Gettysburg College Top Questions

Do what is right for you. Don't worry about whether or not your major will get you a six-figure job, instead pick what you want to study, what you're interested in. Don't do it based on what's "practical" or "useful." Do what you love and everything else will come naturally. Make the most of your college years because, as cliche as it is, they are over quickly.

Finding the right college seemed difficult for me at first. I am madly in love with choral music, but I also wanted to pursue biology. I applied to all different schools, and I gained acceptances to a music school, a school of science at an extremely selective school, and Gettysburg College, where I could double-major. I chose Gettysburg College because I was not ready to give up either music or science. Although Gettysburg was not the most selective school to which I had been accepted, it was ultimately the best possible decision that I could have made. I am truly happy pursuing all of my interests, and I'm so glad that I didn't let other factors get in the way of making the right decision. Therefore, my advice is to find a school that will truly offer EVERYTHING that you want to study, one that will give you options. Keep in mind that an extremely selective school is not automatically the one for you, even with an acceptance. Don't stop being interested in something to attend a college - make your interests and goals the number one priority, and you will have a truly amazing college experience.

Above all, find a college that will challenge you. Whether that challenge is going somewhere where you are the minority to help change the campus, somewhere you will face an academic challenge, or even somewhere that challenges you to be different than you heretofore have known yourself to be. This is the institution that will put you on the path of who you will become for the rest of your life. Be challenged to do good work, to do something great! Find a college that will allow you to be who you truely are- or wish to become. A college which will nurture your spirit and your ambitions. A college which will be the stepping stone for your strengths and a pillar to lean on in your weaknesses. Don't be afraid to work hard for what you want, but also don't be afraid to nurture yourself. Have fun! Reward your hard work with friends, relax and recoup to keep your spirit and drive alive. The key to a successfull college experience though, is to find a place that will keep you involved, nurtured, and intrigued. A college that will challenge you to be strong, unique- to be Great!

What every parent or student must know about finding the right college is to find the best fit for their students' academics, comfort, and wallet. Going to a great school like Cologate or Harvard is wonderful on a resume but means nothing if you are struggling, depressed, or broke. Make the most out of your college experience by going out to parties, if only once to find out what it's like; go to a lecture on a Friday night even if everyone else thinks it's lame; hang out all day on a Saturday or Sunday and watch your favorite television show on DVD with your floormates; skip a class to enjoy the first spring day with your roommate. Just do what you enjoy and don't pass up the great opportunities that are being put before you. Study hard, but take time for your health and well being. Order a midnight Domino's 5 for $5 deal and resolve to start your gym routine the very next day. Enjoy that transition to becoming an adult...that's what college is all about.

be open to as many different possibilities of colleges as possible. choose a college that feels right on many different levels, like size, diversity, availableity of classes, food, extra curricular activities, and anything else you are really passionate about. also let the child choose for him or herself. they are the ones going to the college and they should be the ones to choose. take your time in choosing also. don't get caught into the early discision trap and feel like you have to make a decision right away.

Make sure you go to a school that is the "right fit" for your student.

I think it's very important to fully understand the social dynamic among the students before choosing a college. Doing an overnight is a very valuable experience, and one which I unfortunately missed at my college. Had I fully understood the paradigm among the students, namely, in Greek life, I might have selected another school.

Make sure that you are aware of the location of the college as welll as make a visit to the school prior to going. I never visited Gettysburg College, and I was lucky that the school was pretty good, but not everyone is as lucky.

I would give students this advice: go somewhere where you feel comfortable. If a small college in a small town is the right fit, don't stress yourself out by going to a college in a big city. To parents: our education is worth the amount of money you pour into it.

shit. cock. balls.

Have fun and enjoy everything to the fullest.

