Gustavus Adolphus College Top Questions

Make sure your child feels comfortable when visiting the campus. Have your child attend a few classes and stay overnight in a dorm so they can get a feel for what college life would be like at that school

I would say to go wherever your heart tells you. I chose a college that was four hours away from home, but I just knew it was the right place for me. You have to be comfortable wherever you go. I had no expectations when I entered into college, because if you think it's going to be a certain way, you'll only get disappointed. I didn't know that I would have roommate issues or change friend groups, and I'm glad that I didn't have any expectations of what college was like, because I really didn't know.

Really look around at all of your options. You can wait and see which schools will give you the best financial aid and decide what kind of education is really worth your money. Liberal Arts schools may seem like an extention of High School, and for awhile I wasn't happy at my own school because it was the only one I applied at. But now that I'm starting to look for jobs, I can see that the skills I've aquired here, are actually valued in businesses in my field of study. I also feel more flexible when looking ahead and acknowledging that I will be changing jobs many times in life. So for me it is most important to have a broader education which creates a stronger foundation for my life ahead, instead of only being educated for one degree and one job. This is a huge decision that goes beyond the four years you spend at the school. But I would suggest a liberal arts education to someone who wants a higher education and a stronger understanding of the world and themselves.

To pick the college that is right for you, you need to listen to your gut reaction. You will know when a college feels like it is right. Go on many college visits and most importantly, stay overnight. Staying with a current student is the best way to know what life at the school is really like. To get the most of your college experience, get involved and be friendly. When you come to college, no one knows who you were in high school so it's an oppurtunity to start over. I was really shy in high school but when I came to college, I started talking to a lot of people and just asking them simply to go to lunch or hang out sometime. It allowed me to get to know a lot of people. Most importantly, have fun. College is supposed to be the best time of your life so make the most of it.

My advice to parents of beginning college students would be to first determine whether or not your child has a good idea of what they want to do in their life. If they do have a good idea, then I would recommend looking for a college that has specialties in the particular field that they are interested in. If they do not have a good idea of the career path they want to take, then I would recommend looking at liberal arts colleges. After you have determined the type of college you are interested in, you can begin looking at colleges that your child thinks they could handle for four years, and you look at the cost of each college, and how much they award for financial aid. In addition to all of this, I would visit the colleges you are most interested in to get a feel for the campus as well as the students who attend it. If you do enough research, the college your child will eventually go to will become apparent.

I would say that there are a few things that I could suggest about the college search. Always include your parents in your choices, always visit a variety of places and always trust your gut feeling. Your parents are your support network, and know you better than you think,trust their judgement and keep their opinions in mind when you make your choice. Visit a bunch of places that you may think you dont like. Try a variety so you can get a better feeling for what is all out there. Ifyou could not decided between the last narrowed choices, take the overnight visit option to really geta feel. Do not let money be a factor, if you really like a college, but the money is pretty steep, talk to a financial aid officer, get help from your gaurdian with the forms and GO! Always go with what you love and what you think you could spend the next four years at. I wish whomever is reading this all the best of luck!

Really pick the school that you think fits you. I found what I think is the best college possible for me. It has everything i'm looking of; a deep sense of community, and a passion for learning. Trust your own judgement and decisions and try not to let the financial aspect determine your decision. Remember, what you learn in college and the overall experience is priceless.

Find a school that you feel completely at home in and one that has other individuals that have similar interests. After graduation you may fell like you want to go far from home, but when you grow up you will find what you truly matters to you. When deciding the right school think of the communities surrounding the school and if that is where you want to leave. When looking into the school look into the extracurricular activities and other social events.

College is about more than academics. College is about allowing a student to find himself. It provides an environment that encourages healthy risk taking so that the student can develop himself into the person that he wants to be. As you try and help your student find the college that will be the best fit for him, keep in mind that the decision is his. You can give your opinions and suggest other factors to look at, but in the end, the student has to decide for himself on what he wants his years in college to be focused. The only way that your student will ever make the most of his college experience is if he really loves the college or university he chooses to attend. It is only through feeling completely accepted and comfortable at school that any student will ever be able to fully experience what college has in store for him.

The first thing to do after you decide to pursue a college degree is to visit many different colleges in order to determine what is right for you. Try to visit a large state school, a smaller private school, a trade school, two year school, etc. If you don't have enough time to visit all of these, make sure to research, research, research. It is important to know that you are making a very important decision, therefore you should make an informed one! Also remember that whatever school that you decide on does not have to be the school that you stay at. As a transfer student myself, I know what it is like to regret your decision and how hard it can be to transfer. Now I can say that I am very involved in my college in various aspects, am excelling in academics, and love my social life. However this did not just happen! As a college student, it is up to you to find your passions and get involved on campus. Always remember that it is your future, no one elses. As long as your heart is in it, you will go far!