Gordon College Top Questions

College, in general, encompasses four years of your life. My advice? Pick what is best for you, as a student and a young adult. The college your best friend of boyfriend picks should not influence your decision. Boyfriends and friends can change a lot as you begin to figure out who you are and what you want. Start with the basics: location, size, and academics. If you like big cities, don't settle for that community college in your hometown. Also don't go across the country if you are content being near home. Size definitely matters. A large campus can offer good sports teams, excellent professors, and a ton of extra-curriculars. A small campus provides an intimate community with small classes and professors that know more than your name. As far as academics, make sure a given school has all majors you may be interested in. Statistics, and my experience, say that you will change your major. Parents, you are important to this process. Encourage your child to follow his dreams, not yours. The more freedom you give him or her the more he will respect you and often seek out your help.

Go to Gordon.

Unless you are absolutely (or at least mostly) sure that college is really what you want to do, and you have a pretty good idea of what you want to do career-wise, I highly recommend taking some time off before you decide to go off to college. Time in "the real world" can do a lot to give you more focus; you may find that what you do in your time off (i.e. volunteering, working full-time) will awaken desires to do similar types of work beyond college thaty you may not hae been exposed to in high school. This time will also help teach you responsibility and skills that will help you immensely once you actually get to college (such as learning how to stick to a budget or work with a group of people you don't like). Working may also give you an oppritunity to earn money to offset the cosst of tuition and supplies.

Many factors go into finding the right college or university. Prospective students and their parents must consider location, size, academics, tuition, housing, study abroad programs, internship and community involvement opportunities, and many others. One factor that is often put aside is the institutions values and attitude towards work and dedication. The college or university's values are so important because they are reflected within the student body. As a prospective student, you will be most satisfied when are are able to identify with your peers as well as learn from and challenge yourself alongside of them. When you have found an academic institution that you feel you can identify with, location, whether distance from home, or urban, rural, or suburban setting, size, and housing are factors that will matter much less. Finally, when it comes down to making the decision, follow your instinct. Chances are, unconsciously, you will know where you want to be, and you will be satisfied with the decision and have no regrets. No matter where you go, you will make friends, adapt, grow, and learn.

Find a college with a good community. Do not worry too much about student loans, it is worth it for the experience.

Many students find that what they thought they wanted in college isn't being fulfilled at the one they attend. I would advise students not to be afraid of changing. Transfering is always an option and a person is never to late to take the initiative to make their own college experience an enjoyable and rewarding one. Just because you start at one place doesn't mean you have to finish there. A different school gives a completely different experience, and each experience is valuable. No college is necessarily right or wrong for a person. College is what you make of it and it really helps to be proactive about the entire experience.

Visit! When you do make that visit, pay attention to how you're feeling...do you feel comfortable there? Look at the students around you, do they look weird to you or do they look like people you want to know. Don't be afraid to make judgements based on your gut reactions, pay attention to your feelings when you're visiting the school. You want to be careful about basing your decision entirely on how you feel about the visit, but don't ignore your instincts! (Remember that you're going to have to live there for a while!...under sometimes stressful conditions. You want to be comfortable at the school.) Talk to students...don't let yourself be trapped by admissions, go out and visit for yourself, talk to students. (You might be meeting your future friends!)

Research research research !

As a college senior I have give a lot of thought to whether or not a chose the right college for me. I originally chose the college I attend based on financial reasons, where it was located, and how beautiful the campus was. The reasons I have stayed at this college are very different. I've stayed at Gordon because it challenges me. It continually puts me out of my comfort zone and helps me grow as an individual. Staff and faculty have encouraged and helped me to think critically and thoughtfully interpret the world. So I would say yes, it is important to choose a college based on whether or not you will be happy where it is located or you are able to afford it. But more than anything I would say it is important to choose a college that will challenge you as an individual and force you to reevaluate your values and ideals. On a practical level this could mean any number of things, but it certainly means that there is a faculty that actively engages with its students and a student body that is thoughtful and engaged in the world.

I would tell parents and students to look for a school that feels comfortable - that provides an environment in which the student feels that they will be able to grow, be challenged, yet not be overwhelmed. I would encourage students to consider both the positive and negative experiences of their high school careers and use them to direct them in their college search. Upon arriving at college, I would encourage students and parents to give it time. A student should not return home during the first couple of weeks. Every student will go through some adjustment stage, but the best way for this to happen is to stay in the environment - you'll get used to it! However, parents - during that time send cards, call, make sure that your student does not feel abandoned or trapped. Students, get involved, find an activity that interests you - no matter how much you love or hate your roommate, they're most likely not going anywhere any time soon - so get involved and meet new people outside of your living situation. Lastly, do your work! Don't get lost in the chaos of freedom your first semester, enjoy life, have fun, do your work!