Elmira College Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself not to take anybody's crap. I would tell myself to learn to stick up for myself because it isn't good to have people walk all over you. I'd tell myself to develop a back bone and not be the person that can't say no to anybody. But more importantly I would tell myself to not be afraid to stand on my own two feet and to not be afraid of what other people think of me. I'd tell myself that because the only person's opinion that matters about how I am is me.

I would tell myself to not take Japanese in Sophomore year. I would also tell myself to skip Latin and take Spanish. The transition was fine for me so I would pat myself on the back and say go get a job so you can pay off your loans. Good luck.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would tell myself not to stress so much about the future. That I am a resonsible and intelligent person who has a good head on her shoulders so i should not worry about picking the wrong college for me. I would tell myself that to be excited because there will be people in the same boat as me when I am at school and that I won't be alone in making the transition from home. The people around me will experience the same things as me, and together we will learn to adjust to college life, and I can help them transition and they can help me as well. The people at this college care and are helpful people who want to see students and/or friends succeed. I would tell myself not to worry so much and to enjoy the excitement of a big and wonderful change about to occur in my life; one that will help me to grow as a person in all aspects of life.

The transition depends on if you go to a small school or not. Since my school is small, the class size is similar to what I had in high school. The main transition that I need to go through was being away from home and dealing with more academic work and commitments. If you put your mind to your work, however, you will be fine in the academic transition. As for being away from home, it is hard at first, but it gets easier because you're fellow classmates are almost all going through the same thing. You just need to become more responsible and learn to become dependent on yourself and not others. It is you're life and you are in control so no one should tell you what you should or should not participate in or what to do with your life. If you do not have a major, it's fine - just take the general requirements and it will eventually come to you. Everything will work out if you just put your mind to it and don't give up.

Going off to college is a huge mile stone in a young man or woman's life. It is also a life changing decision. Parents and students should be confident with their choice and excited about the decision. Visiting the school and talking with current students is a great way to get a feel of the school atmosphere. The college he or she chooses will become their home, so it is important that the school not only offers academic needs, but social ones as well. For the students who choose a school and end up regretting the decison, get out. The longer the wait the harder the transition will be at a new school. Never settle, go with your gut feeling. If it tells you that something is not right keep looking, the perfect fit is waiting.

visit the school and don't depend on the tour guid for all of your info, try to meet other people who go to the school and ask what it is like once orientation ends and the parents leave campus.

Go to the place that is going to best suit you all around. Don't just go to a college because they have your "major" because you will probably change it anyway. Go somewhere you feel comfortable and will not come out of burried in debt. Being challenged and being comfortable with your surrounding are the two most important things in finding the right college.

Visit lots of colleges and visit them early in high school. Then, you will find one that 'just feels right.'

The student should definitely be actively involved in the college-searching process--the parents should not be doing all the work! The student will know when he or she has found the right school, which is why visiting campuses is really important. You don't really get the "feel" of the school without visiting or getting a tour. Also, parents and students should agree on a price range and distance before looking at schools--this will definitely help in limiting where to look. And try not to stress out too much--there is a school for everyone!

Visit schools, do overnights, and pick one that has several majors that interest you so that if you change your path you arent necessarily forced to transfer if you like your school

Thank of what you like to do at home. What do you like about your high school, what don't you like? What do you like about your town, what don't you like? See if you can talk to any students (not staff!) from the school and get their opinions. Spend the overnight. And don't forget that a person changes in four years, especially at this age! Think about every aspect, even the littlest detail, because it could be that detail that is crucial to your happiness. In the end though, don't discount your gut feeling. That's how I chose Elmira, and I've been mostly very happy here the entire four years!

Visit the campus first, and make friends. The bonds you establish in college will be important down the road. Make friends with as many people as you can without trying to harm yourself to be friends with them. (I don't suggest sorrorities or fraternities. Many of them force you to leave your first group of friends.)

Picking the right college can be scary and overwhelming but it is important to follow your heart. I looked at twelve colleges in five days and by the time I got to my last one I as sick of looking at schools and did not care where I went; but after my tour and interview I knew that Elmira College was the right place for me and now a junior there could not imagine my self anywhere else. Before you begin the looking process select colleges that fit a list of criteria such as size, majors, extracurricular activities and sports. Having all of these will help narrow the list of possible choices and make the selection process easier. It is important to listen to what your student wants as it is him that will be spending the next four years of their lives there. Just remember to have fun when selecting colleges it should be an exciting time not a stressful one.

Visit more then once, do a weekend visit!

I would definitely tell them that overnight stays at the college with a current student are very important. This way, the prospective student can get a more in-depth look at what campus life will be like. It is all about finding a school that you feel very comfortable at. You should be able to see yourself living happily on campus, being challenged in classes, and having a lot of extra-curricular activities to participate in. You should also be comfortable with the average social situation of the school, because that can really make or break your college experience. Academics are very important and it is important to be happy in what you are doing. But from personal experience, the social aspect of college is what you will honestly remember the most, whether is was amazing or terrible.

When doing your college search really take the time to research your schools, go on visits and stay over night, ask questions,attend a few classes to get the feel, talk to students that are currently enrolled, and act early. This is a very important investment, so it is very important to find a college that best fits you. In order to be sucsessful at your college you need to like the place that you are attending.

Ask the college about average class sizes and match that to your preference. Look at the surrounding area of the college; if you will be there for 4 years, you need to like the area you are in. Take a tour of the campus and stay overnight, no matter what. If interested in sports, ask to meet the coach AND talk with members of the team you hope to play on. Ask about other clubs and teams as well. Sit in on a class or two, observe the teacher. Ask enrolled students about workload and amount of time to yourself.

Really visit really look around don't settel look at where you want to be after school, will this school be able to get you there ?

I am the oldest child, therefore the first to go through the college search process with my parents. What helped me the most in making my decision was getting out there and taking advantage of all the colleges had to offer. I went on tours at every college I applied to, I did overnights, ate meals at these different schools (trust me, liking the food is important), I sat in on classes. I graduated with 100 kids in my senior class in high school, big universities were intimidating and I liked the specialized attention small colleges offered their students. This was a huge deciding factor for me when deciding where to apply. Now looking back on my decision I am pleased to see what was important to me has held true. Once school started I joined clubs early, got involved. It was the easiest way to make friends, if you're in the same club you most likely have something in common, I joined sports and went to the gym, also great places to meet people. Although I live 1 1/2 hours from home I stayed on the weekends, it was by far the best way to make friends.

The more colleges you visit the better. Visiting many colleges, although time consuming, will help your son or daughter at deciding on the right college for him or her.