Hanover College Top Questions

My advice would be to pick the college that is right for you at this exact time of your life. I wanted to attend a big, urban school far away from home. However, for various reasons, I ended up at a small, rural school a few hours from my parents. While it wasn't the choice I thought I would make, it turned out to be the right one for me at the stage I was in in my life when I left for college.

Imagine what you would absolutely love to do for the rest of your life; not necessarily what career you want to pursue, but rather the active state of your being. Based on this, I would find a school that is reputable in the general field of interest that you have chosen from the previous statement. There is always the chance that you can specialize after graduation, so undergraduate degrees have a lot of flexibility in terms of figuring out what you want out of life and generalizing your degree. For instance, I am a biology major here at Hanover College, yet my focus of study is in plant ecology. This does not limit me either, as I also get to explore the realms of philosophy, theology, anthropology, and geology as special interests outside of my major. The undergraduate degree is designed to educate you. Therefore, you should develop as a well rounded, well studied individual before you specialize in a field. That way you can bring a diversity of experience to the table when you do choose your path for a career or graduate study.

Visit the college, dont let finances get in the way there are scholarships and grants out there if you look for them. and ofcourse go with both your gut instinct and the best fit.

I would say that visiting each school you are looking at for an equal amount of time will help you make the right decision for you or your child. Unfortunately, financial aid is an enormous part of the decision, and for me was the deciding factor. But although I was at first reluctant about the decision I had made to go to the college that offered me more money, I had to make the most out of it. That is exactly what every student needs to do; make the most out of your college experience because if you don't, there's no possible way you're going to have as much fun as is available to you on any college campus.

College is an intense time of change and is a step into finding yourself in the real world. When looking at schools, look around not only at the academics, ask yourself, "can I see myself spending four years here with these people?" The friendships formed at university are as important as the degree. To have the support of a strong community of friends and professors is crucial to having a strong college experience. Once you have picked your university and have arrived, find a social group that will support you (and it is natural if this group evolves and changes during your college years.) In your classes, get to know your professors. They are there because they love teaching and love students. (If not, choose a different university!) Your education will be richer for it. And at the end of four years, you just might need a recommendation, it certainly helps to build those bridges sooner rather than later. Oh, and don't worry about GPA...too much. They are numbers. (Besides some professors start the alphabet with "B.") Remember, its about the knowledge and friendships gained, not numbers on a sheet of paper.

When you visit don't just do a tour but talk to the students you see walking around and take notice of how they look.