Haverford College Top Questions

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would firstly tell myself to calm down and that everything was going to turn out fine. Then I would tell myself that I would need another extension cord and more hangers. Finally I would tell myself to not be afraid to socially impose myself on my peers. In other words, to not worry about if my neighbors want to hang out with me, just go and hang out with them! Everyone starting college is in the same, friendless, lonely boat, so if you do not put yourself out there you will never get close with those people who you think seem cool from a distance. I would also tell myself to keep my door open when I was just hanging out in my room, because it makes you seem like a more friendly person. Finally I would encourage myself to take advantage of study spaces around campus because sometimes it's easier to concentrate when you're not in your bedroom surrounded by your undone laundry and unread books. This is your campus, use it!

Looking back, the most important piece of advice I could give myself as a high school senior would be to not stretch myself too thin during the first semester in college. During high school, I always prided myself in my ability to shoulder a workload that the mere thought of would cause others to shudder. I took more AP classes than anyone else and still managed to run on the track team. College, however, isn't as easy as high school. You can't get away with taking an intense courseload, playing a sport, and adjusting to the college lifestyle at the same time. I am not, however, saying that I would encourage anyone, especially myself, to slack during the first semester. I would just discourage overburdening myself with a rigorous courseload when it would be easier to space the work out throughout the year instead of cramming it all into one semester. I would tell myself that in order to succeed in all aspects of your college career, you have to evenly distribute your time and effort. You have to balance your endeavors if you want a high degree of success.

When finding the right college, I would suggest that students apply and consider the schools that they could truly see themselves at and where they could most likely reach their goals. They should not plan to go somewhere just for the name of the school or choose a place solely based on finances. They need to pick a school where they feel they would be the most happy with; otherwise, the students would not enjoy their college experience to the extent that they potentially could. I strongly suggest that parents should not push their children into picking a school that fits more for the parents and not the students. Rather, the parents or legal guardians should support the students along the way and offer encouragement or positive advice when the students are unsure of what to do in the college process. Once in college, the students need to make sure they maintain a healthy, balanced life between their academics and social environment. Students must focus on their academics and develop a good, supportive circle of friends, not just within their year but also including upperclassmen and professors (who can certainly offer additional advice and guidance).

1) Though it is cheesy, make a list of what you want out of a college, no matter how crazy. What is it that you want to get out of college? Is it good prep for a great career, great friends, interesting academic/social experiences, chance to try something new or even be someone new, valuable connections for your future, a place different from high school and life at home, chance to change and grow, to find people who discusses Kant or Shakespeare at all times of the night, or time to find and define oneself? Find out what you want and chase it. 2) Don't read the things college sends you first. Read the "student says" accounts or visit the school and talk to students. Once you find reviews that match what you want, read more personal accounts. Look for the personality of the school. Then read what the school tells you. Schools are trying to sell their school with similar lines with other schools. What's really important is how you will experience and thrive at your ideal college. 3) Apply and decide what's best based on past experiences, present goals, and future investment. Good Luck!!

Firstly, I think parents should try to allow their child to select the best fit for them, although I realize it's a parent's responsibility to look out for a child. As for the students themselves, I think that it's important for a student to select an academic institution that reminds him or her of him/herself. That is, students should see their philosophies about learning and life reflected in the institution they choose to attend. It is important to be comfortable at college. On the other hand, it is also important for students to select schools that will challenge their current beliefs by virtue of a diverse student body, the school's location, the school's size, or in the courses offered at the college. In that sense, it is important to a student to find him/herself in a new position that brings both comfort and challenge.

Spend a night at the college- You can't possibly understand the college from a walking tour around campus. You'll need to follow a student around, go to some classes, spend the night, go to a party. That's the best way to know what you'll be geting. As for making the most of the college experience, it's about balancing school work and friends and sports/clubs etc.. College is expensive so don't forget what you're there for: learning. But then again, it's about making new friends, finding your identity and who you are and who you want to become. College isn't for the closeminded, it's about transition, and growing, and becoming someone new: an adult who is able to find a job, a home, maybe a family and enjoying every second of it.

The first step to finding a college that is comfortable is reading as much about it as possible, the next step is to then visit the campus. When you visit a campus you can sit in on classes, talk to students and professors and really experience the campus itself. When you walk around you can get a feel for what it will be like to move around and live on campus. After all, it will be your new home for the next four years! Another aspect of finding the right college is finding a place where you think that you can have both a successful academic AND social experience. To do this, again, reading and visiting are the best ways to go about it. Try to imagine if you want somewhere were you will have few distractions (e.g. not on the beach) or somewhere that has places for you to go escape from it all (e.g. nearby nature trails). Find out what the library is like and other study spaces. If you feel like you will really need to party on the weekends, find out if there is Greek life, or if campus is near a city.

Knowing yourself and realizing what it is that you want out of four years at college is KEY to choosing the right school. Oftentimes people are distracted by the level of fame a school has or the appeal of certain aspects of a school, like social life or facilities, rather than the overall picture. There are things like curriculum, class-size, and availability of professors and academic advisors that for me ended up being way more important than I realized going into college. Realizing where your goals lie and combining that with what can be a realistic choice for a school (i.e. based on price, location, etc.) is definitely key to choosing the right school. Taking the time to stay overnight, visit a class, and communicate with administrators on campus before applying or matriculating is also really important, and will help influence the right, informed decision.

Go somewhere that 'clicks.' It doesn't have to be the most elite, the most prestigious, or the prettiest -- if you feel comfortable, you should be there.

Decide what you want out of college and then start searching for ones that fit your expectations. Then add some to the mix just in case you change your mind. Most importantly, visit the college/university and see what they're really like before making a decision.