Franklin and Marshall College Top Questions

stay focused!

There are two very important things to consider about college. What you must first do, is remember high school. Reflect upon the situations which you most enjoyed and, more importantly, in which you most thrived. How do you learn best-- from lectures? Discussions? Hands-on? In high school, which extra-curriculars did you get the most out of? Do you thrive best when you can stand out of a small group or are you revved up and inspired by the masses? Once you've done some self-exploring, what you must do next is even more important: forget high school. When deciding where to go, forget people who you may try to impress with a fancy college name, and go where you will have the best experience you can. To get that experience, leave your prejudices and preconceived notions at home. Try new foods, activities, and courses that your high school-self would not have even dreamed. Introduce yourself to people you never would have spoken to before. Study abroad. Sled on cafeteria trays. There's a huge world out there beyond your high school walls. You won't experience everything here, but you've got 4 years to try.

While the cost of college is certainly an important issue, don't make it the most important factor in your decision and don't let it control the way you spend your four years in college. I was responsible for financing my college education myself, and I chose to attend one of the most expensive colleges in the country because it was my dream college (small classes, prestigious, liberal arts focus, and close to home). It was a scary decision, but I thankfully didn?t let the tuition deter me from attending because it was well worth the cost. I learned invaluable critical thinking and writing skills and had excellent professors. However, I was so worried about the cost of tuition that I decided to commute to college and I really regretted it. I never really made any good friends on campus and was always very lonely. I loved my professors, my classes, and the school itself, but I felt so unattached to the student body. Looking back, I wouldn't have let the tuition control the manner in which I spent my four years. Students should live on campus and experience campus life, at least for a year.

There's always going to be something you're not happy with, so all you can really do is make the most of what you have. If you look hard enough, you'll find what you need or want your school to be for you. This might take a bit of work on your part, but it is worth every ounce of effort. Trust your instincts. If a school has all the academic facilities you need, you can make the rest of it work.

Always visit a school before you apply or choose. to go to it

Don't worry about the labels. Go someplace that feels right, not someplace that someone else says is right.

After you make a list of all the schools that you think are right for you, go and visit your top three choices. While touring the schools, make sure to make arrangements to attend a class that interests you so that you can see how the teacher and students interact. Remember, you are the customer here. If you are not treated well during a school visit, don't think it will get any better if you go there. And, have a good time with this new experience.

Looking for a college that will provide a quality education is obviously important, but don't sacrifice financial stability for a pricey diploma! You'll definitely thank yourself after you graduate without a bunch of debt.

Knowing what you want is the crucial first step in finding the college that is right for you. Make a list of the attributes your dream school would have; then make a list of features you could not live without. Compare each college you consider to these lists. How does it stack up against your list, and against other schools you've evaluated? Next, consider the academic profile of the typical admitted student. How does yours compare? It is very important to apply to a combination of "reach" schools--schools that are slightly above your academic range, or are Ivy League (which are unpredictable situations for students of any academic caliber), "ballpark" schools--ones that fit perfectly in your academic range, and "safety" schools--schools you can pretty much put money on getting into. Once you've found the perfect school and gotten in, make the most of your experience by staying on top of your academics, getting involved, and maintaining an active social life. When getting involved, look for organizations that will help you do well academically and broaden your social horizons. You'll be the perfect college student in no time!

I would say that as important as the academic standing may seem, the social setting of the school is just as important. I think that for me, college was definitely a place where I learned a lot both inside the classroom and outside the classroom. The person I am today is not the same freshman that entered F&M four years ago. I have been shaped by everyone I've met here. Ultimately, no matter the academic reputation of a school, if the social vibe doesn't feel right, its not worth it to go.

Parents, let you students choose the college which is right for them. In the long run, the undergraduate university does NOT matter. Don't push you child into a school because YOU believe that it fits them. Let them be where they need to be. Please, Please, Please support them throughout the application process. Let you know that you love them and that wherever they choose to go to school is ok with you. I think that the one thing parents should know is the amount of pressure that students put on themselves with college admissions. The competition out there is ugly and it is only getting worse. Don't be another source of pressure. Ask your kids if they need any help. Just being there lets them know that you care. And once they are at college...Don't be the helicopter parent. (If you don't know the term, google it). Students, Once the admissions process is done and behind you, you are in for the best ride of you life! My advice is to choose the college where you feel most comfortable. Big names mean nothing in the long run.

To make sure you visit a few colleges before settling on just one. It's good to get an idea of what other colleges are like, as well as the differences between smaller and bigger universities that offer completely different styles of teaching.

It is extremely important to search for the college that is right for the individual. Although this piece of advice is well-known and somewhat chiche, I have learned through my time at college that you must stay true to yourself. Although an individual should be open to the possibility of change for the enhancement of their mind, body, and soul, it is essential to always remember who you are. The adjustment to college life will be hard for some while easy for others, but with the help and support of family and friends, you can survive anything. At times you will second guess your career choice, your future, and even your own identity, but each of these questions will only make you stronger in the end. When we stumble along the path to succees, we not only learn from the way we fell, but also from the way we were able to stand back up and continue on, refusing to give in the cracks and bumps along the way. Always remember your past, your loved ones, your persistence, and your desire to follow your dreams. No ne can stop you from achieving greatness.

In order to find the right college, you must first get to know yourself. It is important to figure out the type of person that you are so that you know what you like and you know what to look for in an institution. Once you have diagnosed the type of person you are, the type of environment you prefer to live and work in, and the type of environment that you prefer to learn in, make a list of colleges or universities that match your preferences. Online college finding programs are very helpful, especially if you are new to the process. Once you have generated a list of schools, visit as many as you can, taking tours, listening to information sessions and talking to students on the campuses. If you were previously unsure about the type of college you wanted to attend, visit different types of schools to give you a better feel. Visits will give you a much better feel for the campus, college life and whether or not you actually like the school. Colleges are different in person than they are on paper, so visits are the best wasure to ensure you get the best experience.

There is absolutely no better experience in making a college decision than visiting the schools in which you're interested. While there, try and look past all the bright lights and glamour that the admission office throws at you to entice you to apply, and instead talk to the students and gain their prospective on the college. For the most part, they'll give you a candid answer - After all, they're the ones who are truly living the college experience. After you've selected the college that you're going to attend, be optimistic about the school, but not naive. Know that each campus has it's flaws, and that most of the time the challenges the college presents can be used to your advantage - view each experience as a chance to learn something new about yourself and your environment.

Really visit the campus and talk to students to make sure the social scene is right for you. Also, don't underestimate being close to home because a lot of people want to stay close to their friends from home even if they love school.

When it comes to selecting a college, it's truly not about the quality of the food or what the dorm rooms look like. In the long run, you are bound to discover that an unplanned, hour-long discussion with a professor about your mutual love of good chinese food or a class that you never want to leave will make you feel more at home than a nice room. The prospective student must remember that your school becomes your home, and like your actual home, it's mostly the things you do there and the people you know there that make it a good fit for you. So try to select a school that caters exactly to your academic interests, the level of interaction you want with professors, and your social and extracirricular needs. Once you get there, try something you will genuinely like, whether it be a major or club. Don't try to force an activity or class just because you think it's what's best. Go with your heart and you will find your niche.

Choose a school that best fits the students career goals.