at the right school you feel it. The moment I walked onto DeSales campus I knew this was the school for me, my mother felt it as well. Follow your gut, when your in the right place, you will feel it!

You can find the right college anywhere. No matter where you go, it's what you make of it that matters.

To students who are searching for the right college for them, follow your gut and visit! I had no idea what type of college was best for me when I was a senior. I did a lot of online research but nothing compares to being on campous. The college I would have picked on paper I ended up really disliking. Yet when I walked onto DeSales campous, it just felt right. The atmosphere was just what I had alsway imagined college to be like. Friendly people, well kept grounds, great facilities and a staff that really cared about the student as a person and not just another dollar sign. You really have to just try everything and imagine yourself there in a year or two. It's only scarry in appearence. For parents of soon-to-be-students, support your kids. The right choice does not come easily. Point out things that they might not know to look for like activities on the social board. Use your experience and knowledge of college and your child and help blend the two together. Don't be afraid of the price tag either, with aid all doors are open. Good Luck to All!