Fordham University Top Questions

I would advise parents to allow students to pick a college not only based on academics, but also mental health. As a college student, I have realized that your campus becomes your home. Also, the student should take into account the location of the school; if the school is located within or near an area full of many career/job opportunities, he or she can easily be proactive about internships, which is a big part of learning and college. A great idea is to too to many students as possible from all the schools you are thinking of attending; take into account their academic, social and career-oriented experiences. While visiting many colleges is a great hands-on experience, both parents and students should not visit more than they can mentally handle. Take it slow. Most of all, students should go with their heart and gut instinct when selecting the right college.

Don't settle for anything but the best for you. Don't go by what your friends or your parents want. Go to the school that's right for you. And if you get there and you don't like it, try to make it better before giving up and transferring to another university.

Make the best of your situation and never give up! Work you butt off because it's totally worth it in the end. And don't be shy!!! Talk to everyone you see!!!

I advise that kids know who they really are - their interests, talents, intelligences - and mix it with some reflection concerning whether they like cities, small towns, or rural areas; whether they are artistic, scientific, mathematic; whether they are liberal or conservative; and whether they enjoy harsh seasons or a steady climate.

You can only plan so much when picking a school. There are things you will love about a school, and there are things that you don't like as much, but when it comes down to it, you just have to hope for the best. You most likely aren't going to find an absolutely perfect school that has nothing wrong with it. However, you can make the best decision that you are capable of and just go with it. The chances are, if you are open to new experiences you will have a great time at college.

I would suggests that students visit the school and take a tour of the campus before making any hasty decisions. Make sure the school has a program or at least a few academic programs that you could see yourself participating in. Also look to see what the school has to offer not only academically but socially, what activities, clubs, sports, intramurals does the school offer. Could you see yourself fitting in here? What is life like outside the campus I looked at Fordham and realized that the possibilities in New York City were endless. Lastly make sure you feel comfortable on campus and could see yourself living in the environment as you discover it once you take a campus tour. If you have an opportunity to talk with upper classmen do so, ask them plenty of quesitons!

If you are setting out to find your dream school, you should understand that maybe there isn't one...you might not find one school that is a perfect fit for you, and even if you do, be aware of the possibility that it will be financially unfeasible. People often talk about finding your "match" and the abundance of financial aid, but it's much more complicated than that. All of this might sound pessimisitic, but being aware of these realities can prepare you much better for the college search. Be direct when asking about financial aid or scholarships, and be sure what you can actually afford. Find a school that is welcoming to people like you, and, if you are unsure what you want to do, make sure you keep your options open, and you will be fine. Be ambitious, but realistic, and when it comes time to make a decision, you will be in a better place. And once you are at college, take care of yourself, physically and mentally. Eating healthily and getting enough sleep can help with stress immensely, and being aware of your emotional state is crucial to your schoolwork, social life, and happiness.

Make sure to give your school a fair chance before deciding if its for you.

College is what you make of it. Regardless of the school you attend, you must have a positive attitude to make the most of your college experience. If you go into college thinking its going to be hard making friends, or it will be hard being away from home then you are only predicting what you have been thinking. Go into college like a whirl wind. It is a time in your life when you get to start with a blank piece of paper. Let your true self show, and you will make true friends who will love you for who you are. Join different clubs for fun, strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class. You will be surprised by the variety of people that attend college. Each individual has their own story and it is fascinating to hear about them all. Let you mold your college experience. Attend cultural activities and let your inhibitions sit back seat to this new experience in life. College is what you make of it, make it the best experience of your life.

It's important to know what you're looking for in a college. Size, available majors and minors, and what departments the school is strong in. Can you handle classes with one hundred, two hundred, or five hundred people in them? Or do you prefer a smaller setting with twenty or thirty students per class? You have to know what you want and what the college offers. It's important to do the research. To make the most out of your college experience try not to go home freshman year. It helps you get acclimated to your new environment and forces you to meet people. It's almost terrifying, but forcing yourself to stay weekends or days you don't have classes helps you to get more comfortable, more quickly in your new environment.