Furman University Top Questions

Find a college that suits your personality. Academics are important, but they are not everything. I spent a great deal of time filling out applications to colleges that I wanted to go to simply because they were prestigious. When I didn't get in to them, I thought my life was over. My backup school, Furman, had a beautiful campus and a nice feel and personality to it, but it was not as high up on the rankings as I would have liked. Truth is that if I had gotten into any of my first choices I would not have been nearly as happy as I am now. I love my school, and it is plenty challenging and prestigious. There is no need to go to Harvard or Yale. If you work hard enough, you will excel anywhere. I have probably recieved more learning and growth going to Furman than I ever would have at an Ivy. Don't sweat it! No matter where you end up, you'll love it. It's college!

Stay overnight on a weekend to see if you really like the place you've applied to.

Students: Don't look at schools based on the social life or what your parents don't want you to go to. When you visit, ask yourself if you can picture yourself in the surroundings. Do the people seem nice and welcoming? If you feel comfortable, then you'll fit right in and studying will not be a problem. Also meet with the professors in the field that you plan to major in, this can really help you. Parents: Don't pressure your child in pursuing the dream that you never got a chance to do. Instead of pushing them, just stand beside them and aide them in the process. Help them develop a checklist in what they expect out of a university and help them visit as many colleges as possible. Carry that checklist around, and see if they fit. If that school doesn't meat at least half of the list, cancel out the school right away. Also, make sure the finances are in order. You don't want to worry about how you're going to pay for their education while they are in school.

Look at as many schools as you can and apply for lots of scholarships! (even the competitive ones that you don't think you'll get...hey, you never know)

The job of the admissions staff is to convince you to come to that school, so take everything you see when looking at a college with a grain of salt. Try to stay on an overnight visit if you can to get a better idea of the school and to talk to real students. Really weight the pros and cons of each school to determine where you fit best economically, academically and socially. And don't take yourself too seriously, college is supposed to be the best years of your life.

It is crucial to explore many different options when choosing a college. Look at all types and try to figure out exactly what you want. Don't be afraid do go somewhere totally different than where your family or friends go! Take risks; they will definately pay off. Don't be afraid to dream big and strive for excellence. Go into college with an open mind and heart which is searching to learn new things and experience new people, cultures, and lifestyles. Make the most out of college by involving yourself not only academically, but also socially.

Prospectives should take college tours and take advantage of overnight stays, if the university provides them. Try and experience the campus without your parents, because they won't be there while you attend. When you find the right school, you will feel it. Some say it's like coming home, some say it felt like a tingle in their spine, and I just inherently knew, but there will definitely be a feeling. Your college experience won't be perfect. There will highs and lows, moments of elation and moments of bitter grief, but each moment will help to define who you become. High school teaches how the world works. In college, you learn how you work. You figure out what you need. You figure out who you are. The time-old mantra is to "make the most of your years." That statement is absolutely true. After college, responsibilities will weigh you down. So make mistakes. Go skinny dipping. Climb a mountain or learn to surf or take a midnight roadtrip. Reach out and touch peoples' lives. Build lasting friendships. Discover who you are, what little kernel of truth is essentially you, and hold onto it no matter what.

Most importantly, never, EVER refrain from applying because of cost! When I applied to my college, it had the highest tuition of any school on my list. However, Expensive University offered far more financial aid than the others, and now I pay less to go to "Expensive" University than I would at any of the others. It never hurts to see what they'll offer you! Second, if you don't get into #1 Perfect University, you certainly may spend an afternoon in shock and gloom, but move on quickly. It's simply not where you were meant to go, and you will probably be pleased as punch wherever you end up--most people are. I know I am! And to ensure that you'll be accepted somewhere that you'll love, apply to at least 5 schools. Many offer discounted or free online apps. The more you apply, the better your chances! Finally, use all your resources. I found out about my school through an internet college search engine! Counselors, teachers, school alumni, books, and the Internet can open your eyes to excellent schools, so use them to their fullest. Best of luck in wherever your search takes you!

Higher tuition does NOT equal a better school.

