Drew University Top Questions

I would tell the students to be sure of what they are looking to gain from their college experience before looking at schools and choosing where they will go to college. There are more than enough colleges to choose from, so there is no need to go to college and be unhappy with the institution you chose. You want your college experience to be rewarding and enjoyable, but it is up to you to determine what is rewarding and enjoyable for yourself. For parents, I would tell them that their child is the one that should make the choices that will determine the rest of their life, because the child is living that life, not the parent. I fully support a parents' assistance in choosing a school, but not because it is where they feel their child should go, but because it is the best fit financially, geographically, and they feel that their child will be happy and be able to grow and thrive at that institution.

Three things immediately come to mind: Make sure the area surrounding the school has as much to offer as the school itself. A lot of schools may look good on paper but it can often be the social dynamics among students that can make or break a college experience. Don't shy away from asking students at any college their personal opinions on subjects that are important to you.

i encourage you to visit a variety of diverse schools to get a true idea of where you'd feel most at home. Please don't limit your options to what is familiar to you, this is a time to expand you horizons and experience new things. Once settled in on campus, make en effort to get involved in clubs and organizations as well as the social scene. Extracurriculars really enhance your college experience and provide a positive feeling of self worth.

Use your resources available to you. If your high school offers college-seeking counseling, take advantage of it as much as you can. The internet has opened an incredibly powerful tool for just this sort of life process-research as many school as you can, and don't set limitations for yourself off the bat. Make a list of all of the schools that interest you and then begin going through your list to determine which ones are realistically feasible for you based on their guidlines for acceptance. Also try making a list of all of the things you want from a school, going from most necessary to least necessary. Match that up to your list of schools and when you have at least five top schools to look at, begin making visits and appointments to speak to admissions counselors. Research, research, research!!!

Theres nothing much to tell the parents and the students except be careful of your decision. Don't rush on your action but be patient because you might regret it. However, there's always another way out. Students need to choose a college they feel comfortable with and proud of it.

Go to the school before you comitt. Do an overnight stay, maybe even attend some class. Look around the internet, see what people have to say about the college. Check out all your options, look at a bunch of schools. Once you pick a school, get involved in clubs, sports, any extracurriculars that you enjoy or think you might enjoy. College can be a wonderful experience, but you have to take advantage of it.

Make sure the college you looking for has good academics, make sure you can get a good job after graduations, and they have the major you want and how it correspond or cross over with their breathe requirements...

Use collegeboard.com

I think that allowing the prospective students to visit the college on their own (BY THEMSELVES) on a surprise visit, not on a open house, not on an over night because that is when the school will be on its best behavior. also go to a basketball game or something that is happening that night to see if you really want to be surrounded by "those" people. Alone is the best because that is what you will be when you actually go to school and it is better to pratice independence rather than have it thrust upon you because that is where some people fail...the pressure can get to anyone but as the saying goes "Practice makes perfect" and it is possible to practice freedom, individuality, and responsibility before you go. GOOD LUCK on your hunt (because that is exactly what it is ^_^)

Visit the campus, if possible, and talk to some of the current upperclassmen to get a realistic perspective and overview of the plusses and minuses of the school you are considering.