Georgetown University Top Questions

Parents, be supportive! Students: be bold! College is a time for a student to express him/herself. When I was a senior in high school, I spent many nights up agonizing over what school I should choose. My parents fought with me and with one another over which school they thought would be best for me. Finally, my mother told me to be bold and just choose one because college was for me, not for my parents. Now that I am a junior, my parents are both glad that I chose the school that I wanted to attend, and they realize that college has helped me to be more independent. So, I encourage students to consider what others (such as parents and guidance counselors) think of your school and weigh all of your options, but in the end to be bold and choose a school on your terms. No matter what, remember that you will be the one attending classes at the school, and it is your decision. And I encourage parents to be supportive of their child in whatever decision he/she may make. College is a time to grow and learn, and growing requires a positive environment.

One of the most valuable parts of the college selecting process is visiting and touring the campus. Through a visit, a student (NOT the parent) will KNOW the college that will suit them best the moment they step on campus. I remember being in awe the moment I entered my future school's grounds, and every fact I heard about the school from then on made me all the more eager to apply and go there. If visiting schools is not possible or if there is not a school that stands out for the student, the best way to go is to select a school based on the student's interests and desires for an education, and make sure to choose a school that is well-rounded. The worst thing to do is select an overly studious or overly partying school that ends up smothering the desire to do other things. This situation will make college miserable for some students. Also, do not be afraid to apply to that school you do not think you will get in to. You never know, you could be just what they are looking for, and it may be the perfect school for you!

Do not just look at the name of the school as the deciding factor. Shop around and visit each school you are interested in to find the perfect fit for you. With the right organization of time and money, you can greatly enjoy the college experience by both learning and exploring the surrounding area.

I ended up at a college I didn't like upon initially visiting, barely completed the application for, and didn't consider attending till a variety of freak incidents led me there. Yet, I think it was the best choice, in retrospect. In other words, there is no good advice as you won't get into colleges you should, will get into others that you didn't put any effort into the application, and definitely won't get into the exact Ivy you wanted.

College is a time for self discovery. But such discovery is not limited to only the time in which you are enrolled. Take the application process as a time for self identification, as well. Be sure to never sell yourself short, and always put your best foot forward. If you do both of these things during the stressful times we call application season, you will be pleased with your results, regardless if your mailbox is filled with those big envelopes. The right college is somewhere you will feel at home. Remember that home is where the heart is, and it will take time in order for your heart to feel comfortable in this foreign setting. But give it time. Quickly you will meet people who share similar interests, professors with insights beyond belief, and dining food that actually is comfort food. College helps you find yourself, but the journey of self discovery is the best road. Make sure to have fun, but study hard. You only get one GPA, so make it count. But at the same time, 15 years down the line what will you remember more, the epic basketball game or the paper you wrote to miss it?

Go with your gut. College is not the end, but rather an experience that will shape you into the person you will bring to the workplace, graduate school or wherever graduation takes you. Make sure that, when you step on to campus, you feel as though you were meant to be there. At the same time, though, try your best to pick a school that has enough variety in terms of extracurricular activities and majors that you can have the flexibility to change. Maybe you'll come in with a specific idea of what you want to do academically and in terms of extra-curricular activities and maybe you won't, but chances are any ideas will change and you should be in a place that affords you the opportunities to allow you to change and grow in new directions. Finally, remember to have a little bit of fun while you're in college. There are few other times in life when your only job is to study and participate in voluntary activities with friends, so make the most of it! Try not to worry about the future and soak up the present every step of the way. Good luck!

Make sure that you are able to adapt to a new environment (if you are looking at Universities in other regions). Make sure that you also note all the pros and cons of each University, and be sure to visit the campus. Once you have chosen a University, make sure to do as much as you can. Being a Varsity Softball player has limited my extracurricular activies, but if I had the chance, I would have loved to do more community service and maybe even an internship. Make sure to also get off campus sometimes and notice the different places around you. Get to know your University's surroundings and make sure to meet new people. These people can turn into lifelong friends, and ultimately a satisfying social life during your 4 years at the University. Overall, make sure you step outside your comfort zone and find activities that you would not normally even dream of doing. You never know what you may find, and it could even lead to a positive change in your future plans.

My number one piece of advice is not to set your heart on one school. A lot of people believe that they will only be happy at their number one school and experience incredible dissapointment when they don't get in. Only apply to schools that you would be overjoyed to attend; that way, you can't be dissapointed. Also, keep your mind open when looking at schools. Sometimes the school you think you love might not be the best place for you, and a school you might hate could turn out to fit you perfectly and capture your heart in the end. The best way to make the most out of your college experience is to get involved and try new things. Take classes you might not have concidered before. Try new activities you have always been interested in. Never be afraid to talk to new people or make friends. Put your heart into everything that you do and you will surely have a wonderful college experience.

First, visit the campus and ask lots of questions. Look at the students around you and see if you feel like you would fit in. As far as making the most, always be true to yourself without being afraid to try new things. College is about learning and growing, socially and academically. Keep a good balance.

Don't visit any colleges you haven't already gotten into. They are all fun with the right attitude, so don't get your hopes up of getting into a certain school. Rather focus on your attitude that you're going to have when you get to the school. Make a list of goals you'd like achieve and things you'd like to do when you attend. You only have four years and although I've only been through 2, I can tell you: they go by too quickly.