Gannon University Top Questions

Research many school based on both academics and location. Visit the schools you wish to apply to in order to see if it really is right for you. You cannot choose a school based soley on what you find online. Also, remember to talk to professors that teach in your major; they can help you make the decision.

What I would tell parents/students about finding the right college for them is going to explore all of the colleges that you are interested in. The more you are familiar with the school the more comfortable and happy your college experience will be when you first begin. You should know all of the places located around your school in case of an emergancy. Pick a college that you will be proud to represent for the rest of your life. With the economy the way it is, make sure that you take college seriously. Your future is on the line. Making the most of your college experience is trying to find ways that fit yourself to get involved. Do things that you enjoy doing with members of your school. Volunteer, attend school functions, play a sport, join a club, there are endless opportunities out there and take advantage of every one of them!

Advice that I would give is first to research the institution that makes you feel at home. Find the college that makes you happy and determined to make the next two/four years of your life the best. Try to see whether you would like to be in a city or private environment that would help exclude you from any distractions. I would also encourage parents/students to ask family and friends to see what they have heard or experienced as well, to help you expand your spectrum of the facilities you are exploring. As for the student making most of their college experience, I would highly encourage the student to become involved in many activities and try to take full advantage of every opportunity available. Try to put aside what other people think and do what makes you happy and what will allow you to experience your college. With that, I would also remain open to everyone and everything, college itself is a new and enlightening experience that not everyone has the chances of experiencing and when you do, it broadens your views and allows you to see things holistically to only better your life and future to come.

I would tell them that they need to find the right fit. Visit the campus and see how it feels. Talk to current students and professors. Make sure it has your major and has extra-curriculars that you would be interested in participating in. If you visit the campus and do not feel comfortable, you're not going to feel comfortable when you come back for freshman year.

Even with all the wesites and information sent to your homes, I believe it is always best to go to the college itself. You need to take a nice tour. If you don't go there before you make your final selection you could be making a mistake and not realize it. When you actually choose your college join an organization. I joined the Activities Programming Board, and that is how within my first few months at school met tons of people and really got to know what the school was all about. This APB organization plans everything on campus so I got involved really quick. Try and find an organization like this and you will go far in your university.

The best thing you can do is to be supportive, yet let your child make the decision on their own. Go along on campus visits, discuss the pro's and con's of each college, and analyze how you would pay for tuition, but in the end, leave it up to your child to decide. You don't want to be to blame if they end up hating their chosen college. As far as making the most of the college experience, allow your child some freedom to make their own mistakes. Surely, most college freshman can get out of hand with this new found freedom, but it allows them to learn from their mistakes, and hopefully prevent them from making the same mistake next time. Lastly, nothing brightens a stressed out student's day like a care package from home with lots of goodies to snack on while you're studying!

Look at the Financial Aspects. Look at the social situation on campus, will your student be happy with the entertainment or activities provided? Will the school/professors provide the counseling so that your child will be able to complete the degree within major your child chooses? Do the professors take time to meet with students individually? Is there any sort of Honors program that the campus provides? Are there discussion based classes? What is the average student to teacher ratio? What security precautions are on campus (response times of campus police if available to any point on campus)? Is the area outside campus safe? Is alcohol or drugs common on campus...seriously? Is undergraduate housing guaranteed to each student on campus over the entire time the student is on campus? What sort of scholarships are available to undergraduate students? Is there financial aid counselors? MAKE SURE STUDENT IS HAPPY ....IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT DONT TAKE THE PLUNGE! Best of Luck!

My advice would be look around at all the options. Make a list of the qualities your looking for in a school and try to match as many of them as you can. Also talk to students on campus, if they are not happy with the campus experience they will tell you, trust me. Eat at the campus when you take a tour, make sure the food is what your expecting. Make sure you not only get a chance to see freshmen housing but housing that is available after your freshman years if possiable. Above all talk to the professors/deans. Make sure you can get individual attention if its something your used to, accademics is the most important thing!

I would visit the campus and get a tour of the entire school. Meet with academic advisors or future teachers to talk with them about your potential major! I would also talk with financial aid and get the best reward scholarship you can! Find things about the campus you like and dislike, and create a list! Explore extracurricular activities the campus offers and explore facilities. Talk with students who are currently attending the college and maybe, if offered, stay overnight with a student!

Gannon is pretty expensive, but, after attending the cheapest college in my area, I know that Gannon is worth the cost. Just don't hang out with the stupid jocks and the tramps from the sororities.