Dickinson College Top Questions

The most important advice I would give to parents and students about finding the right school is to visit the campus. There is no better way to get a feel for how you'd fit into a school than by placing yourself on the campus. My current school was at the bottom of my list because it was not a well-known school and it was a safety school for me. My counselor made me apply and it was honestly the last application I filled out because I just didn't want to go there. My parents talked me into visiting, but after visiting my top choice and I decided the campus didn't feel right. The next morning I drove onto my current campus and fell in love. The staff and students I saw knew me by name from my application and were friendly and helpful, and the students looked happy and relaxed. The feeling I got when I walked onto the campus was exciting because I felt like it was a place I'd be comfortable and able to be the most successful.

Find the college that best fits your personality and the classroom setting you would ultimately like to see yourself in.

For finding the right college the student should look through all the mail they have been sent and pick out 15-20 that look like they might interest you. Then look at those schools online and narrow it down to 10. Compare those schools, visit them, and find out as much information as you can. I think that 6 schools is a good number (2 saftey, 2 goal, and 2 reach schools). As for making most of the college experience, you should join clubs on campus that interest you the most. Attend their first meetings, but then really get involved in one or two that really interest you. I love being the president of Habitat and Vice President of the Middle Eastern Club. Once you understand how the school works you can even create your own club like I did (Belly Dance Club). If you join clubs you not only get involved on campus and the community, but you make more friends doing it. College is a time to try new things and meet new people so your first year there I would advize you to attend as many events as you can in order to get the full experience.

Narrow your search to a few schools and then get a real feel for each of them. Spend at least one night on campus with a current student and talk to as many people as you can about their experience, and do not limit yourself to those working for admissions. Once you think you have found the right school, visit it once more during finals week. See how stressed the students are and how available professors are. Don't forget to ask as many people as possible about their experience during this time. It will provide you with a more realistic perception of how it will be to attend the school. Try to also observe at least one class you are interested in taking and an activity you will wish to persue. If possible, attend a large party or a home game and assess the social situation more accurately.

First I would ask the student to figure out what they want to do, and find a college that has a great program in the area the student wants to study. I would also ask the student to figure out what type of school they want to go to - large, small, far away from home, close to home, greek life, etc. These attributes of a school can make all the difference. I would also want to find out what the social life of a college is like, what clubs and organizations are on campus, and then try to match a college that I like with what my own interests are. The bottom line, I would say, is to first figure out what you want, then try to match what you want with a school. This will make all the difference in whether a student like the college or university he or she goes to. I would not worry about financial issues as much; scholarships are always available, you just have to apply for them. When you get to college, you should live your life, make wise decisions and good friends, and learn how to be independent.

I would highly encourage students to go visit scool on their own and stay overnight to get a feel for the college without having to talk to parents about it, or having the pressure of weighing the pros and cons right off the bat. If something fits ,it does, even if the sticker price seems impossible; it's not. Making the most of college means making your own decisions based upon what you want. You learn from those decisions and either enjoy of suffer the results. Make lifelong friends and don't be afraid to get out there and introduce yourself like crazy to find your appropriate niche in the school. If worst comes to worst, no school is too small to reinvent yourself and find a new group. Find out who you are and find out the best things a school has to offer. Get involved in things that interest you, and take classes that you wouldn't automatically sign up for. They can drastically change your outlook on life. Enjoy college, they are some of the best four, if not more, years of your life.

Do your homework. Pick a region and research every available college in that region. Think long-term. Pick a college that you will educate you at a reasonable price. More expensive does not mean better.

Visiting the college is important, but don't just follow the tour guide around. They always sugar-coat things. Talk to maintenance staff or cafeteria workers. They'll tell it to you straight. They live and work at this college and can help navigate offices or explain the overall feel and atmosphere of the school and the attitude of the students. Those places that employ students and have an honest conversation about their life and their job.

Go to Dickinson

College is a great opportunity to find out who you are and what you want to do for the rest of your life. My advice is to visit lots of schools that are all different from one another, big, small, north, south, liberal arts, or large universtiy. Once you find the features of a college that you like the best it makes it easier to narrow down your choirces. Once you find a few schools that you really like go back and visit again but don't spend so much time in the admissions office; they will tell you only what you want to hear. Instead talk to students and professors, after all they are the ones that really define the college. Once you make your finial decision go into it without any regrets. During your first year of college take advantage of every opportunity that is available to you but don't become so involved that you forget to make friends and have some fun along the way. College is all about finding a balance between academics, extra curicular activities, and having a social life. Once you find that balance college will be the best experience of your life.