Choosing a school is a personal process and knowing what you want is key in making this decision. I think the first step is determing what you want to major in or what you might like to study and find out which colleges offer this. Next, there is the basic criteria of what you want in a school. This includes size, location, cost, class size, campus resources, social life, etc. Compile a list of colleges/universities you are interested in and gather research and resources on these schools. Then, weed out certain ones based on the previous criteria that is most important to you, until you have a managable list to apply to. The best way to get a feel for a college is to make a visit and take a tour. If possible, meet with students and/or stay overnight. Visiting is very important as it really affect my decision in choosing Gettyburg. The last step is to apply to the schools that match your criteria and make a final choice on the ones that accepted you.

don't settle for anything less than perfect

Choose a college that offers a variety of majors, especially those you feel may interest you. Talk to current students at the institution and ask their opinions. Student to faculty ratio was important to me. College is the best thing ever created. It is a not only an opportunity for education, but also a great learning environment for other important "life lessons" that can not be taught, only experienced. Work hard, go to class, and have fun!

Pick a college that fits, not one with a reputation!

When students apply for college, they must consider tons of information. Financial aid, the availability of majors, class ratios, on-campus housing, career placement, recreational facilities, Greek life and diversity are among the hundreds of factors the student must consider. Urban or rural. Large or small. Practical or career-driven. However, most of the criteria are inconsequential. Students, you need to rely on your instinct. Sit down under a tree or on a bench of the school and simply think, will I be happy here? Do I feel I belong? Look around and picture yourself in the area. Despite your classes and research projects, GPA and soroities, this college will be your home for at least 4 years. Yes, think about the academics that you need for your proposed major or field of study. But remember that your interests wax and wane. You will make friends wherever you go. But you aren't just school shopping: you are looking for a place to live. Find the right habitat and the perfect expierence will surely follow.

You need to find the college that you feel the most comfortable at. You may realize that this was not your first choice when you began your college search, but it feels right when you get there. Do not worry about whether or not you have friends there. If you do not, ther are people who are attending the same school as you in the same situation. I suggest that you stay overnight at the schools you are trying to decide between because this will give you a better idea of the social situation. Most schools have students who volunteer to have proepective students stay with them. This is a great opportunity to also make a connection at the school. All in all, it comes down to whether or not you think you will enjoy four years at the school both socially and academically.

Parents: The most important thing for you is to let your son or daughter make the decision for him- or herself. Give them advice, if they ask for it, as parental input is oftentimes the best there is, but remember that you aren't the one spending the next four years at this school; your child is. Students: Go with what feels right. While the opinions of your parents, teachers, and counselors are important and valuable, the final decision is up to you. Look for a school that fits YOUR needs rather than the needs of your parents or other relatives. You need to be able to make the best of what your school has to offer, so make sure that the school you choose actually offers what you need! Once you've found the perfect school and are attending it, be sure to go out on a limb on occasion. It's hard, but it will be worth it in the end. Make a new friend, join a different club, or take an unusual course - you never know what may happen.

It's okay to jump right in and go for something. However, no matter how carefully or randomly you choose your school, there is a chance that it might not be the best thing for you, and don't let that faze you; transferring can also lead to a positive and rewarding experience. The exact titles (prestigious school name, difficult major) mean less than the experiences you gain, as I have learned from recently graduated friends, so just be sure where you are going contributes just as much to your personal and professional growth as it does to your academic growth. Also, be sure to GET ENOUGH SLEEP!, and to have a lot of fun :)

My best piece of advice would be to visit your top choices before making a decision. The school I chose wasn't my top choice and I almost decided to not even bother visiting it after visiting my top choice turned out to be a huge disappointment. But my Dad convinced me we should still go and I am so thankful because I fell in love with Gettysburg and spent an amazing four years there. Had I not visited any of my schools I would have probably just chosen my original first choice and ended up transferring after a semester or two. Instead I graduated in four years, had amazing experiences with all of my extra-curricular activities, and made friends that I still talk to every day, even now that we're living on opposite sides of the country. For making the most of the experience I'd say get involved, whether it's sports, music, Greek life, etc. Being able to do something to help the campus community is a great feeling and really enhances the whole college experience.