Emory University Top Questions

Stay focused on your classes. Make new friends from diverse cultures. Volunteer and help others who are less fortunate. Take advantage of the offered services. Find time to relax and enjoy the experience!

The best thing a student can do to find the right college is to interact with the students who are currently attending the college. To further elaborate, a student should go beyond the college tour and information session, and spend a day or so at the school with a current student. Then you are given an opportunity to learn what the make up is of the school community. Another important thing both students and parents should do is come up with a couple things that they are looking in for in a school that are not negotiable. For example size, location, degree programs, class size, or social life. Once you find the school with a couple of these things, it should be easier to overlook things that are less appealing about the school. The fact is that no school is perfect, so instead you want a school that provides you with what you need to be happy. That way you learn to enjoy your college experience by focusing on the things that you primarily enjoyed about the school, and taking full advantage of them.

College is where you find lifelong friends and a place where all your dreams can come true. If one works hard and puts forth one hundred percent dedication, ultimate goals can be achieved. It becomes really hard to balance your social life with your academic life, but one thing I have learned is to ALWAYS put your education before your social life because in the long run, it is only that which will help you gain a successful future. You make your own decisions and choices in college; it is up to you to chose the right ones. You will seldom choose the wrong option, but that is how you will learn-from your mistakes. In college you make several mistakes, but you only become a better person from fixing those mistakes. It really is true when people say, dreams at college do come true.

Really do active research as to what you want in a school and what the school offers. Without a good basis of knowledge of what you're looking for, you could potentially have a very miserable 4 years.

Visit the colleges. Don't just ask your tour guides questions; ask the regular students. If you can, let your student spend a night or two on campus without supervision. The campus and it's students change when there aren't parents around. It's this change that will help you determine if this is the right school for your soun or daughter. Never deny your child anything college-related. These four years are precious; each day is one-of-a-kind. As long as they are safe, you have nothing to worry about when your child takes on a new endeavor.

Follow your heart.

I think it is important to take people's advice with a grain of salt. Individuals' own experience and opinions of a particular college will all be different. The best thing I did before choosing my college was going to the campus, seeing and hearing everything with my own eyes and ears, and picturing myself in it. Usually there is a couple of colleges that will stick out as exceptional and "right" for the student. In terms of making the most of the college experience, try to experience and enjoy all the resources and opportunities made available by the college. Explore the library, talk with the professors, participate in a research project, join an intramural sports team... As a third year in college, I am still surprised by so many different aspects of the college that I have yet to explore. Networking is also crucial, especially when looking ahead into the future and thinking about possible career choices. Be friends with the professors, and listen to the professionals of the job markets. Once you leave the college setting, it is hard to find opportunities for learning, exploration of future possibilities, and forming valuable relationships.

To all of you bright-eyed, high-school students: Before you can attempt to make the most of your college experience you must first find your soul mate, your educational soul mate that is. The school whose admission letter you will accept should seem as though it were made for you. Research and visit as many as you need to, and start as early as possible. Once you discover this extraordinary place dive right in. Take advantage of anything and everything that sparks your interests. Your professors will become your friends and your friends will become your family. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it. And to all of you parents: The day is fast approaching in which you will have to say that first, tearful goodbye. In preparation for that day I have just four words for you: stand by your child. Stand by him when he chooses that perfect school. Stand by him when he gets accepted, as well as rejected. And stand by him when he leaves home to explore the new world he has chosen. Do this, and you will have helped your child in the greatest possible way.

Finding the right college is more than just finding a college that you can afford. Don't rule out a college just because you don't think you can afford it, take the time to look into the financial aid available to you. Also make sure you visit the college before you enroll so there aren't any big surprises on the day you move in. If you're unsure about what you want to major in, go to a liberal arts college that has a lot of majors available to you so that you have options and aren't forced into a major you don't like. As far as experiences are concerned, never be afraid to skip out on something if you don't feel comfortable. It is good to go out side your comfort level at times, but it's also important to limit your stress level and stay focused on your grades.

Finding the right college can be a daunting task. When I began my search, I wrote down all of the aspects that I would want my dream college to embody. After I made my list, I started with the most broad trait; I wanted to be close to home. Then I narrowed my search to colleges within 100 miles of my home. Initially, I came across ten colleges that I wanted to attend. From there, I looked at what I could afford to pay for college and how much financial aid I would be receiving. In the end, I chose to attend Emory because of their dedication to the academic success of their students and career success of alumni. At Emory, to welcome freshman students they exposed us to all facets of the extra-curricular community at the University; that program helped me to decide how I could make the most of my experience in college. I also quickly learned that having effective time management can make college much easier so that you can make time for a social life. Being involved in other activities outside of academic leads to a successful college experience.