Grove City College Top Questions

Before starting your search, write down 1 or 2 key things you absolutely must have in a college, and 2 or 3 you would really like. Grove City had my main qualification, and my 3 important ones! Also, make sure you visit the campus, and don't underestimate the importance of a beautiful campus. It's so relaxing to just walk from my dorm to class and vice-versa because of the beauty of Grove City's campus. I also love how close the dorms are to each other, so it's easy to visit your friends. Distance from home is also important, as you might want it far enough away to keep you from driving home every weekend, but close enough so you can still go home for breaks without too much trouble. (I would recommend the neighborhood of 6 hours.) Most importantly, don't get too obssessed with school work. When it's all said and done, it's the memories of the relationships and good times you had that last the longest. Pick a school we're you'll click with the people, the culture, and the community, and you won't regret your decision.

When it comes to finding the right college, it is important to have goals for your education experience and seek a school that will best fit that mold. The right college will look different to everyone but the best fit is always out there. Visit campuses and talk to people from the school. Find out what other student?s opinions are of the school. To make the most of your college experience, get involved on campus and with friends in activities that will last even beyond your college years. Friendships from your college time of life last a lifetime. This is your time to experiment in different areas of life in trying out new things and expanding your horizons. You will never know how much you could love something if you have never tried it. Be bold and confident and stick to your opinions. Take advantage of all the experiences your college/university can offer. Start new programs to share a love or talent you have with others. This is an incredible time of life, make the most of it!

As our country heads into harder times and people are beginning to pinch their pennies, it becomes very clear that price tags do not necessarily reflect quality. Before getting set on a certain option, make sure that you know what you're doing this for. For students who want to get anywhere, the time for just going to college for the sake of going and having fun are over. Sure, there will be certain students who will do well despite their social life, but college shouldn't be based on the social aspect. It's been built up that way to the incredible disadvantage of our student base.

First: the best way to find the right college is to broadly research. Reading up on and visiting several schools in different geographical settings can give you a good idea of what you like in a college and what degree you wish to pursue. Second: don't expect perfection. Every college has flaws--you want to look for a school that has negative aspects that you can deal with. Making the most of your college experience is achieved by keeping a positive outlook. Adjusting to new places is always challenging. The first semester of freshman year is especially difficult, and a lot of students leave a few weeks after the beginning of school because they are unhappy. Sticking it out for at least a semester before leaving is usually the wisest course of action. On the other hand, though, do not be afraid to transfer if you rationally deduce that the college you originally chose is not a good fit for you. Furthermore, get to know as many students and professors as possible. The more friends that you have encouraging you and the closer you are with your professors, the more you will learn and enjoy your college years.

Don't feel pressured in to picking a major right away. I went in to college with a major in place already. Now, looking back on it, I wish I had taken a broader range of classes and my major may have changed. Also, there are lots of schools out there and the perfect fit for one person could be the worst place for another. If you begin school at one place, but are not happy, there is no shame in switching schools. Go where you'll be happy and learn the most. That is what will best prepare you for your future. College is a great time of life, so don't spend it being miserable.

"Look to your left, look to your right, your future spouse might be in sight." That's how my freshman orientation to college began. Many (if not all) campuses seem to have sayings that are unique to them. Pay attention to these gimmicks. Find someone on the campus you're looking at, and ask them to use a student-perpetuated quote to describe thier campus community. If you asked my friend Matt, for example, to describe his rustic forestry school, he would call it a place where "the men are men and the women are too." Students have a way of using catchy sayings like that to cut right to the essence of their environment. Beyond learning campus catchphrases, my advice is simple: don't stress. When my friend Jonny was in high school, he drove a state away to look at a college he was interested in. He got out of the car, took in a deep breath, and said, "Smells like home. I'm goin' here." You, like Jonny, are an intelligent person. You know what's right for you and what's not. Identify your needs and wants, and if a place just smells right, go there.

I would advise that they would take their time to find the place that fits them the best. Colleges are businesses and we can sometimes be drawn into their marketing schemes with beautiful pictures and eye-catching statistics that they use to advertise. It is important to find out the bad things about the school...those things that they do not want you to know. I would also recommend visiting the college and spending a few days and nights there with other current students to get a better feel of what the college is all about. I would suggest that you do not choose a college simply based on the fact that your parents/relatives/friends went there and they had a great time. Experiences are relative and college life at a particular school changes from year to year, not to mention over generations. So the most important thing is to get out and visit many different colleges in many different regional areas. Go with the one that you feel the most comfortable being there and makes you feel like you are at home.

Visit the campus.

You have to fall in love with the school that you are going to attend, it is the only way that you can be sure that your college experience will be one that you will enjoy and the only way to get the most out of your experience. You have to FALL IN LOVE with everything that the school has to offer.

First, take a deep-breath and relax. This is such an exciting time in your life, so don't be stressed or worried. Throw away all the stigmas and expectations of attending an ivy league school. Instead, look at you. Who are you? What do you love most about life? Find a school that matches you. To be honest, there are many schools where you can get a great education, so finding the right college is all about falling in love. Fall in love with the classes; fall in love with the campus. When you fall in love with a school, then you don't mind the small things that may annoy you. No school is perfect and if you don't fall in love with your school then you won't be happy. You deserve to be happy. So find a place where you can love, laugh, and live. Smile and jump in!