First and foremost, know what you want out of your college experience. Know what size school you want. If you do not know what you want to major in, make sure the college you choose has all the majors you are looking at and has an easy way to switch majors. Once you are in college, get involved on campus. Choose activities that actually interest you; the quality of your activities is more important than the quantity. Try new things! Always remember that your academics should come before extracurricular activities. College is about finding out who you are, what you are good at, and what you want to do with the rest of your life. You are not expected to figure this out all in your freshman year. However, parents should expect many phone calls asking advice and guidance. College is when you realize that your parents are smarter than you ever thought they were. As you learn more about yourself do not be afraid to change majors and make new friends. My best advice is to have fun and study hard.

I think the most important things parents and students can do during the college application process is listen to eachother. My parents and I had completely different ideas about where I should go to school. I wanted a big school in a big city--probably NYU. They pushed me to try something smaller in a smaller town and I could not have been happier in the end.

Think about the type of people you'll be around, that's the only thing that matters.

First, to parents . The best advice that I can give is be supportive. College is a major transition for students as it is the first major opportunity for them to step into the world of adulthood and learn to learn about themselves and grow and develop. Considering this, the best way to keep students motivated about achieving their goals is to be supportive as much as you can. When I say supportive, I mean more than just financially. While you, as parents will be the major source of finances for their college careers, you should support your student by understanding their goals, communicating with them, and trusting them to make the best decisions with the knowledge you've given them. To the students, finding the right college requires research, time and effort. You must be willing to learn more about yourself and your goals and feel free to question many schools about their academic environments and offered courses to find the best fit institiution. As for making the best out of the experience, don't be afraid to live. Push yourself to make new friends, go new places, and enjoy new experiences. Be equally willing to work and have fun.

Make sure that you visit more than one college and talk to as many people as you can. Make sure that you don't choose a school that is good but will end up costing up extra after you graduate because of loans. You are only in college for four years so be as involved as you can without forfeiting your education. Make the most of teh experience no metter where you attend.

You can just feel it when you are on the right campus. When you are at the right school, you can visualize yourself there. Before you even enroll in classes you will find things you want to get involved with and will meet people who can become life-long friends. Try not to be shy and meet as many people, students and professors, as you can; then you will always know someone in your classes, you will have people to work and study with, and you will have people to hang out with on the weekends. Get involved on campus as soon as you can, but also be careful not to spread yourself too thin. You don't want to be involved in so many activities that your grades fall or you are always stressed. While grades are very important, always remember to have a good time while you are in college!

I would advise high school students and their parents to buy trash cans because junk mail from colleges can become annoying! But in all seriousness, I would give the advice of literally going to the schools the high school students possibly want to attend and meeting current college students. There are so many colleges and universities out there that offer great academic reputations, talented sports teams, new buildings with advanced technology, and ideal student-to-professor ratios. If you ask a student about the college experience, however, he or she will most likely respond first by talking about the friendships made. This emphasizes the fact that it is the people that surround you that are most significant. Talking and interacting with students at different colleges will show prospective students a glimpse of what their future friends may be like. In all actuality, the people they talk with could very well become one of their friends. After talking with a number of college students, I would tell the parents to make sure their high school students have cameras in good working order. The memories made with their new friends at college are ones that they will want to remember and share.

Choosing the right college or university is the most important decision a young person will ever make which will effect and influence who and what they will become. Finding the right fit is critical. Compiling a profile of what features are important was the first step that I took. Such a profile might include student body size, make-up and views, location, public vs. private, or major studies offered. Once determining factors have been set, visiting each potential campus will help eliminate and pin point the right choice. I have been fortunate to find the perfect fit in the University that I chose. Now I have the opportunity to make the most of my college experience. I have ascertained that this is a time in my life to discover who I really am. I am trying to keep an open mind and not be constrained to the views that I had growing up. I want to take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to me in college to become my own person. College life is all about balancing work and social activities. The right balance will result in a well balanced person for life.

Visit all your potential schools and choose the school where you feel most at home; all other aspects of the college experience will fall into place.

Visit all colleges before deciding to attend