Harvard University Top Questions

There is NO failsafe way to make absolutely sure that you are choosing the right school. In fact, I should dispel the myth that there is only ONE right school for you. There are many schools that you will be happy at. Your job is to find out what set of qualities make a college attractive to you. Having said that, it's important to visit each and every school you are SERIOUSLY considering. This means spending a weekend in a dorm, attending classes, talking to students about their experience, exploring the surrounding towns or cities. You will have to spend four years here in this new place, away from your parents and (probably) your high school friends. And when you get there, wherever there is, there is no point in holding back. You're on your own, in a way that you couldn't be in high school, no matter how independent you think you may be. Don't be shy is the most important thing I can say. The fall term of your freshman year will probably not be too rigorous academically. So MEET PEOPLE and HAVE FUN before settling down for three exciting and challenging years.

Choose a college that has the atmosphere you like, preferably close to family or friends, and has all the concentration areas you are interested in. If your college has a distance option, go for it. Distance allows you to be flexible, and have more access to your professors. It is unwise to select colleges solely for their social scene. You are there for classes- don't throw away the opportunity! Develop a strong friend network, join a gym, or other activity to keep the stress down so your grades don't suffer. Study, be safe, and have fun, and graduate!

Don't worry about a school's rankings or its reputation. Look for a campus where you feel at home. Look for a school where people are eager to show you around. Look for a space that you think is beautiful. Don't just follow along on a guided tour; ask questions to students & see how receptive they are. Think about whether they seem happy with their experiences & proud of their school. Pick a place where you can be happy - don't just choose a school because it's 'the best' or because your friend is going there.

Parents should voice their views and give advice to their children on important aspects of a college that should be considered. However, they should encourage their children to choose the college that best fits them according to an informed decision. Students shouls also remember that there is no school that is completely flawless, and that each school has its advantages and disadvantages as no two schools are the same. For these reasons, students should focus on a school that responds to their needs as best as possible and should be prepared to adjust their expectations after arriving on campus in order to benefit the most from a college experience.

Dream big and aim high! Every college has its charms, quirks, and areas where it really shines. I won't lie, some schools have more of these than others. If choosing which college is right for you is a problem, go for the one more people have heard of. If you hear the name on TV or in movies, there's probably a good reason. There is nothing wrong with attending a famous school, and not just for the professors or the alumni or the job market once you graduate. There's more to college than classes and books: Big events, like conventions or symposiums or exhibits, like big venues. Attending a big school is your chance to see them! The college application process is just a game of numbers. If your dream college rejects you, your second choice will accept you. So don't let statistics deter you: Even if a school has a low acceptance rate, it certainly won't accept you if you don't apply. So go for the gold! Apply to whatever school you want, regardless of how you think you'll do. You may be surprised just how good your odds really are!

Go with your gut feeling. It's great to analytically go through all the schools in a rational, comprehensive fashion, but it comes down to where you feel most comfortable when you visit. For most people, all the schools they are looking at are usually comparable academically (otherwise you won't be accepted), so try not to worry about which gives you a better shot at med school or sets you up best for a career. Those things will sort themselves out during your four years. Bottom line, if you work hard then you will have plenty of opportunities no matter where you choose, so try to focus your attention on going to the college that will allow you to enjoy your college experiance the most.

I would say to really do your research. Although choosing to attend Harvard was the best decision I have ever made, I do believe that it is not the right school for everyone. I would recommend to first think about what your goals are and interests are, and then to research extensively which colleges will provide the best possible enviornment for facilitating and achieving those specified desires. Then, I would recommend visiting every single one of these schools. You should not only take a guided tour, but should also stay with a student overnight and attend a class or two to get a feel for the classroom, social, and living enviornments. Finally, rank these schools in the order of your favorites and apply to each of them (and many backup schools). Because there will be many impressive schools on the list, I would recommend spending the most time and effort on the schools that you would most like to attend. Then do a lot of praying and waiting! Last, don't let it get you down-it sucks for everyone, but you will be thrilled that you did all of this work when it all works out for you!

It's actually really hard to follow your gut instinct. I like to think that it is possible to have more than one best fit. It's really hard to make the "right decision" after just a few sit-ins at lectures or even spending a few days on campus. Initially, I think that it's best to narrow down colleges to the top 2 to 4 choices based on gut instinct. Which colleges did you really like and could you see yourself attending and fitting into nicely? Then from those 2 to 4 colleges I would create a list of priorities and rank each college in each category. The highest score at the end wins. For me I looked at financial cost, availability of desired classes/ majors, environment, quality of on-campus housing, atmosphere, the quality of the classes, advising, vibe, etc. It was really difficult for me to make my final decision. When you think that two colleges are equally "the best" for you, pick whichever college ranks the top for your most important priority. You will probably do well at both. I also feel that a positive attitude is the most important quality for success and happiness.

My best advice, which applies to the entire college experience, is to keep everything in perspective and not to worry about the little things. For example, the availability of wi-fi in the dorms does not deserve a place on any college pro-con list. In fact, don't make a pro-con list at all. Instead, visit the schools you are considering, talk to the students, and try to imagine yourself as one of their peers. The same advice applies after you've chosen a school. Many people at college stress about each individual test; while it is important to do well, it is also important to enjoy life. Your college experience should shape you and the way you live your life, and if you simply crawl from exam to exam, scraping by on 5 hours of sleep a night, you will miss the most valuable lessons of your college years. Time spent with friends outside of class can actually be much more educational. So make sure you hit the books, but also make sure you save time for the friends you will keep for the rest of your life.

If possible, visit the college and take a tour of it. Study hard and interact with faculty and other students. Don't be afraid to try something new, whether you want to take your first class in a subject, do research, or join a club.